NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Creem, which billed itself as 鈥淎merica's only rock 鈥榥鈥� roll magazine鈥� during two decades of existence that ended in 1989, is being revived next month.
The return is a remarkable story of persistence by J.J. Kramer, who was bequeathed the magazine at age 4 upon the death of his father, founder Barry Kramer. It will reappear during far different times, with a marketing plan that the or makers of the fake 鈥淏oy Howdy鈥� beer could hardly conceive of.
The first new issue, a glossy quarterly, is due out in September and only available to people who spend $79 for a subscription.
Founded in Detroit, , slightly rude younger brother of Rolling Stone. The name was an intentional misspelling of the rock band Cream, one of the first editor's favorites.
Though known best for Motown soul, Detroit was also a rock 鈥榥鈥� roll hotbed with artists like MC5, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Mitch Ryder and Bob Seger. Hard rocking bands, and then the onslaught of punk, provided the magazine's backbone in its 1970s heyday.
Creem was an incubator of writing talent like Dave Marsh, Robert Christgau, Lisa Robinson, Cameron Crowe and Greil Marcus.
Rock stars weren't put on a pedestal in Creem, and its reviews could be nasty 鈥� along with sexist and profane. Bangs was the toughest, and his was legendary. Creem poked fun at a stuffy Dewar's scotch profiles ad campaign by picturing artists holding beer cans emblazoned with a 鈥淏oy Howdy鈥� logo drawn by .
In a 2019 the magazine, former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe recalled first seeing Creem while in high school detention, realizing that he'd found the perfect gang of misfits.
鈥淏uying Creem was a little bit like buying Playboy,鈥� actor Jeff Daniels said in the documentary. 鈥淵ou didn't want your parents seeing either one of them.鈥�
Kramer's death from a drug overdose in 1981 marked the beginning of the end. His son was named in the magazine's masthead as a preschool 鈥渃hairman of the board.鈥� Barry Kramer's widow, Connie, as publisher and acting on her son's behalf because he was a minor, sold the bankrupt publication in 1985. Creem ceased publishing four years later.
With all the bravado of a 9-year-old, J.J. Kramer remembers telling his mother he would get it back some day.
鈥淚've really spent most of my adult life trying to get to this point,鈥� he told The Associated Press in advance of the revival. 鈥淚t's something I felt like I had to do. There's a magnet that draws me to Creem. It's almost like it was predetermined in a way that I couldn't fight it.鈥�
Kramer regained control of Creem, although it took several years. It helps that he's an intellectual property attorney.
Now he's chairman, again, and has put together a plan for the revival along with John Martin, a former Vice publisher who is CEO of Creem Entertainment. The idea is to make Creem the centerpiece of a media company that includes podcasts, merchandise and branded entertainment.
鈥淲hy is there not a Creemfest?鈥� Martin asked. 鈥淭hat's something that sounds like it should exist and it will exist.鈥�
Yet it's not the 1970s anymore. Rock 鈥榥鈥� roll is no longer as influential in culture as it once was; popular music is dominated by rap and pop. The music press is as diffuse as music itself. The well-made rock 鈥榥鈥� roll glossies on the market, like Mojo or Uncut, are British-based.
Kramer and Martin believe there's still room for a publication that pulls rock 鈥榥鈥� roll fans together, from people who like HAIM to fans of Metallica. The world also needs people who can write about the genre with attitude, Martin said.
鈥淲hen was the last time you laughed when you read about music?鈥� Martin said.
While Bangs, who died in 1982, is no longer around, there are many new voices important to the current scene, some working on forums like Substack, he said.
The first issue's mix of articles speaks to Creem's intended breadth. For nostalgists, there's an excerpt of a never-published book on the Who, a reevaluation of a 1972 rock album put out by the Osmonds and a revival of the 鈥淪tars' Cars鈥� feature with Slash and his wheels. There are stories on newer artists of various popularity levels like Mac DeMarco and Amyl and the Sniffers and personalities from rap and R&B like Lil Aaron and KeiyaA.
Samir Husni, founder and director of the Magazine Media Center, said he's already paid for a subscription and is impressed by the new business plan. Plenty of people remember Creem fondly and would be curious about a reboot, he said.
鈥淭hey are looking for customers who count, instead of counting customers,鈥� Husni said.
That said, magazine revivals are more likely to fail then succeed, he said. A brand may have value, but not if people think time has passed it by. Husni said Creem may have to rethink its plans not to offer the magazine on newsstands or in bookstores.
The revival has been draining physically, emotionally and mentally, Kramer said. There were a number of times he could have 鈥� maybe should have 鈥� walked away, he said.
But he and Martin said they are convinced there is a market for the reimagined Creem, and they have the right plan to reach it.
鈥淲e're not a cover band,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淲e are pulling this magazine and brand forward.鈥�
David Bauder, The Associated Press
