📝 The Purple Reign - Four‑Page Special: Jul. 89

A summer ’89 NME issue pairing a Simple Minds cover story with a dedicated four‑page deep dive into Prince’s world at the close of the ’80s.

📅 Publication Date

NME — 8 July 1989

Price: 55p

📝 Summary

This July 1989 issue of NME leads with Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr on the cover, but the standout secondary feature is a four‑page Prince special titled “The Purple Reign.” The smaller inset image of Prince — bathed in purple tones — signals a substantial retrospective or profile inside, capturing him at a pivotal moment between Lovesexy and the Batman soundtrack era.

The cover reflects the eclectic late‑’80s music landscape: from Maria McKee’s collaborations with U2 and Hothouse Flowers to the infamous Plastercaster feature, plus a competition to win Reading Festival tickets. Prince’s presence, even as a secondary story, underscores his cultural dominance — a figure whose artistic evolution demanded multi‑page coverage even when he wasn’t the main cover star.

Key Highlights

Four‑page feature: “Prince — The Purple Reign”

Prince inset photo in purple‑themed styling

Main cover story: Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr

Additional features: Maria McKee, Plastercaster, Reading Festival ticket giveaway

Snapshot of 1989’s diverse music scene

Strong visual contrast between the earthy Simple Minds cover and Prince’s electric purple imagery