Rolling Stone: A Magazine

Bibliographic Information: Rolling Stone. (April, 2010). Editor and Publisher: Jann S. Wenner.

Summary: Rolling Stone is a United States magazine which focuses on music, pop culture and politics. It is published twice a month. Each edition features a Cover Story, National Affairs, TV, Features, Special Section, Rock & Roll, On the Road, In the Studio, Q & A, Reviews and Movies.

Critical Evaluation: As a child born in the 1950's, Rock & Roll is a part of my life. Therefore, I read Rolling Stone from cover to cover. The last issue I read had a cover story of Jimi Hendrix. I've listened to Jimi Hendrix through the years, but after reading the article I realized how much I didn't know about the musician. For example, I learned that Hendrix was the first rock star to own a studio, the Electric Lady in Greenwich Village.

As a librarian who works with teens, I was interested in the Best New Bands of 2010. It is important to attempt to stay "up to date." There was a great article on Ben Stiller. He is actually a very serious guy. As far as politics are concerned, an article on Marijuana explores Northern California's "Emerald Triangle" (Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity). Because of Proposition 215, which allows for the use of medical Marijuana in California for medical purposes, the business is booming. Obviously, Rolling Stone is a very liberal magazine.

About the Publisher: Jann Wenner is the editor and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine. He was born in New York and his Jewish parents divorced in 1958. Jann and his two sisters were sent to boarding schools. After high school Wenner went to the University of California, Berkeley. He was active in the free speech movement but ended up dropping out of UC Berkeley. In 1967 Wenner and Gleason (music critic) founded Rolling Stone in an opium den in San Francisco. It was a magazine for the hippie counterculture but was not as "radical" as the underground newspapers of the time, such as Berkeley Barb. (Wikipedia, 2010).

Wenner is instrumental in the magazine's success. He has conducted many interviews with many famous people, including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Bono of U2 and Al Gore, to name just a few. Wenner has appeared in movies and in 2004 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Retrieved March 23, 2010 at: http://www.jannswenner.com/

Curriculum Ties: Social Studies, Current Events, Music

Talking Ideas: Rolling Stone Magazine is a must read for those interested in music, what's hip and happening and issues around the world. If you love music, alternative views and life- read Rolling Stone Magazine.

Reading Level and Interest: 14 and older

Challenge Issue: Many: Drugs, counterculture, sex, anything and everything.

Reason for Inclusion: It addresses the needs of persons interested in music, popular culture and liberal social political views.