ON THE COVER OF THE ROLLING STONE

I have never really had much of an opinion of Rolling Stone magazine, but since I've been required to do a presentation on it for my popular music paper I've gotten way interested in its significance to pop culture, and how it has come to be one of the most trusted music publications of our generation.

Hunter S. Thompson

I'll just quickly give a run-down on the deets: it was started in 1967 in San Francisco by then-twenty-year old Jann Wenner, a UC Berkeley drop-out, as a journal focused on youth culture and rock music promotion. Wenner asserted that it was to be ‘not just about music, but also about the things and attitudes that music embraces.’

What I like about RS is that in the 1970s it took on gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and undertook more of a political feel. The magazine published Thompson’s initial serialized versions of Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72. Thompson, acknowledged as the creator of gonzo journalism, whereby writers utilize a unique first-person narrative, remained a contributor for the magazine until his death in 2005.

RS has attracted contributions from greatly respected journalists, and launched the careers of many as well. P.J. O’Rourke, Cameron Crowe, Kurt Loader and Anthony De Curtis are among those who have graced the pages of the publication over the years.

Another unique feature of RS is its famous interviews. The magazine prides itself on its discussions with respected figures in music, politics, entertainment and culture. The expansive interviews are aimed at shedding light on their subjects’ philosophies, lives and personal experiences. Arguably the most famous one is the 1970 John Lennon interview by Jann Wenner, in which Lennon speaks candidly about his strained relationship with Paul McCartney, the pressure he felt from fans, and his resentment towards the Beatles’ opinion of Yoko. Here's a taste of Wenner's almost seven hour talk with the music icon.

RS knows what its audience wants. It is, first and foremost, selling a product – that of popular culture and celebrity – and so it features slick and sexy pieces and glamorous photo shoots. The September 2 issue cover shows a naked Alexander Skarsgård, Steven Moyer and Anna Paquin of True Blood fame, in suggestive poses and covered with blood. It caters to its audience’s interest in music, movies and an attractive celebrity lifestyle, while at the same time producing them as consumers. However, the magazine is not all fluff pieces, and it features articles on hot political issues. For example, the July 23 issue featured an item on why President Obama has given the proposed climate bill the scrap.

I love that RS has never been afraid to push the boundaries. From controversial cover shoots to unconventional political reporting, the magazine is constantly dishing out fresh material, and Wenner's determination and respect among both the journalism and music industries are what make Rolling Stone what it is today.