Jann Wenner, co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine, has been removed from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation’s board after making controversial comments about female and Black musicians. In an interview with The New York Times, Wenner discussed his upcoming book “The Masters,” which features interviews with artists such as John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Mick Jagger. However, Wenner drew criticism for excluding interviews with women and Black artists, stating that they were not as articulate on an intellectual level.
Following the backlash, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced that Wenner had been removed from the board of directors. A representative for the Foundation stated, “Jann Wenner has been removed from the board of directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.”
In response to the controversy, Wenner issued an apology, expressing regret for his remarks and acknowledging their impact. He stated, “‘The Masters’ is a collection of interviews I’ve done over the years that seemed to me to best represent an idea of rock ‘n’ roll’s impact on my world… They don’t reflect my appreciation and admiration for myriad totemic, world-changing artists whose music and ideas I revere and will celebrate and promote as long as I live.”
Wenner founded Rolling Stone magazine in 1967 and put it up for sale in 2017. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as an individual in 2004 and is a co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Despite his removal from the Foundation’s board, Wenner’s book “The Masters” is still scheduled to be released on September 26.