`1952: The First Issue (01 of12)
Open Image ModalIt all began with this issue over 60 years ago.That year, the magazine launched the first ever UK singles chart, based on the US's Billboard one. (credit:NME)
August 1979: Joy Division(02 of12)
Open Image ModalJoy Division's Ian Curtis and Bernard Sumner graced the cover in 1979. Just 9 months later, Ian killed himself. (credit:NME)
December 1986: Madonna (03 of12)
Open Image ModalProving that it's not just indie upstarts who can grace the cover, Madonna made the first of four appearances on NME's front page in 1986. (credit:NME)
November 1989: The Stone Roses(04 of12)
Open Image ModalIan Brown and his band made their cover debut with a Pollock-inspired shoot in 1989. (credit:NME)
April 1994: Kurt Cobain Tribute(05 of12)
Open Image ModalThe mag paid their respects to the Nirvana frontman with a simple, black-and-white cover. (credit:NME)
August 1995: Britpop's Stars Go Head-To-Head(06 of12)
Open Image ModalIt was the chart battle that defined 1995, and NME added fuel to the fire with this cheeky cover. The release of 'Country House' was brought forward, and the track triumphed over 'Roll With It' in the charts, which led to... (credit:NME)
September 1995: Damon's Victory Cover(07 of12)
Open Image ModalThe magazine's publishers prepared two versions of this front page, one with Oasis and this one featuring Damon. (credit:NME)
June 2002: The Libertines' Debut (08 of12)
Open Image ModalPete Doherty and Carl Barat's band were already causing havoc on the London music scene, when they landed their first ever cover the week 'What A Waster' was released. (credit:NME)
October 2005: Arctic Monkey's debut (09 of12)
Open Image ModalStill looking like scruffy Sheffield lads, the band made their NME debut. Three months later, their debut album 'Whatever People say i Am, That's What I'm Not' was released, and became the fastest-selling debut by a British band. (credit:NME)
December 2009: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas(10 of12)
Open Image ModalIn 2009, 'X Factor' boss Simon Cowell spoke to the mag, as a battle between a charity campaign to get Rage Against Machine's 'Killing In The Name' to number one gained pace. RATM eventually beat that year's 'X Factor' champ Joe McElderry to the top spot, and the band followed through on their promise to perform a free victory gig in London. (credit:NME)
July 2011: RIP Amy Winehouse(11 of12)
Open Image ModalTragically, Amy Winehouse's first ever cover appearance came after her death in 2007. NME's editor at Mike Williams later discussed the page's conception, stating: "After an hour of playing with cover lines we took them all off and it all made sense.“NME’s picture director Marian Paterson described the lack of words as 'A minute’s silence.' She was right.” (credit:NME)
April 2013: Yeah Yeah Yeahs(12 of12)
Open Image ModalKaren O was back! The Yeah Yeah's made a triumphant return with 'Mosquito', and officially waged war on fans wielding smartphones and video cameras constantly at gigs. (credit:NME)