In a recent New York Times interview, Jann Wenner, co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine, insulted black and women artists. As a result, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board, which Wenner helped launch, kicked him out.
Wenner promoted his book “The Masters,” interviewing musicians like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Jerry Garcia, and Bono. The book mainly features white men, according to the Associated Press.
Wenner explained why he didn’t include women or black artists in his book, saying, “It’s not that they’re inarticulate, although, go have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. Please, be my guest. You know, Joni [Mitchell] was not a philosopher of rock ’n’ roll. She didn’t, in my mind, meet that test,” the AP said.
Wenner added, “Of black artists — you know, Stevie Wonder, genius, right? I suppose when you use a word as broad as ‘masters,’ the fault is using that word. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield? I mean, they just didn’t articulate at that level,” the AP reported. He also stated that “maybe he should’ve interviewed a woman and a black artist that didn’t measure up to the same historical standard.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame removed Wenner from its Board of Directors on Saturday, September 16th. Stereogum reported that Wenner had a chance to explain himself to the board during a conference call, but multiple board members did not accept his apology.
According to Stereogum, all board members, except Bruce Springsteen manager Jon Landau, voted to remove Wenner from the board.
