How Andy Warhol turned a rejected press pass into a cultural institution
In short: Founded in 1969, Interview magazine began as a modest film journal before evolving into a glamorous, conversational record of pop culture. By transcribing casual chats with celebrities and pairing them with bold photography, it became a mirror of Andy Warhol’s social world and a definitive voice of the era.
Andy Warhol launched Interview in October 1969 alongside journalist John Wilcock. While Warhol later joked he started it to give his friend Brigid something to do, founding editor Gerard Malanga suggested a more practical origin: Warhol had been denied press credentials for the New York Film Festival and needed a publication to secure them. The magazine initially focused on film criticism, paying homage to the 1940s literary journal View, but soon shifted toward the eclectic, conversational style that defined its legacy.
The magazine’s unique format relied on literal transcriptions of taped conversations, often held at restaurants, featuring a mix of artists, musicians, and political figures. Warhol, who carried a tape recorder in his pocket, aimed to publish only "good news" in contrast to the grim headlines of the day. By the 1970s, the publication had transformed into a reflection of Warhol’s social life, described by executive editor Bob Colacello as a "great dinner party" in print. This era saw the introduction of the iconic cursive logo designed by Richard Bernstein and a signature aesthetic featuring full-page portraits of "beautiful people."
Ownership and leadership evolved significantly over the decades. After Warhol’s death in 1987, Brant Publications acquired the magazine for $10 million in 1989. Following years of editorial shifts and a brief bankruptcy filing in 2018, the magazine was purchased by a company owned by Peter Brant. Despite these transitions, Interview remains a landmark of 20th-century media, having bridged the gap between high art and celebrity culture through its distinct, informal lens.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Interview (magazine)
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