30. Rolling Stone Magazine

Rolling Stone Magazine

Editor and Publisher Jann S. Wenner

May 12, 2011

Issue 1130

82 p.

Summary

Published every two weeks, Rolling Stone focuses on music, popular culture, and politics.  The cover page gives readers a summary of what some of the feature articles are about; in this case, the magazine includes a look back at Paul Simon’s career, discussion of America’s old nuclear reactors, review of the new television series, Game of Thrones, and an interview with the man on the cover, Steven Tyler.  Keeping up with what Rolling Stone is known for, the majority of the magazine is dedicated to music—mostly rock music, but there are other genres present, as well.  It gives an overview of upcoming summer tours, interviews with artists, reviews of new albums and singles, and, as always, the last page includes a few of the music charts.  The “College Radio Top 10 Albums” chart brings attention to the audience to which Rolling Stone most appeals.  Incorporating elements of pop culture, there are also movie reviews and an interview with director/writer/producer Kevin Smith.  National affairs receive the least amount of pages with only four out of the total eighty-two.  The majority of Rolling Stone’s audience is within the age range of eighteen to twenty-four, with the group totaling fifty-six percent of the total readership (http://www.srds.com/mediakits/rollingstone/demographics.html).  The advertisements reflect that, focusing on technological products such as the Kindle, laptops, iPads, and digital cameras, as well as an ad for the New York Film Academy.

Critical Evaluation

As established by the simple cover and the multiple feature articles, Rolling Stone is less interested in appearing stylish and flashy and more focused on giving readers the information they want.  There are quite a few pictures of various artists and actors, but they do not hijack the page from the article.  While this will surely be different for issues that have younger artists on the cover, the feature articles on Steven Tyler and Paul Simon tell stories of men who have gone through a lot in their lives and have triumphed over it, though it took a lot of time to get there.  Even though they are older than the target audience, Tyler and Simon both come from bands that made music that has stood the test of time and many in their teens and twenties will be interested in how they have lasted so long in such a brutal industry.   Tyler’s article addresses his reemergence as a judge on American Idol, but it also criticizes the show, connecting to music fans that view the show as a negative influence on the music industry.  Because a new issue comes out every two weeks, the trends and music charts represent the current interests of music fans.  Helped by the credibility that Rolling Stone reviewers have established throughout the years, the music reviews bring attention to lesser-known bands just as they recognize the popular artists.  For instance, in this issue, reviewer David Fricke gives the Fleet Foxes’ “Helplessness Blues” album four stars out of five and writes a glowing critique proclaiming them a young version of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.  Just as with the feature articles, the reference to seventies rock may alienate some teens that find pop and rap acts more their style, but for those teens that live off of classic rock, this review will put Fleet Foxes on their radar.  There does seem to be a bit of a preference for classic rock throughout Rolling Stone, but it still connects with other music fans, specifically through the reviews of new singles by Lady Gaga, Young Jeezy featuring Lil Wayne, Pitbull, and Beyonce.  Even though the magazine includes popular culture, it would most appeal to teens that value true artists and music that harkens back to rock of the sixties and seventies.

Reader's Annotation

Rolling Stone catches readers up on the newest and still popular trends in music and movies, while also keeping them aware of national news. 

Information About the Editor

In 1967, a 20-year-old Jann S. Wenner dropped out of the University of California Berkeley to start a quirky rock-music-oriented biweekly called Rolling Stone—and changed American culture. Treating the interests of America’s increasingly vocal youth with seriousness unknown before, Rolling Stone spoke to—and for—an entire generation. Throughout its illustrious history, Wenner’s commitment to quality journalism has kept Rolling Stone fresh and dynamic—the magazine’s success has proved a new readership is always ready to respond to definitive music coverage, provocative interviews, award-winning photography and important investigative and political reporting.

The magazine has won 14 National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, Design, Photography, Visual Excellence, Specialized Journalism, Feature Writing, and Reporting. Today, Rolling Stone continues to reign at the forefront of American journalism, and with 12 million readers it serves as the ultimate source for music information and popular-culture trends.  (information from Wenner’s website: http://www.jannswenner.com/Biography)

Genre

Magazine – Music/Entertainment/Politics

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the history of Rolling Stone.

2. Talk about the importance of music in teens’ lives.

3. Discuss the use of classic rock musicians in the feature articles.

4. Address the influence that Rolling Stone has on the music industry.

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Challenge Issues

The magazine contains advertisements for alcohol, as well as profanity and details of drug and alcohol use.

When confronted with complaints about this magazine, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews listed on Amazon.com, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Magazine in Selection? 

I wanted to include a magazine directed toward teens interested in music.