16 Magazine

16 Magazine was a fan magazine based out of New York City. It was the first magazine marketed to adolescents that focused exclusively on celebrities. 16 Magazine is sometimes credited by those in the publishing and entertainment industries as a primary influence in shaping rock journalism.

Origins
Founded in 1956, the first issue hit the newsstands in May 1957, with Elvis Presley on the cover. It was published quarterly. The cost was 15 cents an issue. The magazine was, initially, edited by men writing under female pseudonyms, and it closely followed the style of more traditional movie magazines such as Photoplay.

However, its longtime editor in chief, former fashion model and subscriptions clerk, Gloria Stavers, transformed the magazine from a standard general interest movie magazine into a major fan magazine that focused on the pre-teen female as its primary readerbase. Stavers was the editor in chief from 1958 until 1975. She chose to cater to that particular demographic because of the many fan letters she had read from girls aged nine through 12 who were writing to popular celebrities in care of the magazine. She remembered how she felt at that age, and she developed a formula as to how to increase the readership of the magazine within that demographic.

Content
The magazine covers attracted readers by featuring sensational and hyperbole-laden headlines such as "The Day He Almost DIED!", head shots of various male actors and singers, and very whimsical artwork. Although the newsprint type of paper was used for the articles, the magazine did feature colorful, glossy pin-up poster art. Many pre-teens purchased 16 Magazine primarily for the posters, rather than the articles, and those posters often helped to bolster, and in some cases hinder, the careers of many teen idols.

Prior to the 1970s, most of the pin-ups of the celebrities were kept clean cut, but the magazine began to increasingly sexualize the posters they featured, in keeping with the more permissive times. 16 Magazine also often offered contests that would give the winning person an opportunity to have a "meet and greet" with their favorite performer.

Most of the articles and features tended to lean on the lighter side. Rather than asking the artist serious questions about musical influences and social issues, it would offer the readers interviews asking a celebrity about his favorite color or meal, or would have him describe his "ideal girl" or dream date. If the celebrity was married, in a long term relationship or was not heterosexual in orientation, that information was kept out of the magazine, as was any news about the celebrity that even hinted at scandal.

However, there were times when 16 Magazine did push the envelope in its content, such as when Stavers published an obituary for her friend, the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. She also attempted to expand the perception of teen idols by featuring such unlikely candidates as Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy and shock rock pioneer Alice Cooper.

In 1997, in honor of its 40th year of publication, former 16 magazine editors Randi Reisfeld and music critic Danny Fields published the commemorative book "Who's Your Fave Rave?". It is a history of the magazine, and a biography on its long-time editor in chief. It was styled to resemble an issue of the magazine. There was also an accompanying CD of the same name, featuring many of the pop acts promoted in the magazine throughout the years.

No Advertising Policy
Despite the lack of serious journalistic content and fierce competition from Tiger Beat and other celebrity magazines, 16 remained the top selling teen celebrity magazine for many years. They accomplished this feat without accepting any outside advertising. Even without advertising revenue, at the height of its popularity, 16 Magazine had more than 5,000,000 readers.

For at least 30 years of publishing, 16 Magazine was entirely self-supporting. The "no advertisements" policy changed when 16 Magazine was acquired by Primedia in the 1990s. In 2001, 16 became part of their Teen Magazines groups and is considered a monthly "specials" issue focusing on a specific topic or act.

Despite this, no regular or special issue of 16 Magazine was seen or published since—not even a website. By this time, newer teen magazines had taken over like J14, M Magazine, Popstar! Magazine, and the "resurrected" Tiger Beat.

1950s
In the 1950s, some of the teen idols featured in the pages of 16 Magazine included Elvis Presley, Paul Anka, Dion, and Mousketeer Annette Funicello.

1960s
During the 1960s, 16 magazine introduced its readers to a variety of rock and roll/pop music acts, referred to by the editor and readers as "Faves." Some of those acts include the Beatles, Herman's Hermits, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Monkees, Jim Morrison, and The Doors. The appearance of the "faves" was highly selective. Some acts such as the Rolling Stones received very little coverage in 16 Magazine in comparison to other bands, and many of the popular Motown acts were virtually ignored.

1970s
In the 1970s, the magazine began focusing its attention primarily on bubblegum and pop acts, such as the Osmond Brothers (with particular emphasis on Donny Osmond), David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman, The Bay City Rollers, Rick Springfield, Jack Wild, Kiss and other performers. With the exception of The Jackson 5 and Sajid Khan, racial minorities were seldom featured on the covers. The appearance of female celebrities on its covers was also rare, but from time to time, a female star such as Maureen McCormick,or Karen Carpenter might write the occasional beauty or dating advice column for the magazine.

1980s and Beyond
During the 1980s and well into the 1990s, the magazine continued to serve up one "boy band" after another, from New Wave artists like Duran Duran to N'Sync. However, Destiny's Child broke the racial and gender barrier when they appeared on the cover.