Zoo World

Zoo World was an American bi-weekly rock music magazine that operated between 1971 and 1975. Available throughout the United States, it was published in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and intended as a rival to Rolling Stone.[2] In early issues of the magazine, the cover carried a subtitle reading: "The Music Megapaper".[3]

Zoo World
Zoo World ad sales manager Arnie Wohl (left) and publisher Les Feldman reading Zoo World in Fort Lauderdale
CategoriesMusic magazine
FrequencyBi-weekly
First issueJanuary 1972[1]
Final issueJanuary 1975
CountryUnited States
Based inFort Lauderdale, FL
LanguageEnglish

The publication was funded by Florida businessman Jack P. Hunt.[4] Its offices were in a building he owned at the corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and Bayview Drive. The magazine grew to include offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, with a combined staff of 60 under publisher Les Feldman. A contemporary report in the Lauderdale Ledger described Zoo World as a "bi-weekly tabloid featuring record reviews, feature articles on rock celebrities and gossipy news stories on the music world".[4]

Among its contributors were journalists and authors Jim Esposito, Arthur Levy, Michael Gross, Jon Tiven, Nick Tosches, Wayne Robins, John Swenson, Steven Rosen, Gene Sculatti, Ira Robbins, David Rensin and Barbara Charone.[2] In an online discussion at the music critics' website rockcritics.com, in February 2013, author and journalist Richard Riegel recalled that Zoo World resembled Rolling Stone in format, and he likened the title's "editorial personality" to that of Crawdaddy! following the departure of that magazine's founding editor, Paul Williams.[1]

By the time of its demise in January 1975, Zoo World enjoyed a circulation of 300,000. Although Feldman and his colleagues were confident that the magazine remained a viable title, Hunt's withdrawal of his patronage forced its closure, the decision for which was announced to employees in December 1974.[4] Dated January 2, 1975,[4] the cover of the magazine's 75th and final issue carried a picture of soul singer Barry White.[5]

References
  1. "Obscure Magazine of the Day: Zoo World". rockcritics.com. February 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  2. "Zoo World articles, interviews and reviews". Rock's Backpages. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  3. Raup, Avo (November 2014). "Zoo World". afka.net. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  4. "Zoo World magazine to cease publication". The Ledger (Lauderdale). Associated Press. January 13, 1975. p. 5A. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  5. "Cover image, Zoo World 1975-01-02". afka.net. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
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