Juke Magazine (1975 – 1992) – Nostalgia Central

Three months after Sydney-based RAM (Rock Australia Magazine) got underway in 1975 with editor Anthony O’Grady, Melbourne came up with its own music magazine, Juke, helmed by ex-Go-Set editor Ed Nimmervoll.

Juke picked up syndication of the English music paper Sounds, but within three months, it was in financial trouble.

Its original backers had pulled out, and Nimmervoll approached the publishers of the Melbourne daily newspaper The Age – they offered to back him, and Juke continued without missing a single issue.

A key and popular feature of the magazine was its extensive gig guide, particularly of Melbourne’s music scene.

Allan Webster took over as editor and stayed with Juke until 1979, gradually shifting its emphasis away from the teenybopper to a more ‘hard news’ stance and a stronger local orientation.

When Graham Simpson took over from Webster, the paper broadened its horizons even more.

The only local publication of its kind to appear weekly, Juke in the main avoided aligning itself with fads and trends and evolved into a general music paper.

Juke folded in 1992.

Notable Juke staff included featured Australian music journalist Christie Eliezer and rock photographers such as Graeme Webber, Bob King, Tony Mott and David Parker.