As someone aspiring to be a music writer in the early 70s, I care deeply that Jann Wenner set the standards for whose commentary on music could be taken seriously. I still remember paging through an issue of Rolling Stone, a publication I dreamed of writing for, around 1972 or 1973, and seeing not a single woman's byline and no woman on the masthead above the level of secretary except Annie Leibowitz, whom I was distressed to learn later actually DID sleep her way into assignments (she was still wildly talented, though.)
Also, Wenner would've be fine if he'd stopped at ". The people had to meet a couple criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them." But he had to go be a jackass. I wonder if he's the reason Patsy Cline is still in not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (They're inducting Willie Nelson this year for those going "but she's country.")
As someone aspiring to be a music writer in the early 70s, I care deeply that Jann Wenner set the standards for whose commentary on music could be taken seriously. I still remember paging through an issue of Rolling Stone, a publication I dreamed of writing for, around 1972 or 1973, and seeing not a single woman's byline and no woman on the masthead above the level of secretary except Annie Leibowitz, whom I was distressed to learn later actually DID sleep her way into assignments (she was still wildly talented, though.)
That's a fair point about Wenner's legacy. It's just that at this point I can't imagine how anyone takes him seriously anymore
Also, Wenner would've be fine if he'd stopped at ". The people had to meet a couple criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them." But he had to go be a jackass. I wonder if he's the reason Patsy Cline is still in not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (They're inducting Willie Nelson this year for those going "but she's country.")