Just Seventeen, gone but not forgotten!
Celebrating 30 years since the launch of Eighties teen bible
* Launched in 1983 but closed in 2004 after circulation fell by a third
* Cover stars included Ronan Keating, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Mandy Smith
* Stylist.co.uk pays tribute to the magazine that 'defined our teenage years'
Thirty years ago this month influential teen magazine Just Seventeen landed on newsagents' shelves.
With its hunky cover stars (Ronan Keating in a lilac satin shirt is just one example), sex tips and informative advice pages for girls who might have 'gone too far behind the bike sheds', J17, as it came to be known, was the best thing about Wednesdays.
The publication folded in 2004 after losing a third of its readership, but Stylist.co.uk have paid tribute to the magazine that defined our teenage years (and beyond) with a brilliant open letter this week ...
"Dear Just Seventeen, we know you won't read this now that you're gone, but we owe you a thank you. We only spent a few years together, but I'll never forget them.
When we met, we weren't 'just seventeen' at all. We were barely 13, stuck in small towns and dreaming of more.
All we remember of our first encounter was that we were quickly smitten. With your advice (yes to backcombed hair, no to sensible shoes), celebrity gossip and knowledge of all things boy-shaped, you were like the most popular girl at school… except you actually wanted to hang out with us.
Every Wednesday we would hot-foot it to the newsagent and hand over 70p and revel in your company.
The shop shelves were filled with other teen mags, but they were never as cool as you.
OK, so you had a fondness for Terry from East 17. But you also introduced us to Keanu Reeves, The Smashing Pumpkins, Damon Albarn and River Phoenix.
Although, as we learned from real life stories such as, 'Suspended For Loving Keanu', it's important to keep your celebrity crushes in perspective.
While other mags swooned over 90210 heartthrob Jason Priestley, you leaned towards bad boy Luke Perry who was much hotter.
You championed outsiders and made us feel slightly less of one.
You didn't flaunt flashy clothes or expensive make-up, but taught us how to make a banana face scrub - utilised pre-school disco. And when he still didn't ask us to dance, you helped us with 'Make Him Yours With Zero Effort'.
You taught us boys (aka boyfs) were fun - but friends were better. And you talked about sex a lot, which we didn't always quite understand but we still read and stored away for future knowledge.
But despite our infatuation, in the end, it was us who dumped you for a glossier, more experienced crowd. Although, they were never as fun as you.
A few years later, you shortened your name to J-17, and only came out once a month.
Teenagers were growing up fast and suddenly didn't feel the need for your sassy thinkpieces and cool quizzes.
We feel sorry for them today with their Snapchat, they haven't had your knowing hand to guide them away from mistakes and towards self-confidence.
We hoped we'd meet again when we were older and working on a magazine.
But in 2004, you went away forever. followed by those other teen titles Sugar, Smash Hits and More!.
We still miss you, but at least we've got Luke Perry. "
