50 Years Of American ‘PUNK’ Magazine
19 October 2026
PUNK – First issue, January 1976 – Lou Reed cartoon by John Holmstrom
This year marks the 50th anniversary of punk music, which had a similar
ear-shattering and culture changing impact as rock ‘n’ roll ignited in the 50s.
Countless new DIY punk-zines popped up to follow the new startling scene from
the first row. One of them was an American one, simply named PUNK. Its first edition
came out in January 1976, yep 50 years ago with a cartoon of old punk Lou Reed on
the cover.
This past weekend an 50-year-anniversay exhibition of the magazine curated by
its cartoonist/co-founder John Holmstrom and Ki Smith openend in Hudson, NY.
1976, that’s a damn half century.