Jann Wenner , co-founder of the iconic Rolling Stone , was removed from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after a controversial interview given to The New York Times last Saturday, September 16th. The interview was given to promote his new book, titled The Masters , which compiles a selection of interviews from his time at Rolling Stone .
The core of the controversy lies in the justification given by the journalist for selecting the interviewees in his new book. In explaining the absence of women and Black artists in the book, Wenner cited specific criteria that, according to him, only white men met. His words generated an intense debate about representation and inclusion in the music world.
David Marchese , the insightful interviewer from The New York Times , probed Wenner about the seven themes that underpin the pages of his latest book. He questioned Jann about the absence of Black artists and women in his zeitgeist .
According to the interviewer, this raises an intriguing question: how is it possible that Janis Joplin , Joni Mitchell , Stevie Nicks , Stevie Wonder , and so many other notable names didn't find space in this context? Given this, it's pertinent to ask: what is the deeper root cause that explains the choice of interviewees and the exclusion of others?
When asked about the absence of Black and female artists, Wenner argued that none possessed a "sufficient level of articulate intellect":
“When I referred to the zeitgeist , I was referring to Black artists, not women, right? Just to make that perfectly clear. The selection wasn't deliberate. It was something intuitive over the years; it simply fell into place. People had to meet certain criteria, but it was just my personal interest and my love for them. With regard to the women, none of them were articulate enough at that intellectual level.”
To conclude, Wenner went on to compare Black artists and women as being "a step below" the white artists cited in his book:
“It’s not that they aren’t creative geniuses. It’s not that they’re inarticulate, although you can have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin . Please feel free. You know, Joni wasn’t a rock ‘n’ roll philosopher. In my opinion, she didn’t pass that test. Not because of her work, not because of other interviews she did. The people I interviewed were the rock philosopher type. Black artists – you know, Stevie Wonder , genius, right? I think when you use such a broad word as “masters,” the fault lies in the use of that word. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield ? I mean, they just didn’t articulate themselves on that level.”
By dismissing figures like Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell as not sufficiently "articulate" for the rock 'n' roll scene, Wenner highlighted a controversy. His statement about Black musicians, including icons like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield, also provoked strong criticism from the artistic community.
Rolling Stone , in response, made a point of distancing itself from Wenner's statements. It emphasized that the journalist has had no ties to the magazine for several years. Categorically, the publication asserted that Wenner's words do not represent the magazine's values, whose purpose is to tell stories that embrace the diversity of voices in the music world.