Happy 60th Jackie Magazine!
Can you believe 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie magazine first hitting the newsstands, and for millions of teens, nothing was ever the same. Chances are, you were one of them!
With advice on everything from boys to make-up and fashion, as well as all the latest gossip and trends, it was a magazine that spoke to a generation of young girls. At its height, Jackie sold a million copies a week!
This best-selling publication was launched in January 1964 and ran until July 1993. Its unique blend of advice, pop pin-ups, features and, of course, its Cathy & Claire problem pages, made it a must-have weekly treat every Thursday.
Despite feeling like a swanky London publication, Jackie was actually produced in Dundee. The bright idea for the publication sprung from the mind’s of those working on our sister magazine, The People’s Friend.
Although Jackie is now an archived publication, it’s still talked about fondly by the readers who grew up with the weekly mag, as well as the DC Thomson employees who worked on it. Many of the staff were just teenagers themselves!
In fact, some of the team are still in the company today, and they’ve come together to bring out a new bookazine, Jackie: 60 Years of Magic, taking a behind the scenes look at the iconic publication.
Jackie magazine was like a big sister for readers
In a recent throwback article by The People’s Friend, Jackie is described as “a big sister for readers”. Her closure was a huge loss to the readers and to everyone involved.
“Jackie’s genius was that it could seem daring and a bit rebellious – in truth it was much more innocent and always had readers’ best interests at heart. And it was all the better for that,” says former Jackie writer, Ali Kirker.
Covers from the archive
Jackie magazine was a title where the cover always made an impact. Like works of art, as well as being a story of the time, taking a look back at these all-important front pages is like taking a walk through recent history.
Do you remember some of these covers from the 60s, 70s and 80s featuring idols like David Cassidy and Donny Osmond? Then why not take a trip down memory lane with the new Jackie: 60 Years of Magic bookazine that celebrates the mag in all its glory?
Packed with amazing archive material, and exclusive features, prepare to be taken back to a world of pop, glitter and hairspray!
Hannah McLaren
I've worked at DC Thomson for six years! I began as an intern at My Weekly and The Scots Magazine, which was extended by a few months to help out at The People's Friend. I then covered maternity as Celebrity Editor for My Weekly, before I became Multimedia Journalist at The Scots Magazine. Currently I'm writing digital content across each title.
