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Jann Wenner’s dumb comments are really costing him

During last week’s interview about his new book The Masters, Rolling Stone magazine founder and a driving force behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jann Wenner had some not-so-kind things to say about female and black artists. I quote:

Joni [Mitchell] was not a philosopher of rock’n’roll. She didn’t, in my mind, meet that test. Not by her work, not by other interviews she did. The people I interviewed were the kind of philosophers of rock…“Of Black artists – you know, 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.”

Ah. So white male artists are articulate musical masters and female and Black artists are not? Sure. Right.

The backlash was swift and severe. Wenner is out at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And then Rolling Stone, the magazine he founded, released this statement. Wow, huh?

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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2 thoughts on “Jann Wenner’s dumb comments are really costing him

  • why would a grown-ass man with his knowledge, connections and wealth do something so abjectly f*****g stupid? What would he have to gain, even if he was completely right??

    dickhead….

    Reply
  • Shut up, Wilmar.
    Just, sh!

    Reply

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