The Old Fan Club Magazines
Over the years there has been only a couple of Judie Tzuke Fan Clubs. From 1980 until 1982 the fan club was run by Kate and consisted of mainly A3 posters with the relevant fan information of the reverse. In 1985 John Shelley started a fan club, lasting for only a couple of years but proving itself as a great asset for any Judie Fan. The details of these newsletters are printed below. I think I've included them all but if I've missed any please let me know.
Winter 1980
An 8 page A5 size booklet containing an introduction from Kate, the newsletter editor, news from the tour by Judie, several photographs from the New York Central Park Concert with Elton John, a discography and a design a T-shirt competition.
Winter 1981
A double sided A3 poster. One side contained a photo of Judie and the group with a 1982 calender. The rear of the poster had 30 small 'on tour' photographs. There was another welcome form Kate, a letter from Paul Muggleton about record producing, the 1982 tour dates, another quick note from Judie, another competition and the introduction of pen-pal and swap sections.
The Tzukettes...
Another 8 page A5 booklet. An Introduction to Judie Tzuke and her group. Some facts and figures.
Spring 1982
Another double sided A3 poster. A very nice picture from the 'Shoot the Moon' photo session. The rear of the poster had the usual welcome from Kate, a crossword, an advert for 'Shoot the Moon', more swap items and a letter from Jeff Rich and John Edwards.
Summer 1982
Again the A3 double sided poster. One side has several black and white photographs of Judie on stage. The rear had another note from Judie and Kate, a wordsearch competition, swaps, pen-pals, a top ten Judie tracks and an advert for Roadnoise.
Winter 1985
A new fan club, a new editor and the introduction of the first of the wonderful John Shelley Fan Club Newsletters. Although resorting to black and white, this 16 page, A5, booklet - similar in design to the 1980 fan club booklet, contained all the ingredients that made the perfect newsletter... well for 1985 anyway!
The contents included a full page introduction from Judie and a welcome from John. There was also a list of all the known radio stations in the UK requesting that we ring and ask for Judie Tracks. The updated discography section was followed by details of what everyone had been up to. A five page interview with Mike Paxman, a competition, a pen-pal section, a merchandise page and a page full of back stage passes.
Spring 1985
Another great magazine from John. The first page carrying an advert for 'I'll be the One'. An introduction from John was followed by a quiz, a four page interview with Judie and the now customery swaps and pen-pal pages. There was also a section listing people who were volunteering to be area reps.
Summer 1985
The Cat Is Out!
Inside the front cover contained the relevant information for the wonderful new album. This was followed by three pages about some idiot trying to get to/from a Judie Tzuke Concert - that wasn't!
The newsletter again following the format of John's previous two. The details of how to get your hands on the 'Nottingham' video were included and John had now also introduced some 'fan' reviews and artwork, another wordsearch puzzle, more details of what Judie and the group had been up to and the usual pen-pal and swaps sections.
Autumn 1985
Yet more splendour. John Shelley's next offering had now introduced the start of a serious of cartoons - although I can't say who they were drawn by because I've promised 'Krys Thomas' that I won't disclose her name!
The front cover carried an advert for the 'This Side of Heaven' single. Again the newsletter contained lots of interesting information about record releases and magazine articles. A post mortem was carried out on why 'The Cat is Out' managed to jump high into the charts and just dropped out again! Tour dates, tour merchandise, a music poll, swaps, pen-pals, another quiz and more cartoons! What more could you ask for?
Summer 1986
A massive time jump from the last one but John's back with a vengeance! Colour!
A massive 28 pages full of information - including the earth shattering 'eight' record deal with Polydor Records! Shame it only lasted one album!
There was now the introduction of a Judie Tzuke Information Telephone Line. Details of Magazine appearances and 'cover versions' were followed by details of 'The Cat Tour' stage layout and instrument details. More 'fans' stories, lyrics, merchandise, crosswords, colour photographs, reviews, swaps, pen-pals, press cuttings, the discography and lots more. A brilliant magazine and well worth the wait.
Summer 1987
Another year has passed. The next newsletter drops through the door. The front cover shows a black and white photograph of Judie and co. collecting the Gold Discs for 'Welcome to the Cruise'. The newsletter however has returned back to the black and white format. John does comment on the lack of news and fan contributions but then when the magazines are a year apart?!
There is however a three page interview with Judie, four pages of press cuttings from 1979/1980, details of what Judie and the group have been up to and some fan contributions.
You could see that John's heart wasn't fully in this and as far as I am aware this was to be John's last attempt and unless I'm mistaken the last fan club newsletter ever to be produced.
Winter 1999
Okay, Okay. I know it's not a newsletter but let's face it the 'Secret Agent' Tour Programme had the same format as John's brilliant 1986 newsletter, only more professional as technology steps in.
The tour programme was only 16 pages but was the ideal base for a newsletter: tour dates; a letter from Judie; a small discogrphy; information/reviews from Ian Taft, Adrian Melia and Huw Knight; colour photographs; group details; a competition; some merchandise information; a page of 'thanks' and some adverts.
All it needed was some pages of pen-pal and swap information, maybe some more crosswords, cartoons and fan contributions, some interviews, more Judie/group details, further record information, web site addresses, etc., etc..
A massive source of information, a must for all Judie fans? The ideal fan newsletter? Worth the money? Who knows - one day?! ;-)
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