Entertainment
Hall of Fame bans PC King Jann Wenner for dissing Blacks, women
By Jake Beardslee · September 18, 2023
In brief…
- Jann Wenner, Rolling Stone magazine co-founder, faced scathing criticism for excluding Black and female artists in his new book, "The Masters."
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation removed Wenner from its board of directors in response to the book and his remarks in a promotional interview where he claimed Black and women artists are not sufficiently "articulate."
- Wenner issued an apology, acknowledging that his comments diminished the contributions of Black and women artists.
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has faced years of criticism for the lack of diversity in its inductees.
Jann Wenner, Rolling Stone magazine co-founder, is facing criticism for excluding Black and female artists in his new book, The Masters, and then compounding the controversy by making demeaning remarks about them to a reporter.
The book features interviews with rock legends such as Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Bono, but notably lacks representation from Black and women artists.
Wenner defended his decision in the New York Times stating, “Insofar as the women, I mean, there were just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level.”
His comments were met with immediate backlash, as pointed to the talent and intellect of artists such as Joni Mitchell, Grace Slick,and may others who defy Wenner’s cold stereotype.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which Wenner helped create, swiftly responded by removing him from its board of directors. Recognizing the inappropriateness of his remarks, Wenner issued an apology.
“I made comments that diminish the contributions, genius, and impact of Black and women artists, and I apologize wholeheartedly for those remarks,” Wenner said.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has long faced criticism for the lack of diversity of its inductees. Changes in the nominating process have been made following years of calls for greater inclusion. Observers contend, however, a great deal more progress must be made. The latest class of inductees includes Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, and Missy Elliott, but the exclusion of Blacks and women from Wenner’s book highlights the ongoing rift over diversity and inclusion that has long plagued the industry.
“The selection was intuitive,” a Wenner contrite said. “Just for public relations sake, maybe I should have gone and found one Black and one woman artist to include here that didn’t measure up to that same historical standard, just to avert this kind of criticism. I wish in retrospect I could have interviewed Marvin Gaye. Maybe he’d have been the guy. Maybe Otis Redding, had he lived, would have been the guy.”
Critics believe Wenner’s “for public relations sake” explanation further points to the industry’s tone-deafness, and underscores the pressing need to focus on the contributions of artists from all backgrounds.