Music mogul Jann Wenner, co-founder of the iconic Rolling Stone magazine, has faced significant repercussions after making contentious remarks about female and Black musicians in a New York Times interview.
Who is Jann Wenner?
Jann Wenner is an influential figure in the music industry, co-founding Rolling Stone magazine with music critic Ralph J. Gleason in 1967. Rolling Stone quickly established itself as an authoritative publication known for covering music, politics and pop culture. In 2017, Wenner decided to sell the legendary rock magazine. Additionally, Wenner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as an individual and is also a co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
What did Jann Wenner say in the New York Times interview?
Wenner recently discussed his forthcoming book “The Masters,” featuring interviews with notable artists such as John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Mick Jagger.
However, Wenner faced backlash when he justified the absence of interviews with female and Black artists. He stated, “Insofar as the women, just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level.” Regarding Black artists, he commented, “Stevie Wonder, genius, right? … they just didn’t articulate at that level.”
How did the public and institutions react to Wenner’s comments?
Following the publication of the interview, Wenner faced widespread criticism for his remarks which many saw as dismissive and belittling of the contributions of Black and female artists. After hearing Wenner’s comments, many within the music industry and fans voiced their disapproval on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). His statements became an ongoing topic on these platforms as many expressed their thoughts.
What was Wenner’s response to the backlash?
After the uproar, Wenner issued an apology via a spokesperson for his book’s publisher, Little, Brown and Company. He acknowledged that his comments “diminished the contributions, genius, and impact of Black and women artists.” In his apology, Wenner explained that “The Masters” was intended to represent his perspective on rock ‘n’ roll’s impact and was not an exhaustive representation of music’s diverse and significant originators. He expressed remorse for his poorly chosen words and accepted the consequences of his actions.
How has Rolling Stone magazine reacted?
Rolling Stone was quick to distance itself from Wenner’s controversial statements. They clarified that Wenner had not been actively involved in the magazine’s operations since 2019. In a statement posted on X, the publication emphasized its commitment to reflecting the diversity of voices and experiences in music and asserted that music should be a unifying force.
Wenner’s comments have set off a vital dialogue about the value and importance of diversity within the music industry. We await to see how this incident will alter both his legacy and perceptions about this sector of culture.
