The Story of NOW That's What I Call Music in 100 Artists

Everyone remembers their first NOW album. Since NOW That's What I Call Music Volume 1 was released in 1983 on double vinyl and double cassette, NOW has become synonymous with pop music and has featured some of the most iconic artists of the last three decades.

To celebrate the release of the 100th NOW album, The Story of NOW That's What I Call Music in 100 Artists looks back at some of the most memorable - and occasionally regrettable - hits of the last 35 years!

Jam packed with amazing facts and 'Well I never!' moments about the 4,000+ artists to have graced the NOW track listings - from Phil Collins to Pharrell, Bananarama to Lady Gaga and Peter Andre to Pet Shop Boys - The Story of NOW is a celebration of pop music through the decades. So plug in your earphones and pump up the volume, because this party is just getting started!

“'It was such a thrill seeing our first single 'I Know Where It's At' make it onto a NOW compilation - a real 'pinch me' moment. They've really become part of the history of pop music in this country and we're very lucky to have several of our songs featured over the years.' All Saints”

'It was such a thrill seeing our first single 'I Know Where It's At' make it onto a NOW compilation - a real 'pinch me' moment. They've really become part of the history of pop music in this country and we're very lucky to have several of our songs featured over the years.'
All Saints

'NOW! has been an integral part of the pop music landscape in the UK since the 80s. The fact that NOW! is still going strong just shows that music fans still love to discover music in this way, and compilations of hit singles often define specific years for many people.'
Kim Wilde

'I grew up with the NOW albums and it was a real moment when our first single was on there. NOW only had the biggest songs of the time on it - the best of the best - so it was such a big deal to me. To then see nearly all of our singles go on different compilations is such an honour. I still can't believe Girls Aloud have been featured on more NOW albums than any other group.' Kimberley Walsh

Michael Mulligan was born on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, which is where he purchased his first single, 'School's Out' by Alice Cooper. As a teenager he'd buy as many as five music newspapers each week (when there were such things) and would gauge the growth of his music knowledge by his ability to finish the crossword puzzle.

Shortly before NOW That's What I Call Music Volume 17 was released he got a job in his local record shop. For the next twenty-five years he worked in all manner of music retailers, and more recently he has been a consultant for record labels, mining their archives for overlooked gems.

Michael once made Kylie Minogue laugh, and has the photographic evidence to prove it. Though it is entirely possible she was just being polite. He lives in north London with two cats, a patient and indulgent wife and a 'no way too large' record collection.

Everyone remembers their first NOW album. Since NOW That's What I Call Music Volume 1 was released in 1983 on double vinyl and double cassette, NOW has become synonymous with pop music and has featured some of the most iconic artists of the last three decades. To celebrate the release of the 100th NOW album, The Story of NOW That's What I Call Music in 100 Artists looks back at some of the most memorable - and occasionally regrettable - hits of the last 35 years! Jam packed with amazing facts and 'Well I never!' moments about the 4,000+ artists to have graced the NOW track listings - from Phil Collins to Pharrell, Bananarama to Lady Gaga and Peter Andre to Pet Shop Boys - The Story of NOW is a celebration of pop music through the decades. So plug in your earphones and pump up the volume, because this party is just getting started!

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