Jann Wenner

Jann Wenner is an American media figure and businessman best known as the co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine in 1967. He established the publication with mentor Ralph J. Gleason and served as its head for over five decades, shaping music journalism and popular culture coverage during this period. During his tenure at Rolling Stone, Wenner published groundbreaking work by writers like Hunter S. Thompson and photographers like Annie Leibovitz, helping establish the magazine as a cornerstone of American cultural journalism. He later expanded his media presence by launching Men's Journal and co-founding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Wenner's influence on music journalism and popular culture has been significant, though not without controversy. His decisions regarding Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions and allegations of bias in Rolling Stone's reviews have drawn criticism from industry observers. Beyond his publishing career, Wenner's early involvement in Berkeley's Free Speech Movement and his work at Ramparts magazine helped shape his editorial approach. In 2023, he published "Like a Rolling Stone," a memoir detailing his life in journalism and his role in documenting American popular culture.

Readers criticize Wenner's 2023 memoir "Like a Rolling Stone" for its self-aggrandizing tone and name-dropping. Many note his tendency to center himself in historical moments and diminish others' contributions to Rolling Stone's success. What readers appreciated: - Behind-the-scenes details about music journalism - First-hand accounts of encounters with major musicians - Historical context about Rolling Stone's founding - Stories about Hunter S. Thompson and other notable writers Common criticisms: - Narcissistic writing style - Dismissive treatment of former colleagues and artists - Selective memory about controversial decisions - Limited self-reflection about mistakes One reader on Amazon noted: "He comes across as completely full of himself while throwing others under the bus." Another wrote: "The ego gets in the way of what could have been a great cultural history." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) BookBrowse: 3.5/5 (150+ ratings)

Lennon Remembers (1971) A collection of interviews between Wenner and John Lennon, conducted in 1970, providing detailed insights into Lennon's thoughts on The Beatles' breakup and his solo career.

Like a Rolling Stone (2023) A memoir chronicling Wenner's experiences founding Rolling Stone magazine and his five decades documenting American popular culture and music journalism.

Hunter S. Thompson wrote with a similar insider perspective on counterculture and created first-person narratives about music and politics in the 1960s-70s. His work for Rolling Stone and books like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" covered similar territory as Wenner's experiences.

Lester Bangs defined early rock criticism through his work at Rolling Stone, Creem, and other publications during the same era as Wenner. His collected writings document the development of music journalism and the business of rock and roll from a contemporary perspective.

Robert Greenfield authored books about the Rolling Stones and music industry figures while working as an associate editor at Rolling Stone. His oral histories and biographical works cover many of the same cultural figures and events that intersected with Wenner's career.

Fred Goodman wrote extensively about the business side of the music industry and publishing through works like "The Mansion on the Hill" and "Fortune's Fool." His coverage of music media and industry economics parallels Wenner's insider perspective on these sectors.

David Hajdu chronicles the intersection of music, media, and cultural movements through books about Bob Dylan, Billy Strayhorn, and comic book censorship. His work examines how cultural gatekeepers and publications shaped American entertainment, similar to Wenner's role at Rolling Stone.