A new series from The Guardian is delving deep into the newspaper's own archives to uncover the surprisingly modest beginnings of some of pop culture's biggest names. The feature, titled 'Origin Stories', reveals how the publication first covered figures who would later become global icons, from music legends to television stars and even a future games console giant.
From Coffee Clubs to Global Fame
The journey begins with The Beatles. Long before Beatlemania swept the nation, their first Guardian mention in January 1963 was a mere footnote in an article about Manchester's 'coffee dance clubs'. The piece casually noted that such venues featured "twist or jazz groups, the Beatles for instance". This brief reference appeared just as 'Please Please Me' was climbing the charts, a stark contrast to the media frenzy that would engulf them mere months later.
Similarly, Marilyn Monroe received a lukewarm initial reception. Her early 1950s films were critically panned by the paper's reviewers. A critique of 'Don't Bother to Knock' found the film unremarkable, while her role in 'Niagara' prompted the suggestion that "little roles suit her best". It wasn't until 1959's 'Some Like It Hot' that the Guardian finally recognised her as "irresistible".
Television and Tech Take Their First Bow
The archives also hold the first reactions to now-institutions. When the BBC announced 'EastEnders' in October 1984, the Guardian predicted Albert Square would become a "familiar national landmark". The opening night review in February 1985 was cautiously positive, describing it as "Coronation Street with added abrasives and a cockney accent".
Perhaps the most dismissive early mention was reserved for Nintendo. In 1980, a technology column sniffily referred to a new Nintendo product as "the next inevitable advance of those puerile video games". By 1984, coverage had shifted to noting the rampant plagiarism of its hit arcade game, 'Donkey Kong', with clones like 'Kongo Kong' and 'Donkey King' flooding the market.
The Star Who Started as a Toddler Model
The series saves its most charming discovery for last. The first Guardian appearance of future 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'The Traitors' host Claudia Winkleman predates her television career by decades. It was not in the 1990s, but in May 1973, when she featured as a toddler in a children's fashion photoshoot.
The shoot, photographed by Frank Martin, showcased the latest styles for small children. A young Winkleman modelled an embroidered Indian smock and a pair of stripy bell-bottom trousers. The article noted that such styles "lend themselves well to small-fry fashion". Her now-signature severe fringe and fingerless gloves were, of course, additions for a later era.
This archival dive demonstrates how fleeting early mentions can be, often giving little indication of the fame and cultural impact that would follow. The Guardian's new regular feature promises to unearth more of these hidden origins from its 200-year archive.
