Jann Wenner, the co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has been ousted from the hall’s board of directors for his controversial remarks about Black and female musicians.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Wenner made comments that were seen as disparaging toward artists of color and women in the music industry. As a result, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced on Saturday that Wenner has been removed from the board of directors.
Wenner, 77, has yet to respond to the news.
The controversy arose while Wenner was promoting his new book, “The Masters.” The book features exclusive interviews with iconic musicians such as Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, and U2’s Bono. However, critics pointed out that all the musicians featured in the book are white males.
When questioned about the absence of women and Black musicians in his book, Wenner defended his choices by stating that they did not meet his criteria for being influential figures in rock ‘n’ roll. He specifically mentioned Joni Mitchell and stated that she did not qualify as a “philosopher of rock ‘n’ roll.” Wenner also commented that Black artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield did not articulate at the same level as the white artists he included in the book.
Wenner is widely known as the co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine, which he launched in 1967. He served as its editor or editorial director until 2019. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
In anticipation of the backlash his comments would likely receive, Wenner suggested that he should have included lesser-known Black and female artists in his book to avoid criticism. However, it appears that his remarks were enough to result in his removal from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board of directors.
Last year, Rolling Stone magazine published its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, featuring groundbreaking albums by artists like Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Lauryn Hill. Rolling Stone’s legacy has been built on its authoritative music and cultural coverage, along with its commitment to investigative reporting.
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