So, co-founder and editor of Rolling Stone magazine Jann Wenner has been embroiled in a bit of controversy due to insensitive comments made during a recent interview with New York Times
While promoting his new book, “The Masters” which is a collection of his interviews throughout the years with rock stars like Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger and Springsteen, mostly from the pages of Rolling Stone — omitted women and especially Black recording artists as subjects. Weiner, 77, said that none were “as articulate enough on this intellectual level,” and that he did not view them as “philosophers of rock.”
He doubled down with statements like :
“You know, just for public relations’ sake,” he added, “maybe I should have gone and found one Black and one woman artist to include here that didn’t measure up to that same historical standard, just to avert this kind of criticism. Which, I get it. I had a chance to do that. Maybe I’m old-fashioned and I don’t give a fuck whatever.”
I'm okay with what he said just as I'm more than okay for the repercussions that followed-for his asinine racist comments, Wenner was immediately ousted as Chairman for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I remember hearing how much of a dick Wenner was and I guess those rumors are legit. Now while one may call Wenner's comments ignorant, ill-informed or biased, it's unapologetically racist especially when using words like "not articulate enough. " Here's a little history lesson, it was Black American musicians like Chuck Berry, Little Richard who shaped, formed, and created Rock n Roll which the vernacular was originally a sexual connotation that became the biggest genre in music.
Also, Rolling Stone named after the iconic British band fronted by Mick Jagger, originally was named after a song from the legendary Blues guitarist, Muddy Waters. Waters not only influenced the Rock genre, but he served as the inspiration for the band itself.
Furthermore, it was many, and I mean many Black and female artists that are "Masters": Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, but I can be here till 12 o'clock in the morning.
Jann Wenner didn't get removed because of the cancel culture mob, but because he's inarticulate when expressing his abhorrent sentiments. But most importantly, he’s unqualified!