Jann Wenner Ousted from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Board Following Remarks Perceived as Insulting to Black and Female Musicians

Jann Wenner, the co-founder of both Rolling Stone magazine and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has been relieved of his duties from the hall’s Board of Directors. This decision came after Wenner made statements in a New York Times interview that were perceived as derogatory towards Black and female musicians.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation issued a statement on Saturday, confirming Wenner’s removal from the Board of Directors. This followed the publication of Wenner’s controversial comments just a day earlier.

There has been no immediate comment from Wenner, who is 77 years old, or from his representatives.

Wenner ignited a controversy while promoting his new book, “The Masters,” which consists of interviews with musicians such as Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, and Bono of U2—all of whom are white and male.

Upon being questioned about the absence of female and Black musicians in his book, Wenner responded by saying: “It’s not as though they can’t articulate themselves. However, try having a profound conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. In my view, Joni Mitchell did not pass the test as a rock ‘n’ roll philosopher.” He further stated, “In the context of Black artists—take Stevie Wonder, for example, a genius indeed. Yet, using a term like ‘masters’ may have been an error on my part. Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, for instance, simply did not express themselves at that level.”

Wenner had been instrumental in the founding of Rolling Stone in 1967 and continued to play a role as its editor or editorial director until 2019. He was also a pivotal figure in the launch of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

In the same interview, Wenner seemed aware that his comments could provoke negative public reaction. He stated, “Purely for the sake of public relations, perhaps I should have included one Black artist and one female artist who do not meet the same historical criteria, in order to sidestep this sort of scrutiny.”

It is noteworthy that Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, published last year, ranked Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” at No. 1, Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” at No. 3, Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” at No. 4, “Purple Rain” by Prince and the Revolution at No. 8, and Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” at No. 10.

Rolling Stone magazine had carved its niche as a publication that blended rigorous musical and cultural critiques with impactful investigative journalism.

The article has been updated to clarify that Jann Wenner was a co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine, rather than its sole founder.

For further updates, follow Mark Kennedy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jann Wenner Removed from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Board

More about Jann Wenner Removed from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Board

• Original New York Times Interview with Jann Wenner
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Official Statement
• Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
• Jann Wenner’s Biography
• Rolling Stone Magazine’s Official Website