Master of Puppets

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Some people are more interesting interviews than others. Harrison Ford has many exciting film roles. He is not exciting on talk shows.

Tony Randall was always fascinating on talk shows even if his latest project was not as good as what came before. Jann Wenner releasing a book called The Masters- it is like "The Great Masters" in art.

Some interpreted it as master and servant. He leaned into certain musicians. Is Jerry Garcia interesting in interviews? He performed and toured. The Grateful Dead are not known for their lyrics.

When he said certain performers did not articulate on that level; it meant they were not as enriching in interviews. Pete Townsend is in the book and always gives great interviews.

I have a copy of Lennon Remembers. That 1970 interview might be considered "Authentic" at this point. He was mad about the dissolution of The Beatles and the freaks on the phone who wouldn't leave him alone.

There was always a subjective tone to Rolling Stone. It is the most popular music magazine if you can find it. That does not mean it is the best. I was always more attuned to British music criticism.

Any time I make a funny caption in a headline it is tribute to Creem magazine. That was an urgent magazine. By the time I read Rolling Stone most of the great journalists moved on.

Lester Bangs, Griel Marcus, Dave Marsh- this was my education. I never went to college. I read Mystery Train and that was more fulfilling. Not including Black or female artists- that isn't who Rolling Stone showcased.

There were really good Stevie Wonder interviews that appeared in other collections. I have never read a Curtis Mayfield interview. I hardly recall Aretha Franklin interviews. She mostly sang on talk shows.

Shouldn't Lou Reed have been included? He always had provocative interviews. I am not sure if there is a down and dirty interview with Carole King. Of course she would have a lot to say.

Should this tarnish Jann Wenner's legacy? The past thirty-five years of Rolling Stone did that. It became interchangeable with Us which they also published. The record reviews usually had integrity.

Jim DeRogatis was fired because he was going to give a less than pleasing review to Hootie and the Blowfish's second album. Since they were on a previous cover they were not supposed to receive a bad review. Any band can misstep and I was never particularly a fan.

Rolling Stone brought music and a new journalism; introducing me to the works of Tom Wolfe, Hunter Thompson and many others. Archived interviews should not penalize someone. Grace Slick is interesting in interviews. Fascinating, actually. She may not have had long form interviews like Jann Wenner's usual suspects.

Prince did not grant many interviews and they may not have been what he was looking for in this collection. Some let the music do the talking. I know little or nothing about most DJ's. A local club owner is friends with Tiesto and when he tours in the area they get together.

At this point, music interviews may not be as urgent. They are needed. Howard Stern is going to have Paul Simon on his show. You cannot tell me he is not a "Master". Frank Zappa could have filled a section.

Selecting this group- it is unlikely Jann Wenner interviewed Elvis Presley. By the time the magazine took off Elvis was in his Las Vegas phase and seemingly not as interesting.

If you don't like the choice of musicians showcased; don't read it. Not everything has to be under the prism of inclusion. Mick Jagger is showcased and like most English musicians he was influenced by Black artists; more than Americans were. Someone else can vote for inductions to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at this point.

Is this book promotion? It probably won't lead to more sales. It is not as bad as when the Patriot's Day Bomber was placed on the cover looking cute after he committed a terrorist act.

There is probably something to learn from these interviews. Read them or don't. The media is trying to make this like Jerry Lewis saying there were no funny female comedians. Old dog.