Rolling Stone

Ah, Rolling Stone. The magazine. Not the band, though I suppose they’re intertwined in the grand, messy tapestry of cultural history. And certainly not that tiresome proverb about moss. We’re talking about a publication, a rather significant one, that decided to chronicle the seismic shifts in music, the grimy underbelly of politics, and the ever-shifting sands of popular culture.

This isn’t just some glossy rag; it’s an American monthly, a fixture, really, since 1967. Founded in the crucible of San Francisco , California, by the ambitious Jann Wenner and the discerning music critic Ralph J. Gleason , it was conceived as something more than just a chronicle of sound. It aimed to capture the Zeitgeist, the very pulse of a generation grappling with change. It’s often painted with a broad brush as left-wing and liberal , a label it seems to wear, perhaps with a touch of defiance, perhaps with a shrug.

Initially, its heart beat in time with rock music , its pages filled with the raw energy of the genre and the incisive, often rebellious, political reporting of figures like Hunter S. Thompson . But time, as it tends to do, marched on. The 1990s saw a conscious pivot, a calculated effort to court a younger demographic, one more interested in the flickering screens of television, the allure of film stars, and the ever-evolving landscape of popular music. While this shift brought new readers, it also, predictably, drew criticism, whispers of chasing trends rather than setting them. Yet, it seems to have found its equilibrium, returning to a more balanced, if still opinionated, blend of music, entertainment, and politics.

The very first issue, a bi-weekly publication back then, graced its cover with none other than John Lennon . A bold statement, if ever there was one. The magazine quickly became renowned not just for its content, but for its arresting photography , its covers becoming iconic canvases for musicians, politicians, athletes, and actors. Beyond the print edition that graces American coffee tables, its digital presence, Rollingstone.com, and a host of international editions ensure its voice echoes across the globe.

The trajectory of Rolling Stone is, frankly, a bit of a rollercoaster. A meteoric rise through the 1970s, followed by a rather precipitous descent into financial quagmires in the 21st century. This turbulence led to significant ownership shifts: a 49 percent stake sold to BandLab Technologies in 2016, followed by a 51 percent acquisition by Penske Media Corporation (PMC) in 2017. By 2019, PMC had consolidated its control, absorbing BandLab’s share and holding the reins of the entire operation.

History

1967–1979: Founding and Early Days

The genesis of Rolling Stone lies in San Francisco in 1967, a year practically dripping with countercultural fervor. Jann Wenner , brimming with vision, and Ralph J. Gleason , a respected voice in music criticism, pooled their resources. Wenner, ever the pragmatist, secured $7,500—a sum that would likely be a fortune today—from his family and his future in-laws to get the ball rolling. The inaugural issue, dated November 9, 1967, was a tactile affair, presented in a tabloid -sized newsprint format. Its cover featured John Lennon , looking rather formidable in a Brodie helmet for the film How I Won the War . The lead story delved into the Monterey International Pop Festival , a landmark event in music history. For a mere 25¢, readers got their hands on a publication that promised to be different, a bi-weekly exploration of a changing world.

Wenner himself, in that very first issue, laid out the magazine’s raison d’être, articulating a vision that was both ambitious and, dare I say, a little fuzzy around the edges:

“You’re probably wondering what we’re trying to do,” he wrote. “It’s hard to say: sort of a magazine and sort of a newspaper. The name of it is Rolling Stone, which comes from an old saying, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss .’ Muddy Waters used the name for a song he wrote . The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy’s song. Like a Rolling Stone was the title of Bob Dylan ’s first rock and roll record. We have begun a new publication reflecting what we see are the changes in rock and roll and the changes related to rock and roll.”

While Wenner’s explanation was multi-layered, some accounts simplify it, attributing the name’s inspiration more directly to Dylan’s iconic track, suggesting that “At [Ralph] Gleason’s suggestion, Wenner named his magazine after a Bob Dylan song.” It’s a subtle distinction, but one that speaks to the influences swirling around the magazine’s birth.

Rolling Stone initially aligned itself with the burgeoning hippie counterculture of the era. However, it deliberately distinguished itself from the more radical, often chaotic, underground newspapers like the Berkeley Barb . The magazine aspired to a higher standard of journalistic integrity, steering clear of the overtly political manifestos that characterized much of the underground press . As David Browne observed in a 2017 piece celebrating the magazine’s 50th anniversary, the name was indeed a nod to multiple sources: the Muddy Waters song, Dylan’s hit, and the iconic band, The Rolling Stones.

The magazine’s long-standing, and rather wry, slogan, “All the news that fits,” was a gift from early contributor Susan Lydon . She playfully borrowed it from an April Fools edition of the Columbia Daily Spectator , a parody of The New York Times’s staid motto, “All The News That’s Fit To Print ”. This subtle jab first appeared in print in 1969, a small piece of editorial wit that would endure.

The 1970s marked a significant evolution for Rolling Stone. Its political coverage began to gain serious traction, largely due to the contributions of the inimitable gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson . His seminal work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , first saw the light of day within these pages. Thompson remained a contributing editor until his death in 2005, a testament to his enduring impact. This decade also saw the magazine become a launchpad for a constellation of literary talents, including Cameron Crowe , Lester Bangs , Joe Klein , Joe Eszterhas , Ben Fong-Torres , Patti Smith , and P. J. O’Rourke . It was during this period that Rolling Stone published some of its most memorable pieces. The January 21, 1970, issue, with its harrowing account of the Altamont Free Concert and the tragic killing of Meredith Hunter , earned a Specialized Journalism award at the National Magazine Awards in 1971. Later that year, a sprawling 30,000-word feature on Charles Manson , penned by David Dalton and David Felton, including their interview with the incarcerated cult leader, secured Rolling Stone’s first National Magazine Award. The magazine continued its deep dives into the cultural zeitgeist, covering the infamous Patty Hearst abduction saga four years later. For many students arriving on college campuses during this era, picking up a copy of Rolling Stone was considered a “rite of passage ”.

In 1972, Wenner entrusted Tom Wolfe with covering the final Moon mission of NASA . The resulting four-part series, “Post-Orbital Remorse,” published in 1973, explored the profound psychological impact of space travel on astronauts. This project spurred Wolfe’s broader exploration of the space program, a commitment that spanned seven years and also yielded his critiques on art, The Painted Word (1975), and a collection of essays, Mauve Gloves & Madmen, Clutter & Vine (1976), culminating in his magnum opus, The Right Stuff , published in 1979.

The visual language of Rolling Stone was significantly shaped by the emerging talent of Annie Leibovitz , whose photographs began gracing its pages in 1970. By 1973, she had ascended to the position of chief photographer, her distinctive style defining more than 140 covers. The magazine also actively recruited writers from smaller music publications, drawing talent like Paul Nelson from Sing Out! , who served as record reviews editor from 1978 to 1983, and Dave Marsh from Creem . In 1977, a significant geographic shift occurred as the magazine relocated its headquarters from San Francisco to New York City . Wenner justified the move by declaring San Francisco had become “a cultural backwater,” signaling a desire to be closer to the pulsating heart of the media and cultural industries.

1980–1999: Transition to Entertainment Focus

The 1980s saw further editorial evolution. Kurt Loder joined in May 1979, spending nine years with the publication, including a stint as editor. Timothy White brought his talents from Crawdaddy , and David Fricke joined from Musician , adding to the magazine’s critical depth. It was during this period that Tom Wolfe, inspired by literary giants like Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray , proposed serializing a novel. Wenner, recognizing the potential, offered Wolfe a substantial sum to undertake the project. The relentless pressure of Rolling Stone’s deadlines, however, proved to be the catalyst Wolfe needed. From July 1984 to August 1985, a new installment of his work appeared in every bi-weekly issue. While Wolfe later expressed dissatisfaction with this “very public first draft,” he thoroughly revised the material, even reshaping his protagonist, Sherman McCoy, before its eventual publication as the acclaimed novel The Bonfire of the Vanities in 1987.

While Rolling Stone had built its reputation on music journalism and Thompson’s political commentary, 1985 saw a strategic image recalibration. The hiring of an advertising agency and the launch of the “Perception/Reality” campaign, which juxtaposed symbols of the Sixties with those of the Eighties, aimed to broaden its appeal and, crucially, increase advertising revenue. This decade also witnessed a noticeable shift towards entertainment, with music remaining central but celebrity profiles, film reviews, and broader pop culture coverage gaining prominence. The introduction of the annual “Hot Issue” further signaled this evolving focus. The 1990s cemented this trend, with the magazine redesigning its format to cater to a younger readership, increasingly drawn to youth-oriented television, film actors, and contemporary popular music. This strategic move, however, led to accusations that the magazine was prioritizing style over substance.

2000–2015: Broadening Horizons and Resurgence

The early 2000s presented challenges, with readership figures showing a downward trend. Yet, a significant resurgence in relevance and interest occurred in the late 2000s, largely attributed to the impactful work of two younger journalists: Michael Hastings and Matt Taibbi . Rob Sheffield also joined the ranks, coming over from Spin . In 2005, Dana Leslie Fields , a long-serving publisher at Rolling Stone, was honored with an inaugural induction into the Magazine Hall of Fame.

The year 2009 proved pivotal. Matt Taibbi delivered a series of scathing reports dissecting the financial meltdown of the era. His now-famous characterization of Goldman Sachs as a “great vampire squid ” became a defining image of the financial crisis.

In December 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported on ambitious plans by Rolling Stone’s owners to open a themed restaurant in the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood . The hope was that this venture, slated for a spring 2010 opening, could serve as the prototype for a national chain. By November 2010, a “soft opening” was anticipated for December. The restaurant was operational, offering lunch, dinner, and a nightclub, by 2011, but ultimately closed its doors in February 2013.

More significant headlines, however, emerged in June 2010. Rolling Stone ignited a firestorm within the White House with the publication of journalist Michael Hastings ’s article, “The Runaway General.” The piece featured candid, critical remarks from General Stanley A. McChrystal , then commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, regarding Vice President Joe Biden and other administration officials. The fallout was swift, leading to McChrystal’s resignation shortly after the quotes became public knowledge. In the same year, Taibbi delved into the murky world of foreclosure courts, documenting illegal and fraudulent practices by banks in his article, “Invasion of the Home Snatchers,” which also detailed attempts to intimidate a homeowner fighting foreclosure.

In January 2012, the magazine published exclusive excerpts from Hastings’ book, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan. The book offered an expansive look into McChrystal’s command and the broader culture within the senior American military leadership. It quickly climbed Amazon.com ’s bestseller list and garnered favorable reviews, with Salon.com ’s Glenn Greenwald hailing it as “superb,” “brave,” and “eye-opening.” By 2012, Taibbi had established himself as a leading voice on the Libor scandal , his insightful coverage extending his influence beyond the magazine’s pages. On November 9, 2012, Rolling Stone launched its first Spanish-language section, focusing on Latino music and culture, appearing in the issue dated November 22.

2016–Present: A New Era of Ownership

The landscape of Rolling Stone underwent a significant transformation starting in 2016. In September of that year, Advertising Age reported that Jann Wenner was in the process of selling a substantial 49% stake in the magazine to Singapore-based BandLab Technologies . Crucially, this new investor was stated to have no direct involvement in the magazine’s editorial direction.

The following year, in September 2017, Wenner Media announced that the remaining 51% of Rolling Stone was also on the market. By December 2017, Penske Media had finalized the acquisition of the remaining stake, marking a significant shift in ownership. The magazine transitioned to a monthly publication format with the July 2018 issue. The consolidation of ownership was completed on January 31, 2019, when Penske acquired BandLab’s 49% stake, thereby gaining full control of the magazine.

The international reach of Rolling Stone continued to expand. January 2021 saw the launch of a Chinese edition, followed in September 2021 by a dedicated UK edition, developed in partnership with Stream Publishing, the publisher of Attitude magazine . This move placed the British Rolling Stone into a competitive market alongside established titles like Mojo and BandLab Technologies’s own Uncut . The inaugural issue offered a choice of three cover stars, featuring musical acts Bastille and Sam Fender, alongside actress Lashana Lynch, and was planned as a bi-monthly publication.

In a move signaling a diversification of its brand, Rolling Stone announced the acquisition of the Life Is Beautiful festival in February 2022, with executives stating, “Live events are an integral part of Rolling Stone’s future.”

The magazine’s journalistic endeavors continued to garner recognition. In 2023, Rolling Stone received its first-ever Emmy award nomination in the “Outstanding Interactive Media” category for its investigation into “The DJ and the War Crimes.” This piece also secured a National Magazine Award for digital design and an Overseas Press Club Award. By December 2023, the magazine had amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including five National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, four Front Page Awards, and a Deadline Club award.

In a significant editorial leadership change, August 2025 saw Sean Woods and Shirley Halperin appointed as co-editors in chief. Halperin also assumed the role of head of music, making her the first female editor-in-chief in the magazine’s history.

Covers

The covers of Rolling Stone have, for decades, served as a visual barometer of cultural significance. Certain artists have achieved near-legendary status through their repeated appearances. The Beatles , for instance, have graced the cover more than 30 times, either collectively or individually. The magazine’s penchant for provocative photography has made its covers iconic, capturing the essence of musicians and celebrities alike. The January 22, 1981, cover featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono was even lauded by Vanity Fair as the “Greatest Rolling Stone Cover Ever.”

The very first ten issues set a high bar, featuring a veritable who’s who of emerging talent:

• John Lennon
• Tina Turner
• The Beatles
• Jimi Hendrix , Donovan , and Otis Redding
• Jim Morrison
• Janis Joplin
• Jimi Hendrix
• Monterey International Pop Festival
• John Lennon and Paul McCartney
• Eric Clapton

The magazine demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the 1,000th issue in May 2006, which featured a $1 million (equivalent to $1.56 million in 2024) 3-D hologram cover showcasing a multitude of prominent figures.

Print Format

The physical embodiment of Rolling Stone has undergone several transformations. From its inception in 1967 until 1972, the magazine was presented in a folded tabloid newspaper format , devoid of staples, relying solely on black ink with a single, shifting color highlight per edition. From 1973 onwards, a shift to a four-color press and a different newsprint paper size became the standard. The introduction of the bar code occurred in 1979, followed by a significant change in 1980 when it adopted a gloss-paper, large-format (10 × 12 inch) magazine layout. A return to the more standard 8 × 11 inch magazine size commenced on October 30, 2008. However, with the transition to a monthly publication in July 2018, the magazine reverted to its earlier, larger 10 × 12 inch format. Most recently, in June 2024, a redesign introduced new exclusive fonts and a more textured paper stock, aiming for a grittier aesthetic.

Website

The digital presence of Rolling Stone has been a dynamic, and at times tumultuous, entity. Its website once hosted an extensive message board forum, which by the late 1990s had blossomed into a vibrant global community. However, this digital space was also plagued by Internet trolls , leading to its abrupt deletion in May 2004. A new, more limited forum emerged in late 2005, only to be removed again in 2006. The website attempted another iteration of a message board in March 2008, which was subsequently deleted in April 2010.

Rolling Stone dedicates space within its table of contents to promote its website content, providing detailed links to featured articles. A significant development occurred on April 19, 2010, with a website redesign that included the complete archives of the magazine. Initially a paid feature, the archive later transitioned to a free model for print subscribers. In the spring of 2012, the website introduced a federated search capability, enabling users to search both the live site and the archives.

The website has evolved into a rich source of biographical information on music artists, complemented by historical rankings. Users can cross-reference these lists and gain historical context. For example, the band Toots and the Maytals , featured on both Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and 500 Greatest Songs of All Time lists, is accompanied by biographical details explaining their coining of the term “reggae ” in their song “Do the Reggay ”. An alphabetically listed directory provides biographical information for all artists featured.

Glixel

In May 2016, Wenner Media announced its intention to launch Glixel, a separate online publication dedicated to video games and gaming culture. Gus Wenner , Jann Wenner’s son and then head of digital strategy, articulated the vision, stating, “gaming is today what rock ’n’ roll was when Rolling Stone was founded.” Glixel initially resided on the Rolling Stone website before migrating to its own domain by October 2016. Content from Glixel was also featured on the Rolling Stone site, and writers from the magazine contributed to Glixel. The site was led by John Davison and based in San Francisco. However, in June 2017, Glixel’s San Francisco offices were closed, and its staff was let go, citing logistical challenges in managing a remote operation from the main New York office. Brian Crecente , a prominent figure in gaming journalism, was brought on as editorial director to oversee the site from New York. Following the acquisition of Rolling Stone’s assets by Penske Media Corporation , Glixel’s content was integrated into the regular publishing schedule of Variety , with Crecente continuing as editorial director.

Political Alignment

Rolling Stone has been described as a publication with a distinct political leaning. In 2017, Graham Ruddick of The Guardian characterized it as a “rock’n’roll magazine turned liberal cheerleader.” Bruce Schulman , writing for The Washington Post , noted that Rolling Stone has “routinely support[ed] liberal candidates and causes” since the 1990s.

Conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg asserted in 2008 that the magazine had “essentially become the house organ of the Democratic National Committee .” This sentiment is reinforced by Jann Wenner’s consistent political donations to Democrats and his high-profile interviews with Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama . The magazine officially endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .

Conversely, Rolling Stone has been a vocal critic of Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump . In 2006, it controversially labeled Bush as the “worst president in history.” An August 2017 cover featured Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau under the headline, “Why can’t he be our president?”

Criticism and Controversies

Rolling Stone’s editorial choices have not been without controversy. A persistent criticism revolves around what some perceive as a generational bias, an overemphasis on the music and culture of the 1960s and 1970s. The magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs” list, for example, was decried by one critic as an instance of “unrepentant rockist fogeyism.” Jim DeRogatis , a former Rolling Stone editor, offered a comprehensive critique of the magazine’s lists in his book Kill Your Idols: A New Generation of Rock Writers Reconsiders the Classics.

The magazine has also faced accusations of inconsistency, notably in its reconsideration of albums it had previously dismissed. Led Zeppelin, largely overlooked by Rolling Stone critics during their 1970s heyday, was later lauded in a 2006 cover story as “the Heaviest Band of All Time.” A critic for Slate magazine pointed out the glaring omissions in the 1984 [The Rolling Stone Record Guide], which largely ignored hip-hop and heavily panned heavy metal—genres that would soon dominate the charts. The anecdote highlighted the inherent challenge of making definitive pronouncements in the ever-evolving music landscape.

The hiring of Ed Needham, a former editor of FHM , in 2002 further fueled criticism from those who felt Rolling Stone had compromised its journalistic integrity.

In 2003, the “100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time” list, featuring only two women, prompted Venus Zine to publish its own counter-list, “The Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time.”

Film critic Peter Travers has also faced criticism for his frequent and sometimes repetitive use of blurbs .

Homosexual HIV Story

The 2003 article “Bug Chasers: The men who long to be HIV+ ” claimed that homosexuals intentionally seeking HIV infection constituted 25% of new cases annually. However, physicians cited in the article later denied making such statements, casting doubt on the article’s veracity and raising questions about journalistic accuracy.

Anti-vaccine Article

In 2005, the article “Deadly Immunity ,” penned by anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , drew considerable criticism for allegedly quoting material out of context. In response to these and other objections, Rolling Stone eventually amended the story and published corrections.

Tsarnaev Cover

The August 2013 cover of Rolling Stone, featuring Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the then-accused (and later convicted) Boston Marathon bomber , ignited widespread condemnation. Critics accused the magazine of “glamorizing terrorism” and called the cover a “slap in the face to the great city of Boston .” The online version of the article was accompanied by an editorial defending the piece as consistent with the magazine’s tradition of “serious and thoughtful coverage.” It’s worth noting that the controversial photograph itself had previously appeared on the front page of The New York Times in May 2013.

The public outcry led to several New England–based retailers, including CVS Pharmacy and Tedeschi Food Shops , banning the issue from their stores. They were subsequently joined by Walgreens , Rite Aid , Kmart , Roche Bros. , Stop & Shop , H-E-B , Walmart , 7-Eleven , Hy-Vee , Rutter’s Farm , United Supermarkets , Cumberland Farms , Market Basket , and Shaw’s .

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino penned a letter to Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, labeling the cover “ill-conceived, at best” and arguing that it amplified the message that “destruction gains fame for killers and their ‘causes’.” Menino suggested that Wenner could have instead focused on the survivors or the first responders. He concluded, “The survivors of the Boston Marathon deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, though I no longer feel that Rolling Stone deserves them.”

Defamatory False Rape Story and Lawsuit

The article “A Rape on Campus,” published on November 19, 2014, detailing an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia , became a watershed moment of journalistic failure. Subsequent investigations by Phi Kappa Psi , the fraternity implicated in the story, and The Washington Post uncovered significant errors, omissions, and discrepancies. Reporter Sabrina Erdely ’s account faced intense media scrutiny, leading to calls for the dismissal of magazine staff involved. Rolling Stone issued multiple apologies.

On December 5, 2014, managing editor Will Dana admitted to a failure in fact-checking the story. An external investigation commissioned by the magazine, conducted by the dean of the Columbia School of Journalism , revealed not only journalistic failings specific to the UVA story but also broader institutional issues within Rolling Stone’s reporting practices. The magazine officially retracted the story on April 5, 2015. The following day, Phi Kappa Psi announced its intention to pursue legal action, including claims of defamation .

On May 12, 2015, Nicole Eramo, UVA’s associate dean responsible for handling sexual assault issues, filed a $7.5 million defamation lawsuit against Rolling Stone and Erdely. The lawsuit alleged that the magazine and reporter prioritized a preconceived narrative over factual accuracy, seeking to boost declining sales. After 20 hours of deliberation, a jury found Rolling Stone, its publisher, and Erdely liable for defaming Eramo, awarding her $3 million.

Further legal repercussions followed. On July 29, 2015, three graduates of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity filed their own lawsuit against the magazine and Erdely for defamation and infliction of emotional distress. Coincidentally, on the same day, managing editor Will Dana announced his departure from the magazine. By November 9, 2015, the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity filed suit seeking $25 million in damages, alleging “reckless disregard for the truth.” Rolling Stone eventually settled this suit out of court for $1.65 million.

Ethics Controversy Over El Chapo Interview

In 2016, Rolling Stone commissioned actor Sean Penn to conduct an interview with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán , then a fugitive wanted by Mexican and U.S. authorities. The interview, billed as a landmark event, was granted by Guzmán on the condition that he retain final editorial control over the article. Upon publication, the article, described by the Associated Press as “long and rambling,” was met with widespread mockery on social media and ignited a debate about journalistic ethics. Andrew Seaman, chair of the Society of Professional Journalists’ ethics committee, deemed allowing a source pre-approval “inexcusable.” Kelly McBride, chief ethicist at the Poynter Institute , suggested the article demonstrated multiple failures of editorial control by Rolling Stone. Alfredo Corchado, a former Mexico City bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News , argued that pre-approval rendered the piece “business, it’s Hollywood. It’s more in the lines of what a public relations firm would do,” rather than genuine journalism.

Questions also arose regarding whether the magazine’s relaxed security protocols inadvertently aided authorities in locating and apprehending Guzmán, who was arrested shortly after the interview. Meanwhile, actress Kate del Castillo , who had facilitated the meeting, claimed Penn had “used me as a bait” and endangered her life and the lives of those around her. Penn himself later admitted his article had “failed,” acknowledging that the ethical debate overshadowed the content of the report.

False Ivermectin Story

In September 2021, Rolling Stone published a story based on a report from the Oklahoma news outlet KFOR . The story claimed an overwhelming number of hospitalizations due to ivermectin overdoses in Oklahoma had led to a shortage of intensive care unit beds, impacting patients with other conditions, including gunshot wounds. However, an Oklahoma hospital refuted the claim, stating there was no bed shortage attributable to ivermectin overdoses. Furthermore, the doctor interviewed by KFOR clarified that their comments about ivermectin overdoses and scarce beds had been conflated. CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale noted that Rolling Stone had published an adaptation of the KFOR story “without appearing to do sufficient research to make sure the local report was sound.” Rolling Stone subsequently issued an editor’s note retracting the central assertion of its story. Kyle Smith of National Review sarcastically commented on the retraction, and Robby Soave of Reason remarked that the magazine could have easily verified the facts by contacting Oklahoma hospitals directly. Alex Shephard of The New Republic urged mainstream and liberal media outlets to prioritize due diligence and source verification.

James Gordon Meek Child Pornography Case

On January 31, 2023, ABC News reporter James Gordon Meek was arrested by the FBI on charges of transporting child pornography. Rolling Stone initially broke the story but notably omitted any mention of the child sexual abuse material that triggered the investigation, material known to the reporters. Instead, the article suggested Meek had been “targeted” by the U.S. government due to his reporting on national security issues, implying he was “on the wrong side of the national-security apparatus.” Subsequent revelations indicated that Rolling Stone editor [Noah Shachtman], who had a personal relationship with Meek, had the story rewritten to exclude any reference to the child sexual abuse material, without the knowledge of the original journalist, Tatiana Siegel.

In Popular Culture

The influence of Rolling Stone has permeated popular culture in various forms. George Harrison’s 1975 song “This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying) ” contains a lyrical jab, “Learned to get up when I fall / Can even climb Rolling Stone walls,” a response to unfavorable reviews from the magazine.

The 2000 film Almost Famous , directed by Cameron Crowe , centers on a young journalist chronicling a fictional band for the magazine, drawing heavily from Crowe’s own experiences as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone in the early 1970s.

The novelty song “The Cover of Rolling Stone ” by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show satirizes the pursuit of fame in the music industry, with the band lamenting their inability to achieve the ultimate validation: appearing on the magazine’s cover.

Pink Floyd ’s album The Final Cut features the line, “Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone ?” in its title track. Jethro Tull ’s song “Baker Street Muse” on their album Minstrel in the Gallery includes the dismissive line, “I have no time for Time Magazine or Rolling Stone.” Charlie Robison’s 1998 song “Sunset Boulevard” echoes the aspiration with the lyric, “Well, I wish I had my picture on the Rolling Stone today.”

In Stephen King ’s novel Firestarter , the protagonists opt to share their story with Rolling Stone. Joni Mitchell references the magazine in her song “California” with the line, “Reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue .”

The play Retraction, which premiered in May 2022 at Theatre Row in New York City, dramatizes the controversy surrounding the “A Rape on Campus” article and the subsequent legal battles. Afarin Majidi’s memoir, Writing and Madness in a Time of Terror, also details experiences of a sexually abusive work environment at Rolling Stone.

International Editions

As of 2025, Rolling Stone boasts 15 active international editions. The inaugural international publication was Rolling Stone Australia, launched in 1969, with the most recent addition being Rolling Stone Philippines in print in 2025.

• Rolling Stone Africa / Rolling Stone Afrique: Published by the Mwankom Group since 2024, based in Lagos , Nigeria.
• Rolling Stone Argentina: Published by La Nación since April 1998, with circulation extending to Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
• Rolling Stone Australia / New Zealand : Initially a supplement in Revolution in 1969, it became an independent title in 1971. After several publishers, it was closed in 2018 and relaunched in 2020 as Rolling Stone Australia, becoming Rolling Stone AU / NZ in 2022. Separate websites exist for Australia and New Zealand, but the print edition covers both.
• Rolling Stone Brasil: An unofficial edition briefly published in 1972, it was officially launched in 2006 by Spring Comunicações and ran until 2018, before being relaunched.
• Rolling Stone En Español: Published since 2002 for Mexico and Latin America, initially by PRISA and later by Editorial Televisa.
• Rolling Stone France: Launched in 1988, it ceased publication in 2007, then relaunched from 2008 to 2016 under 1633sa, and has been published by RS France since 2019.
• Rolling Stone Germany: Published since 1994 by Axel Springer AG .
• Rolling Stone India: Launched in March 2008 by MW.Com.
• Rolling Stone Italia: Published from 1980 to 1982, it was relaunched in November 2003. After changing publishers, it became online-only in 2019 under Luciano Bernardini de Pace Editore.
• Rolling Stone Japan: Launched in March 2007 by International Luxury Media, and published by atomixmedia Inc. since 2011.
• Rolling Stone Korea: Launched in 2020 for South Korea .
• Rolling Stone Middle East and North Africa: Launched in 2010 as Rolling Stone Middle East by HGW Media, it is set to return in 2025 as Rolling Stone MENA.
• Rolling Stone Philippines : Launched in December 2024 by Modern Media Group.
• Rolling Stone Québec: Launched in 2024 for Quebec , published in both French and English.
• Rolling Stone UK: Initially published as Friends of Rolling Stone, then Friends and Frendz, from 1969 to 1972. It was relaunched as Rolling Stone UK in September 2021.

Defunct Editions

• Piedra Rodante: Mexican edition, eight issues published between 1971-72.
• Rolling Stone Bulgaria: Published from 2009 to 2011.
• Rolling Stone Canada: Published from the 1970s or 1980s.
• Rolling Stone Chile: Published from 2003 to 2011.
• Rolling Stone China: Published by One Media Group from 2005 to 2006, relaunched in 2021, and ceased publication again in 2022.
• Rolling Stone España: Published from 1999 to 2015.
• Rolling Stone Indonesia: Published from 2005 to 2017.
• Rolling Stone New Zealand: Published in the mid-1970s and early 1980s.
• Rolling Stone Russia: Published from 2004 to 2022.
• Rolling Stone South Africa: Published from 2011 to 2014.
• Rolling Stone Türkiye: Published from 2006 to 2009.
• Serbo-Croatian Rolling Stone: Published from 2013 to 2015, circulated in former Yugoslav-countries .

See Also

• The Rolling Stone Interview
• Counterculture of the 1960s
• Rolling Stone charts
• List of underground newspapers of the 1960s counterculture