Founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone Magazine was dismissed from the HoF board today for comments about black and women rock artists. Summary was he wrote a book featuring the below 7 white male artists. He was asked a softball question on why all his subjects white men… then he proceeded to suggest that black and women artists were not articulate . He is now appropriately canceled (or inappropriately, depending on your views on the comments). Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner removed from Rock Hall leadership after controversial comments | CNN In the interview, he spoke about his decision to not include interviews with women and Black artists, and his remarks on the topic were widely criticized. “The people had to meet a couple criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them,” he said, adding “Insofar as the women, just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level.” He continued, “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.” “For public relations sake, 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,” he told the outlet. “Maybe I’m old-fashioned and I don’t give a (expletive) or whatever. I wish in retrospect I could have interviewed Marvin Gaye. Maybe he’d have been the guy. Maybe Otis Redding, had he lived, would have been the guy.”
That’s hilarious considering black people invented rock & roll. What a clown. Also, lol @ Bono being on that list. GTFO
"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man."
Wenner deserves far worse than he it's getting, and this should surprise no one. But man are you guys harsh on Bono. I understand I suppose, I'm just a big fan of that music for its religious content, plus I saw U2 at the Rat for $3. But that probably doesn't mean it deserves to be elevated into that rare category. I do feel old that his daughter was at Tisch right before mine and is now an actress, including in an upcoming Apple plus movie that looks very promising with musical overtones. Talented but a nepo baby
I’m not a bono hater by any means. But he has absolutely no business being on that list of “masters.” One of these things is not like the others.
Cannot disagree. I would have Joe Strummer above him for sure. Likely others as well but just off the top of my head. But I do believe it's become a little bit too fashionable these days to downgrade their musical contribution as being terrible and hokey, which I attribute to it being too earnest. I'm still very impressed with their stuff but likely they don't deserve to be in that category
So much. Loved that series. Watched the BBC's most recent take on Dracula, and guess who played the Count?
I'm sorry not to understand how this works. Is the list generated by Rolling Stone and up to an expert or panel? If yes, then so what? It appears to be a list of conversations and not an all-time greatest ______ afterall. Edit: I think the backlash is regarding specific interview comments. My bad. The suggested comments might best be described as "unfortunate." Given the chance to pick seven "master" musicians for a hang - this would be my list: Mozart - dude knew how to party; would have been a SICK jazz musician Louis Armstrong - his horn playing set trends; his quips were strong; he was a genius Miles Davis - the challenge of earning his respect = irresistible Sheila E - chops, pedigree, soul, and she's hot Jimi Hendrix - genius + soul & chops; a rock musician with real roots Frank Zappa - musical and social genius; principled Quincy Jones - folks probably know his Austin Powers credit, but might not know that he produced Thriller, wrote for the Count Basie orchestra, and is a legendary figure in the history of American music. Which masters would you choose?
Yeah, I'm all for his picking what he wants. & calling em masters. Let's be real, if we drew 7 names outta a rock & roll hat, gettin 7 white men would happen A LOT. It was his ans that was stupid. That's a good list & a good question. I may ans. I do take issue with your use of musician cuz I don't think that's Jann's angle. If I ans, it will be "master" artists using music as their medium.
Jenn is the RS person, yes? Anyway, I chose musicians cause that was the population. That's my list of musicians who I'd want to hang with (most interest to contribute), not my list of the the best musicians (any such notion would be absurd).
yeah. But, I don't think Masters refers to the people's musicianship. I think Jenn means masters of Rock & Roll. Sid Vicious would be somewhere on my list as would all the Ramones & they aren't masters in a musical sense. Also, I realize I'm making a dumb pt for no good reason....now 'ats rock & roll!
Sure - it's for their stories. I chose those seven musicians for their stories too (experience / character)
Masters of any genre would look quite a bit different than just Rock & Roll masters. If it’s all genres mine would look like this: 1) Aretha Franklin. The greatest “god given” non instrumental talent of all time, IMO. 2) John Coltrane. The best soloist on any instrument ever. 3) Chuck Berry. He literally invented Rock & Roll. 4) Hendrix. He’d likely be #1 overall had he not died young. Dead at 27 and still easily the greatest American rock musician ever. 5) Keith Richards. His catalog is just absurd. Not the best chops but his songwriting is GOAT. 6) David Bowie. 7) Prince. Absurd chops and unparalleled vibe/sex appeal.
I feel you, but I am not even sure I'd pick Strummer from the Clash. Topper was freaky talented & my personal fav by a lot is Mick Jones, who was a masterful vibe curator & I think he kept that Clash from being just another "punk" band.
The guy inadvertently outed himself as a racist/mysogonist with this bizarro answer about blacks and women not being “articulate” enough. The way he phrased it they were beneath being interviewed by him, and his list was apparently curated from people whom he honored by granting them the right to be the interviewee. Guys ego is out of control in his response. He could have just name dropped a couple of “masters” he didn’t interview (say a Chuck Berry or Aretha Franklin or Hendrix) and say he missed the chance to get them and left it at that, but the way he phrased it is quite moronic. Especially with a Bono and Jerry Garcia and even the Boss being a bit debatable as “Masters”. I don’t think the top 4 are debatable, so it isn’t a horrible list. Just his comments/explanation that come off ridiculous.
