Rolling Stone’s founder, Jann Wenner, has recently faced repercussions for making derogatory comments about Black and female artists. As a result, he has been removed from the Board of Directors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. This decision came about after a vote among the current members, with the only dissenting vote coming from Jon Landau.
Key Takeaway
Jann Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone and a key figure in the music industry, has been removed from the Board of Directors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. This action came as a response to Wenner’s controversial remarks regarding Black and female artists, where he insinuated that they were not as articulate as their white male counterparts. The decision to remove Wenner highlights the importance of inclusivity and equal representation within the music industry.
Wenner’s Remarks and the Fallout
The controversy started when Wenner gave an interview to the New York Times, discussing his upcoming book, “The Masters,” which features interviews with seven iconic rock and roll figures including Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Jerry Garcia, and Pete Townsend. The interviewer pointed out that all of the subjects Wenner chose to interview were white and male, while neglecting performers of color and women.
Wenner’s response to this criticism shed light on his perspective. He clarified that when he referred to the zeitgeist, he was referring specifically to Black performers, not female performers. He claimed that the selection of interview subjects was not a deliberate choice but rather an intuitive decision that happened to predominantly feature white male artists. He stated that his personal interest and love for these individuals guided his choices over the years.
However, Wenner’s remarks took a troubling turn when he commented on the articulacy of female artists. He expressed that, in his opinion, none of the women he interviewed were “articulate enough on this intellectual level.” When asked about Joni Mitchell’s intellectual capacity to discuss music, Wenner dismissed her and suggested that she did not meet his criteria for being a philosopher of rock and roll.
Regarding Black artists, Wenner remarked that performers like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield did not articulate at the level he expected. These comments raised concerns about Wenner’s biased views and assumptions about the capabilities of Black artists.
The Consequences
Following the publication of Wenner’s controversial remarks, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame made the decision to remove him from the Board of Directors. This move reflects the Hall’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and recognizing the contributions of artists from all backgrounds.
By removing Wenner from the decision-making process, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aims to send a clear message that derogatory comments and biased perspectives have no place in the celebration of music and its diverse talents. It reaffirms the importance of diversity and equality within the rock and roll community.
