Allan Jones (editor)
Encyclopedia
Allan Jones is a British music journalist
and editor
.
Following graduation, Jones took a job in the stock room of Hatchards
on Piccadilly. While there he applied for a writing opening at the rock weekly Melody Maker
with a letter that concluded, "Melody Maker needs a bullet up its arse. I’m the gun – pull the trigger". He joined the staff in 1974, became editor
ten years later. Jones was described on stage by Roger Waters
as a "stupid shit" after writing a scathing review of Pink Floyd
's The Wall
show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre
. During his tenure, Melody Maker provided early publicity for bands ranging from The Stone Roses
to Pearl Jam
. One of Jones's most significant early decisions was to resist the publisher's instruction to put Kajagoogoo
on the cover; instead, Jones chose The Smiths
.
In 1997, Jones left to become editor of music and film monthly Uncut
, a position he retains today. Launched at the same time as Total Film
and Neon (magazine)
, Jones changed the periodical's focus almost overnight from music to the intersection of music and film. Under his editorship Uncut won Consumer Specialist Magazine of the Year and International Consumer Magazine of the Year PPA Awards
in 2003, and Consumer Specialist Magazine of the Year in 2004.
Jones was a fan of Jethro Tull
and Yes
in their early incarnations but as he explained in Uncut magazine in 2011, he lost interest in the bands as they embraced the excesses of progressive rock
: "It didn't take punk to turn me off bands like Jethro Tull and Yes, who in their earlier incarnations I liked. They did it themselves with the wholly pompous music they started making when they began to take themselves too seriously. That did it for me and it had nothing to do with Year Zero, Johnny Rotten or Sid Vicious
."
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and editor
Literary editor
A literary editor is an editor in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication who deals with aspects concerning literature and books, especially reviews. A literary editor may also help with editing books themselves, by providing services such as proof reading, copy-editing, and literary...
.
Following graduation, Jones took a job in the stock room of Hatchards
Hatchards
Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in London, and the second oldest bookshop in the United Kingdom. It was founded by John Hatchard in 1797 on Piccadilly in London, from where it still trades today...
on Piccadilly. While there he applied for a writing opening at the rock weekly Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
with a letter that concluded, "Melody Maker needs a bullet up its arse. I’m the gun – pull the trigger". He joined the staff in 1974, became editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
ten years later. Jones was described on stage by Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
as a "stupid shit" after writing a scathing review of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre, conference and event venue located in west London, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground stations, Earl's Court and West...
. During his tenure, Melody Maker provided early publicity for bands ranging from The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
to Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
. One of Jones's most significant early decisions was to resist the publisher's instruction to put Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo are a British pop band, best known for their hit single, "Too Shy", which reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 5 on the U.S...
on the cover; instead, Jones chose The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
.
In 1997, Jones left to become editor of music and film monthly Uncut
UNCUT (magazine)
Uncut magazine, trademarked as UNCUT, is a monthly publication based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections...
, a position he retains today. Launched at the same time as Total Film
Total Film
Total Film is a British film magazine published 13 times a year by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers film, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features...
and Neon (magazine)
Neon (magazine)
Neon was a British film magazine published monthly by Emap Consumer Media from December 1996 to February 1999. It attempted to be a refreshing alternative to other UK film magazines such as Empire....
, Jones changed the periodical's focus almost overnight from music to the intersection of music and film. Under his editorship Uncut won Consumer Specialist Magazine of the Year and International Consumer Magazine of the Year PPA Awards
PPA Awards
The PPA Awards are presented annually by the Periodical Publishers Association to recognise and reward editorial and publishing excellence and outstanding achievements of the individuals, publications and brands in the British magazine sector....
in 2003, and Consumer Specialist Magazine of the Year in 2004.
Jones was a fan of Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
in their early incarnations but as he explained in Uncut magazine in 2011, he lost interest in the bands as they embraced the excesses of progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
: "It didn't take punk to turn me off bands like Jethro Tull and Yes, who in their earlier incarnations I liked. They did it themselves with the wholly pompous music they started making when they began to take themselves too seriously. That did it for me and it had nothing to do with Year Zero, Johnny Rotten or Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious was an English musician best known as the bassist of the influential punk rock group Sex Pistols...
."