16 Magazine - Content

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.