Dr Hook Didn't Invent
Rolling Stone Magazine REALLY!
The Rise and Decline of Rolling Stone
Magazine
One of the chief mouthpieces for the
counter culture movement in the 1960s and 1970s was the
American Rolling Stone magazine. It was avidly read by those
with a left wing political stance who questioned the
establishment. Its main priority was writing about the music
scene and musicians all clamored to be on the cover.
There have been many iconic covers
over the years, including the picture taken by leading
photographer, Annie Leibovitz of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
It was taken on the day of Lennon's assassination in 1980.
Careers of many groups and musicians
have been enhanced by contributing to Rolling Stone
magazine. The famed director of Fear and Loathing in Las
Vegas, Hunter S.Thompson, wrote political pieces during the
1970s.
Other guest writers destined for movie
directing fame included Robert Altman and Cameron Crowe.
Crowe would later tell of his experiences on the publication
in his film, Almost Famous. Cartoonist Ralph Steadman was
another contributor.
The magazine has always been highly
regarded for its record and movie reviews, influencing
public opinion since Jann Wenner co-founded it in 1967. The
lists that it produced in the 2000s were also eagerly
anticipated with categories such as 100 Greatest Guitarists
and 500 Greatest Albums.
Is Rolling Stone Magazine a Thing of
the Past?
A mix of cultural and social
commentary has been the trademark, but in keeping with high
standards of journalism.
This credibility began to erode during
the 1980s and 1990s when Rolling Stone magazine lost many
fans due to its shift to presenting film and television
celebrities and generally going more into the mainstream.
Critics pointed out that they lagged
behind the times when it came to including new musical
genres. Circulation dropped as a result but there has been
resurgence of late. The more serious political and music
articles have returned and readers look to the writers for
like-minded opinions once again.
The New Rolling Stone
Periodical
The glory days may be over and getting
on the cover is not the milestone that it once was, but the
magazine is gaining respect once more. Editorials speak out
against the US government and social commentary has become a
priority again.
The quest to attract a younger
readership by offering titillating photographs of the likes
of Janet Jackson and Britney Spears has given way to more
serious journalism.
Rolling Stone Magazine is still a
wonderful opportunity for any emerging writer or
photographer to cut their teeth. Society gets the press it
deserves and this magazine will surely rise in accordance
with a flourishing anti-establishment movement, something
that lay buried for a while in the hearts of aging hippies
who had loved it so.
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