See our collections of free music magazines pdf, vintage rock magazine free pdf. Classical, Jazz, Country, Blues, etc. All genres, titles for fans, musicians, & music business.
Click ‘Magazines’ in the top menu to find our free online magazines on over 50 subjects. We have 600+ titles, with thousands of back issues.
We have a wide variety of free music magazines available online. These magazines cover all genres of music and are geared towards both fans and those in the music industry. Whether you’re a musician or a music enthusiast, there are plenty of options.
Music Magazines PDF Free Archives
Band Leaders Magazine
1944-1946
U.S.
Band Leaders was began in 1944 and featured articles about the band leaders, naturally, as well as the band, singers and music of the era.
Beat Selector Magazine
2015- Present
U.S.: Keyser
“America’s preeminent Electronic Music magazine, provides smart, intuitive and uncompromising coverage of the electronic music scene in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
Beatles Monthly Book – Vintage Rock Magazine PDF Free Download
1963-1969
London: Sean O’Mahony
“The Beatles Book (also known as Beatles Monthly) was a fanzine dedicated to the English rock band the Beatles, founded in 1963. It was first published in August 1963 and continued for 77 editions until it stopped publication after the December 1969 edition. It was revived in 1976, and ceased publication in 2003.” – Internet Archive. Vintage rock magazine pdf free download.
Billboard Magazine – PDF Rock
Billboard Magazine Website
1894-2017 at World Radio History
1980-2011
Billboard Co., Cincinnati, OH
“Billboard magazine pdf is an American entertainment media brand owned by the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group, a division of Eldridge Industries. It publishes pieces involving news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style, and is also known for its music charts, including the Hot 100 and Billboard 200, tracking the most popular songs and albums in different genres. It also hosts events, owns a publishing firm, and operates several TV shows.” -Wikipedia.
BRE / Black Radio Exclusive Magazine
1985-1996
Hollywood, CA.: Black Radio Exclusive
Sidney Miller Jr.and Susan Miller started publishing Black Radio Exclusive, popularly known as BRE Magazine, in 1976. It was focused on Black / Urban Radio with music release and artist information and radio airplay charts.
Canadian Musician
Issues 2015 – 2020
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: NWC World
“Canada’s magazine for professional and amateur musicians. Published bi-monthly, Canadian Musician features regular columns on Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds, Vocal, MIDI, Business, Songwriting, Live Sound, Recording and On-Line Music. Also included are classified ads, opportunities for musicians, new releases and new products.” – Publisher.
Cash Box Magazine
1942-1996
NY: Cash Box Inc.
“Cash Box was a weekly magazine dedicated to the music and jukebox industries published from July 1942 to November 1996. An alternative to Billboard Magazine, Cash Box included regional chart data, hit songs by city, radio station, and record sales, popularity by jukebox, and charts by genre including country and R&B music.
Country Music Inquirer Magazine
1983-1985
Nashville: Roy Hall Attractions
All the great Country Music stars are here.
Country Music Life Magazine
1965-1971
California: Country Music Life Publications
Rather than a focus on the stars, there is a lot of industry news.
DownBeat Magazine
DownBeat Magazine Website
1937-1961
Chicago: Maher
DownBeat is an American magazine devoted to “jazz, blues and beyond.” Founded in 1934 in Chicago.
DIY Magazine
2014 – Present
UK: DIY
“The UK’s leading independent alternative music magazine in digital and physical print, published monthly.”
Gramophone Magazine
Gramaphone Magazine Website
2008-2020
London: Mark Allen Group
“Gramophone is a magazine published monthly in London, devoted to classical music, particularly to reviews of recordings. It was founded in 1923 by the Scottish author Compton Mackenzie who continued to edit the magazine until 1961. On its website Gramophone claims to be: “The world’s authority on classical music since 1923.” – Wikipedia.
Guitar Girl Magazine – PDF Rock
2018-2023
Georgia: The Low Group
“The most trusted, relevant, and inspiring female magazine on the market today focused on encouraging, inspiring, and empowering female-identifying guitar and bass players. Our goal is to promote musicians and to provide relevant music industry news, guitar gear reviews, fun rock lifestyle finds, insider tips and advice, lessons, and special features that will engage and inspire our readers.”
Hammond Times Magazine
1957-1969
Illinois: Hammond Organ Co.
“Newsletter produced by Hammond Organ Co. for Hammond organ owners.”
Headliner Magazine – PDF Rock
2014- Present
UK: Headliner
“Headliner is a music lifestyle and technology publication which supports the creative community of artists, music professionals, and enthusiasts.”
High Fidelity Music Magazine
1951-1989
U.S.
“High Fidelity was an American magazine that was published from April 1951 until July 1989 and was a source of information about high fidelity audio equipment, video equipment, audio recordings, and other aspects of the musical world, such as music history, biographies, and anecdotal stories by or about noted performers. – Wikipedia.
Hits Magazine – Hits Magazine Online
Hits Magazine Website
1987-2002
U.S.
“Hits magazine is an American music industry trade publication. Founded by Lenny Beer and Dennis Lavinthal, who had previously worked in independent promotion, it was launched as a print magazine in August 1986. It quickly became one of the more widely circulated “tip sheets” with considerable record industry support.” Hits magazine online.
The Independent Music Show Magazine
The Independent Music Show Magazine Website
Issues 2017 – Present
Independent Music Show
Magazine produced for the Independent Music Show radio program that is broadcast on stations around the world. It includes a program schedule, links to independent music, and articles and news.
JazzTimes Magazine
JazzTimes Magazine Website
1994-2004
Silver Spring, MD Glenn Sabin
“America’s preeminent jazz magazine relies on an award-winning staff to provide uncompromising and provocative coverage of the jazz scene in the U.S. and throughout the world. Featuring special themes, insightful profiles,comprehensive guides and timely news reports.” – JazzTimes Magazine.
Kerrang Magazine – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
Kerrang Magazine Website
1981-1982 & 2015
London: Wasted Talent Ltd
“Kerrang magazine pdf is a British weekly magazine devoted to rock and metal music, currently published by Wasted Talent. Kerrang! was initially devoted to the new wave of British heavy metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling British music weekly.” – Wikipedia.
Melody Maker Magazine – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
1967-1969
London – Melody Maker
Melody Maker magazine was a British weekly music newspaper and one of the world’s earliest music weeklies. It was founded in 1926, as a magazine for dance band musicians. In the late ’60s it concentrated on Rock & Pop, but also included pages for such genres as Jazz and Folk.
Mobile Beat Magazine
1991-2016
U.S.: Mobile Beat
“Sound, Lighting, Video, Performance, Music, Business. The Mobile Entertainer’s Magazine”.
Modern Drummer Magazine
Modern Drummer Magazine Website
1977-2019
U.S.: Modern Drummer
“Caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers through interviews with the world’s best drummers. MD also reports on trends, activities, drum products, publications, and recordings. A roster of over 35 educational departments offers readers playing tips and advice.” – Publisher.
Mojo Magazine
Mojo Magazine Website
2016-2022
UK: Bauer Media
“Mojo magazine is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom.” Founded in 1993. – Wikipedia.
Music Connection Magazine
1985- Present
Los Angeles: Music Connection
“Published since 1977, Music Connection magazine is a monthly music trade publication catering to musicians, industry pro’s, and support services.”
Music Legends – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
Coda Records Website
2019 – Present
Chichester, UK: Coda Records
“Music Legends is the new monthly rock music magazine featuring the greatest stories and music history of classic rock bands, legacy rock music, and rock legends, including the early days of Queen, an in-depth interview with Pete Best, the original Beatles drummer, Fleetwood Mac on the making of ‘Rumours’, plus Springsteen, The Clash, Eagles , U2, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Prince, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Beach Boys, Sex Pistols, Credence Clearwater Revival and much, much more! ” – Publisher.
The Music Magazine and Musical Courier
1880-1962 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
NY: Blumenberg
“The Musical Courier began in 1880, and included editorials, obituaries, announcements, scholarly articles and investigatory writing about musical instruments and music in general. These included “construction practices, descriptions, tools, exhibitions and collections, new technologies, and laws and legal actions” relating to the music industry.” – Wikipedia.
Music Row Magazine
Music Row Website
1983-2019
Nashville, TN: Music Row Publications
MusicRow is a Nashville music industry trade publication which has been providing reviews, breaking news, and in-depth coverage for 40 years.
Music Views Magazine
1945-1959
California: Capitol Publications
A magazine to promote Capitol Records and their stars.
Music World Magazine
1957-1958
Canada: Music World
“Canada’s only publication devoted to popular music.” In the format of a newspaper, Music World brings the news of all aspects of the popular music industry in Canada.”
Musical America Magazine
Musical America Website
1898-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
New Jersey:
The oldest American magazine on classical music, first appearing in 1898. It was a weekly until 1929, then producing 15-20 issues per year until 1960. The magazine continues today online.
Muzik Magazine
1995-2003
UK: IPC Media
“Muzik magazine was a British dance music magazine published by IPC Media from June 1995 to August 2003. Aimed at serious dance music fans rather than weekend clubbers, Muzik’s writers included a number of well-known DJs, including Kris Needs, Rob da Bank, Spoony, Terry Farley, Bob Jones, Jonty Skrufff and Dave Mothersole.” – Wikipedia.
Nash Country Weekly Magazine
2015
Nashville: Nash Country
Seems to have mainly articles about Country Music greats.
Opera News
1936-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)
NY: Metropolitan Opera Guild
A classical music magazine, launched in 1936, that provides in-depth coverage and information on all matters relating to the American and International opera scenes. Opera News has continued to exist online.
Performer Magazine
2012-2023
Boston: Performer
“Performer Magazine is focused on the music business, pro audio, audio recording, music licensing, royalties, copyright law, music reviews and music publishing.”
Phonograph Monthly Review
1926-1932
Massachusetts: Phonograph Publishing
“In addition to articles about recordings, this magazine contains reviews of records in the categories Orchestral, Instrumental, Choral, Operatic, Songs, Popular Dance, Books.”
Piano & Keyboard Magazine
1952-1997 (Black & White)
California: SparrowHawk
Interviews, articles and news from the world of piano and keyboard music.
Plan B Magazine
2004-2009
UK: Plan B Publishing
“Plan B was a monthly music magazine based in London. It catered mainly towards independent music, and also documented alternative culture such as film, comics, video games, visual art and books.”
Pop Weekly Magazine
1962-1965
London – Pop Weekly
A UK music weekly founded in 1962 as ‘Pop Ten Monthly’, changing names later that year to ‘Pop Weekly’. It claimed to be the first magazine to combine up-to-the-minute news reports, articles on all of the most popular artists and groups of the day together with fabulous shots of the stars.
Back issues of the UK magazine Melody Maker, also on this page above, may be of interest.
Record Research Magazine
1955-1989
Subtitle: “Magazine of Record Statistics and Information”. Record Research magazine was a record collectors’ auction list and discography/records history magazine published between 1955 and 1995. It appears to have been an independent newsletter, containing columns, informative tidbits, artist profiles, and information about records, including those from the earliest days of the recording industry.
Record World Magazine
1957-1982
U.S.
“Record World magazine was a music industry trade magazine published from 1946 to April of 1982. Until 1964 it was called “Music Vendor.” -American Radio History.
Rhythms Magazine
Rhythms Magazine Website
2019 – Present
Hughesdale, AUS: Rhythms
“Over 25 years and more than 288 issues, Rhythms Magazine has established a reputation as The Bible of roots music in Australia. Hungrily exploring almost anything to do with blues, roots, folk, Americana, jazz, country, and world music, Rhythms is totally unique. It is cherished by its readers for its authority, credibility and diversity.” – Publisher.
Rock and Blues International Magazine
2020- Present
Texas: Rock and Blues International
Lots of articles, many very in-depth, about established but musicians who aren’t currently in the spotlight.
Roctober Magazine
1992-2023
Illinois: Roctober
“Roctober celebrates the most dynamic, bizarre, and amazing unjustly obscure musical heroes of rock, pop, r&b, rockabilly, punk, gay disco, hip hop, Armenian novelty songs and all points in between.”
Rolling Stone Magazine – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
Rolling Stone Magazine Website
Rolling Stone 2014-2015
Rolling Stone 1992-2012
Rolling Stone Index for 1967-1991
U.S. – Penske Media Corp.
“Rolling Stone magazine is a cultural icon. It’s the number one pop culture reference point for 13 million young adults. In addition to its authoritative position in music, Rolling Stone’s sphere of influence reaches into entertainment, movies, television, technology, and national affairs. Rolling Stone covers everything that’s important, trend-setting, and newsworthy to the thought leaders among young adults.” – Rolling Stone Magazine
RPM Music Weekly Magazine
1964-1966
Toronto, Canada: Walt Grealis
RPM Music Weekly, since its founding in February 1964, covered the news in many aspects of the popular music business throughout Canada, including band personnel, radio, recording, and concerts.
The Skinny Magazine
2006- Present
UK: Radge Media
“The Skinny is Scotland’s largest culture, entertainment and events magazine with 35,000 copies distributed monthly in Scotland across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.”
Smash Hits Magazine – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
1981-1988
“Smash Hits magazine pdf was a pop music magazine aimed at teenagers and young adults, featuring lyrics, photographs, interviews and news related to celebrity music acts in the UK (Later offshoots arrived in the US and Australia). After an initial test issue, the magazine started publishing in 1979, switching to a fortnightly schedule after three issues, and finally closing up in 2006. – Internet Archive.
Sound and Audio Magazine Collection
1927-2020
U.S., UK, Australia, Poland
This collection of magazines dedicated to electronic equipment includes three similar British magazines featuring stereo equipment, titles “Hi-Fi Choice”, “Hi-Fi News”, & “What Hi-Fi”;
“Sound & Vision” from 2015-2016, a U.S. title for consumer electronics.
“Radioelektronik Audio Video Hi Fi” from Warsaw, in Polish, about 1985-2003.
“Stereophile”, U.S., 2015-2016.
“Sound + Image”, Australia, 2015-2016.
A few issues of other, similar titles.
Sounds Magazine
1970-1991
UK: Spotlight
Sounds was a UK weekly pop/rock music newspaper, published from 10 October 1970 to 6 April 1991. It was known for giving away posters in the centre of the paper (initially black and white, then colour from late 1971) and later for covering heavy metal and punk music in its late 1970s–early 1980s heyday.
Spin Magazine – Vintage Rock Magazine Free PDF
Spin Magazine Website
1985-2012
U.S.: Spin Media
“From the concert stage to the dressing room, from the recording studio to the digital realm, SPIN magazine surveys the modern musical landscape and the culture around it with authoritative reporting, provocative interviews, and a discerning critical ear.”
Total Order Magazine
Issues 2016 – Present
Barnegat, New Jersey: Total Order Magazine
“The most comprehensive publication on Independent Music from around the world. There something for everyone, fans, listeners, musicians and people who want to know the REAL STORY of the Independent Music World.” – Publisher.
Uncut UK Magazine
Uncut UK Magazine Website
2013-2023
Bandlab Technologies
“Uncut UK Magazine pdf is your essential guide to the month’s best music. Every issue, our comprehensive and trustworthy reviews section showcases the best new releases and reissues, while our in-depth features section includes interviews with the greatest names in music from the past five decades as well as the classic artists of tomorrow.”
The Wire Magazine
The Wire Website
1982-2006
London: Tony Herrington
The Wire Magazine pdf is a British magazine, founded in 1982. It originally covered Jazz, but gradually expanded its scope to include experimental rock, electronica, alternative hip hop, modern classical, free improvisation, nu jazz and traditional music. – Summary of Wikipedia article.
World Radio History Magazine
World Radio History Website
U.S.
Dozens of periodicals related to music, radio, TV, and related. U.S., UK and other countries. Lots of books also, on amateur radio, TV, music business, electronics etc.
Websites of More PDF Music Magazines
Free online versions of these music magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.