Rolling Stone Rocks & Rolls

I got Rolling Stone magazine as a free year-long subscription as part of a promotion. Surprisingly, although I love music, I don’t believe I had ever looked at it before. I had no idea what to expect but I figured it would be a change from the fitness magazines I get.

It was. When my first issue came with Kate Hudson on the cover I ignored it for awhile. I didn't think I would like it or be able to relate to it. Then I flipped through it and was totally delighted with the articles, the quality of the writing, the philosophy of the magazine and its layout.

My second issue came and I was just as impressed. The covers are fantastic; the second one having a full size picture of Jakob Dylan on it.

I am reviewing the November 9, 2000 issue because it is the latest one I have. This one features Al Gore on the cover with other headlines that include: John Lennon remembered and O.J. Simpson Incorporated.

This 148-page magazine is an incredibly good buy for $3.00. You will get your money’s worth. It is larger than the normal magazine measuring 12 inches long. It also has a slightly different texture than others; a cross between a traditional magazine and a newspaper. The subscription is 26 issues per year at a cost of $17.97 a huge savings from the newsstand price.

What do I like in this issue:

Every issue has “Correspondence, Love Letters & Advise” and I find it informative and fun to read. These are letters from people but I find them much more substantial than in other magazines I read. I loved this letter summarized as: I enjoyed your photo of the Material Girl but you missed a credit line: PhotoShop wrinkle retouching by________ and this is the kind of “stuff” you will find in this magazine. No nonsense, up front editorials and reporting.

Please note: There is swearing in the magazine so if that offends you, it is not one you want to read.

The Rolling Stone Interview with Al Gore is an amazing 10-pages of some of the best information I’ve read. Not only do they interview him “live from Air Force Two, The Vice President discusses his life, our future, why he wants to be President – and why the Beatles will always be his favorite band” but they also compare his and Bush’s positions on issues such as civil rights, abortion, taxes and guns.

The 20-page tribute to John Lennon could not have been done better. Steven Tyler, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow and many others remember him. Producer Phil Spector revisits his close working relationship with John Lennon.

An excerpt from Jann S. Warner’s book “Lennon Remembers” which has just been published is terrific. Warner was founder and editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone in the late 1970s.

"Gimme Some Truth" talks about Lennon's childhood and the man who went from rock stardom with the Beatles to a man who “threw it all away and started over as a self-made, self-taught poet, artist and social activist.”

You will also find amazing pictures of John, The Beatles, John with friends, and, of course, John and Yoko.

O.J. Simpson is still trading on his fame and Rolling Stone tells you how. I have mixed feeling about this…but the media has the right to print it. In my opinion as long as he is given coverage he will continue to trade on his fame and make money. The article is interesting, though and I certainly wouldn’t have skipped it just because of my personal feelings about the man.

And of course there are the music reviews. Four stars for U2 “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” and reviews of many others some of whom I will admit I haven’t a clue as to what they sing or write or play!

You’ll find “The Best Music That’s Only on the Web” and reviews on television shows. You can also read reviews on movies. Finally you will find a chart of the top records in various categories. #1 for Rolling Stone readers was Eminem’s The Marshal Mathers LP and for Billboard’s #1 you’ll find Madonna’s Music.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this magazine. If you aren’t into music, skip over it and read the excellent articles. If you love music you are probably already reading this and if you are skipping over the articles, give them a try.