Rock Music

» undersolo - The Wenner of my Discontent

I just took the time to read Robert Draper`s "Rolling Stone Magazine: The Uncensored History" (1990). "Uncensored" is the key. I don`t think that Jann S. Wenner would like to be exposed to the various intrigues covered by Mr Draper. I knew that Lester Bangs was banned from the magazine for showing "disrespect" towards musicians, as was Greil Marcus for his unfavorable review of Bob Dylan`s "Self Portrait." What I did not know was how deeply Mr Wenner succumbed to the cynicism and narcissism of seventies culture.
Let it be noted that Hugh Hefner offered to buy the magazine at one point. Rather unnecessary, I think. They already had a playboy at the helm of Rolling Stone. Wenner played the role of celebrity chaser quite well. It ruined his skills as an editor in charge of the most influential music magazine in the country. The biography makes it clear that luck played a very important role in the magazine`s success (the acquisition of Dr Hunter S. Thompson and the 1970 interview with John Lennon, for example). They could have done so much more once the magazine gained a reputation in both musical and political circles.
I would also recommend Louis Menand`s "Life in the Stone Age," an excellent essay based on Draper`s work. It is available in Mr Menand`s "American Notes" (2002), a collection of essays on various topics in American life.

-- posted by undersolo