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The Rolling Stone Interviews
The greatest interviews with the greatest rock stars, movie stars, and cultural icons -- uncensored and unfiltered -- are published together in one remarkable volume in celebration of Rolling Stones 40th anniversary.
495 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1971
163 people are currently reading
1163 people want to read
About the author
Jann S. Wenner
511 books47 followersJann Simon Wenner is the co-founder and publisher of the music and politics bi-weekly Rolling Stone, as well as the owner of Men's Journal and Us Weekly magazines.
Wenner grew up in a secular Jewish family. His parents divorced in 1958, and he and his sisters, Kate and Merlyn, were sent to boarding schools to live. He graduated from high school at Chadwick School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley. Before dropping out of Berkeley in 1966, Wenner was active in the Free Speech Movement and produced the column "Something's Happening" in the student-run newspaper, The Daily Californian. With the help of his mentor, San Francisco Chronicle jazz critic Ralph J. Gleason, Wenner landed a job at Ramparts, a high-circulation muckraker, where Gleason was a contributing editor and Wenner worked on the magazine's spinoff newspaper. In 1967, Wenner and Gleason founded Rolling Stone in San Francisco.
Wenner grew up in a secular Jewish family. His parents divorced in 1958, and he and his sisters, Kate and Merlyn, were sent to boarding schools to live. He graduated from high school at Chadwick School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley. Before dropping out of Berkeley in 1966, Wenner was active in the Free Speech Movement and produced the column "Something's Happening" in the student-run newspaper, The Daily Californian. With the help of his mentor, San Francisco Chronicle jazz critic Ralph J. Gleason, Wenner landed a job at Ramparts, a high-circulation muckraker, where Gleason was a contributing editor and Wenner worked on the magazine's spinoff newspaper. In 1967, Wenner and Gleason founded Rolling Stone in San Francisco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 28, 2017
Worth anyone's time who needs to understand that celebrities are rather odd people who seem to march to the beat of a different drum than the vast majority. Jagger seemed the sanest by far with Coppela interesting in his discussion on Apocalypse Now.
April 8, 2008
Here are the impressions that I got from this book of interviews:
- John Lennon was a complete loon.
- Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love really loved each other and their daughter a lot.
- Ozzy Osborne didn't start out as a guy who liked to bite heads off of bats.
- Spike Lee is a very angry man.
- Axl Rose is out of his mind.
- Patti Smith is a gentle person.
- Eminem really cares about children.
These aren't necessarily facts--just the feelings that I got from how these people answered questions.
- John Lennon was a complete loon.
- Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love really loved each other and their daughter a lot.
- Ozzy Osborne didn't start out as a guy who liked to bite heads off of bats.
- Spike Lee is a very angry man.
- Axl Rose is out of his mind.
- Patti Smith is a gentle person.
- Eminem really cares about children.
These aren't necessarily facts--just the feelings that I got from how these people answered questions.
November 10, 2013
Phew! I'm finally finished with this book. I think it was less the number of pages in this book that was daunting as it was how many of the interviews I found really boring. I set down the book several times for weeks on end, before I'd get the discipline to push on through some more. I'm not sorry I read it, but it certainly felt like work at several points. It was worth it for the good interviews, though, and an overall sense of the American music/ pop culture scene, which is still something I'm learning retroactively.
One thing I'm learning, between these interviews and an aborted attempt to read Clapton's autobiography, and a few other books by/ about musicians--I don't have much in common with many die-hard musicians. While I enjoy music very much, I don't play it, and so reading endless commentary on the craft itself is not very interesting. And some of these musicians don't seem to have interest in much of anything beside the craft, and the pursuit of a lifestyle that allows them to focus on their music. I respect their dedication, but I don't find it riveting, at least not in their own words. I think the lives of people like Clapton and Dylan and Patti Smith would probably be more interesting told as a biographical story by someone else, than an autobiographical book or interview. At least that's my opinion.
Still, it's interesting to get impressions of these various artists over the years. I definitely learned more about all of the interviewees, and found some new people I found interesting and worth learning more about. here's a breakdown by person, from what I can remember of their interview:
Pete Townsend--Aside from topics like breaking guitars in the show and having a big nose, I don't remember much. Bored me.
Jim Morrison--What a strange, fascinating man. He seemed a lot more intelligent/ educated and self aware (almost meta) than many of the other artists, with an education in something other than music. So it was interesting hearing him comment on the sociological implications of music and movies and such. It was shocking how obvious his issues with alcohol were, though, simply in the interview.
Phil Spector--I think he produced something. I didn't find him interesting but did find him arrogant.
John Lennon--Wow, what an egomaniac! If you're a musical genius and you know it, clap your hands....Yoko Ono's sycophantic chiming in didn't win me over either. I learned a lot more about the Beatles, at least, but it didn't make me like any of them anymore, and actually made me less interested in their music.
Ray Charles--I found him interesting and personable. He was honest about his various challenges (blindness, addiction), but didn't seem to feel sorry for himself. His rehab story is pretty impressive, if true. His comments on American civil liberties were pretty insightful. and I never knew he did a country album!
Truman Capote--What a strange man! I did not like him at all. I didn't respect him, either, for blowing off his assignment and thus leading to this annoying interview.
Johnny Cash--I like his music, and he seemed nice, but the interview was not very interesting. He seemed like a down to earth, kinda spiritual guy.
Neil Young--bleh. I don't even remember anything about him, only that I didn't enjoy anything about the interview.
Oriana Fallaci--I never heard of her before, but found her interview the most interesting out of all the book. I'd love to find out more about her--she seemed very sharp and insightful, a highly individualistic introverted feminist and socialist, someone I could relate to, aside from her views on religion.
Brian Wilson--Strange and boring all at once. New Agey and clearly an addict. Makes me rethink all those Beach Boys' songs.
George Lucas--A much more intellectual and educated man than I expected. I was also surprised by how much of his efforts, especially with Star Wars, were motivated out of concerns for equipping kids, especially tweens, for better lives, reigniting their creativity and imagination with fantasy in a world made otherwise bleak and dark by wars. He seemed like a Renaissance man, talking sociology in the interview, but also so multi-talented, as a cameraman, writer, director, sociologist, and toy and obscure film afficianado. Also diabetic, which I didn't know either. I liked him and found him interesting.
Johnny Carson--He seemed both interesting and yet private/ secretive--an analytical, thoughtful, self aware introvert. I can see why he did so well at his job for so long.
Joni Mitchell--I learned that she liked art even more than music. Aside from that, I found her rather vague and dreary and sort of selfish--not interesting.
Francis (Ford) Coppola--He is obviously very arty and analytical. I haven't seen Apocalypse now and don't want to, so the extremely detailed discussion of the nuances of the movie did not interest me t at all.
Tom Wolfe--I can't even remember anything about him. I think he was some kind of writer. yawn.
Jack Nicholson--I seem to remember that he was rather charming, if very sexual and admittedly not monogamous by preference. He had a lot more emotional baggage than I realized, but he obviously made something good of himself.
Bill Murray--It was interesting to read about his family life, if a bit sad. I didn't find him or a detailed discussion of the art of comedy really interesting, though.
Clint Eastwood--I'm always happy to find celebrities who are introverts too. Eastwood seems like a smart man who never totally lost touch with his blue collar cultural roots. very sensible.
Eric Clapton--I already knew from trying to read his autobiography that I don't find Clapton's life very fascinating. It's a man and his love affair with music, and the history and work that got him there. This interview seemed like more of the same. (He surely is an amazing musician, though.)
Tina Turner--I only had general pop culture knowledge about Tina, so I was interested to learn a little more about her life. It's amazing that even such a successful woman could have been caught in such an abusive and controlling relationship. I'm really impressed with her strength in getting herself out of it finally.
Robin Williams--All the funny people seem to have a layer of sadness under the laughing facade. Williams has had a rough life, despite his priviledged beginnings. I can't really relate to him, though.
Leonard Bernstein--a cultured, charming and intelligent man, very socially and politically aware and involved, passionate about spreading and maintaining the arts. I'm not sure I would have felt at ease around him, but I liked him. The story of how he got connected to the Black Panthers was sort of amusing.
Spike Lee--as a friend said, he is a very angry man. I find issues of racism interesting, but some people are so angry about it that it's difficult and uncomfortable to hear what they have to say. Spike Lee was like that.
Jerry Garcia--unmemorable. cant' remember anything about it.
Axl Rose--OK, maybe he was crazy, but I actually liked him. Here was a guy with nothing who suddenly had everything, and I think that'd be a lot to handle, even for an extremely stable person. And he is clearly not an extremely stable person. I respected that he was so candid and unashamed about the things he'd been through, especially the abuse, and that he's seeking appropriate help to deal with them. I also loved that he loved his girlfriend's son so much and was so invested in his well-being and development. He was just trying to deal with his issues and move on and be healthy--who can fault a man for that? Most people are too afraid to look into the abyss and try to heal. I liked his courage and his honesty a lot.
Bruce Springsteen--wasn't awfully interesting. Seemed like a nice man with some baggage.
David Letterman--Also not awfully interesting. I wasn't interested in the Late Night Wars when they happened, and I'm still not.
David Geffen--He had some family issues that were interesting but overall the interview bored me.
Kurt Cobain--an explosive, emotional, unstable man. I can't say I really liked him. I didn't realize he suffered from physical ailments (stomach pain), but still...he seemed like a difficult person, hating to perform his own music, feuding with other bands, tired of his own band, talking about suicide...tragic but not surprising how things turned out.
Courtney Love--On the other side of this relationship, though, Courtney Love really surprised me. Not that she doesn't have issues of her own, a lot of them, but she also has a really big heart. I didn't realize how tight she and Kurt Cobain were (despite his craziness and selfishness and dependency on her), or just how much they both loved their daughter. Hearing a more detailed version of everything that happened to him in the end was kind of heartbreaking. I admire her strength for recovering from that and being there for her daughter. Dealing with her pain and issues and moving on. I liked her.
Mick Jagger--I had no idea he was from a kind of posh family. Or that he was so personally reserved and disciplined and self aware. Definitely an interesting guy.
Patti Smith--boring. I just barely forced myself through this.
Dr Hunter S Thompson--Haven't read his stuff, or seen the movies of them. Now I don't want to. I don't see how writing about excessive substance abuse is interesting. no thanks.
Bill Clinton--I've listened to Clinton's memoirs, read by himself. The tone in that was more genial and relaxed than in this interview. I guess that since this was closer to/ during his actual presidency, with all the drama that entailed, that the emotions were a bit fresher--he was angrier and more frustrated, sharper. or so it seemed to me. he also came across like a smart man who really enjoyed serving his country as the president.
The Dalai Lama--He seems like a kind, smart man, who knows a lot about his world and his faith. His answers were complex and yet simple. It was difficult for me to believe the likelihood of anyone buying into the solutions that he offered for the world's problems, though, since they were a little too idealistic even for me (and a different faith than mine, which I'm sure affected my perception too.)
Bob Dylan--much like Clapton, he mostly talks about the music. However, he's more about the lyrics, and a lot about politics and social issues, and I liked that about him.
Ozzy Osbourne--I liked him a lot more than I expected to. I didn't know that Black Sabbath had started off as a "normal" band, and just decided to go scary to be more successful. It's funny that the band is viewed by conservatives as "Satanic" and so dark and dangerous, but when compared with what Osbourne's saying, it's not really like that at all. I liked his candor about his personal life growing up, and respect his work ethic in response to that poverty. I also respect the long and overall happy marriage he and Sharon have had, although I found his brief, dismissive response to the question of his having tried to kill Sharon at one point kind of disturbing. It's a bigger deal than his answer would imply. but otherwise he seemed like a nice, down to earth guy, and I really liked that about him.
Keith Richards--Also more likable than I expected. I still don't get how someone can use and abuse as many controlled substances as he does, but he seemed like a fairly smart and hardworking guy despite it, if a bit chaotic. it's interesting to see the contrasts between him and Mick.
Eminem--Possibly my favorite interview in here. I liked him more than ever after reading this. He's a smart, thoughtful person, despite culture and language that can present him as a thug or something. I love how much he cares about kids, especially his kids, and what he'll do to help them. Even his answers about Kim Mathers were pretty restrained and respectful. He understands that his relationship with her impacts the children, and I have to respect that. and he can admit that their relationship is complex and long-standing in a way that no one else can ever compete with. That's what I liked about him most--despite the wackiness of his upbringing, all the crazy things he talks about in his songs, especially his mom's instability, he is someone who has thought about the long-term implications of his behavior, of addiction, illegal activity, etc, and made conscious choices based on what will make a better life for his kids and himself. That makes him a good, if often sad and angry, man in my eyes.
Bono--He has a weird way of talking, very abrupt, and switching back and forth between past and present tenses. I didn't know anything about his upbringing, so learning about the family tension and how his drive to succeed grew out of it was interesting. I find it interesting too, how he downplays his faith in conversation. it's hard to get a feel on what he really thinks or believes, but at least he seems like a very thoughtful man, and I could relate to how he found the sacred in everything, even in the most secular of music.
Overall I learned a lot and might try out some new artists because of this. I'm glad it's finished, though.
One thing I'm learning, between these interviews and an aborted attempt to read Clapton's autobiography, and a few other books by/ about musicians--I don't have much in common with many die-hard musicians. While I enjoy music very much, I don't play it, and so reading endless commentary on the craft itself is not very interesting. And some of these musicians don't seem to have interest in much of anything beside the craft, and the pursuit of a lifestyle that allows them to focus on their music. I respect their dedication, but I don't find it riveting, at least not in their own words. I think the lives of people like Clapton and Dylan and Patti Smith would probably be more interesting told as a biographical story by someone else, than an autobiographical book or interview. At least that's my opinion.
Still, it's interesting to get impressions of these various artists over the years. I definitely learned more about all of the interviewees, and found some new people I found interesting and worth learning more about. here's a breakdown by person, from what I can remember of their interview:
Pete Townsend--Aside from topics like breaking guitars in the show and having a big nose, I don't remember much. Bored me.
Jim Morrison--What a strange, fascinating man. He seemed a lot more intelligent/ educated and self aware (almost meta) than many of the other artists, with an education in something other than music. So it was interesting hearing him comment on the sociological implications of music and movies and such. It was shocking how obvious his issues with alcohol were, though, simply in the interview.
Phil Spector--I think he produced something. I didn't find him interesting but did find him arrogant.
John Lennon--Wow, what an egomaniac! If you're a musical genius and you know it, clap your hands....Yoko Ono's sycophantic chiming in didn't win me over either. I learned a lot more about the Beatles, at least, but it didn't make me like any of them anymore, and actually made me less interested in their music.
Ray Charles--I found him interesting and personable. He was honest about his various challenges (blindness, addiction), but didn't seem to feel sorry for himself. His rehab story is pretty impressive, if true. His comments on American civil liberties were pretty insightful. and I never knew he did a country album!
Truman Capote--What a strange man! I did not like him at all. I didn't respect him, either, for blowing off his assignment and thus leading to this annoying interview.
Johnny Cash--I like his music, and he seemed nice, but the interview was not very interesting. He seemed like a down to earth, kinda spiritual guy.
Neil Young--bleh. I don't even remember anything about him, only that I didn't enjoy anything about the interview.
Oriana Fallaci--I never heard of her before, but found her interview the most interesting out of all the book. I'd love to find out more about her--she seemed very sharp and insightful, a highly individualistic introverted feminist and socialist, someone I could relate to, aside from her views on religion.
Brian Wilson--Strange and boring all at once. New Agey and clearly an addict. Makes me rethink all those Beach Boys' songs.
George Lucas--A much more intellectual and educated man than I expected. I was also surprised by how much of his efforts, especially with Star Wars, were motivated out of concerns for equipping kids, especially tweens, for better lives, reigniting their creativity and imagination with fantasy in a world made otherwise bleak and dark by wars. He seemed like a Renaissance man, talking sociology in the interview, but also so multi-talented, as a cameraman, writer, director, sociologist, and toy and obscure film afficianado. Also diabetic, which I didn't know either. I liked him and found him interesting.
Johnny Carson--He seemed both interesting and yet private/ secretive--an analytical, thoughtful, self aware introvert. I can see why he did so well at his job for so long.
Joni Mitchell--I learned that she liked art even more than music. Aside from that, I found her rather vague and dreary and sort of selfish--not interesting.
Francis (Ford) Coppola--He is obviously very arty and analytical. I haven't seen Apocalypse now and don't want to, so the extremely detailed discussion of the nuances of the movie did not interest me t at all.
Tom Wolfe--I can't even remember anything about him. I think he was some kind of writer. yawn.
Jack Nicholson--I seem to remember that he was rather charming, if very sexual and admittedly not monogamous by preference. He had a lot more emotional baggage than I realized, but he obviously made something good of himself.
Bill Murray--It was interesting to read about his family life, if a bit sad. I didn't find him or a detailed discussion of the art of comedy really interesting, though.
Clint Eastwood--I'm always happy to find celebrities who are introverts too. Eastwood seems like a smart man who never totally lost touch with his blue collar cultural roots. very sensible.
Eric Clapton--I already knew from trying to read his autobiography that I don't find Clapton's life very fascinating. It's a man and his love affair with music, and the history and work that got him there. This interview seemed like more of the same. (He surely is an amazing musician, though.)
Tina Turner--I only had general pop culture knowledge about Tina, so I was interested to learn a little more about her life. It's amazing that even such a successful woman could have been caught in such an abusive and controlling relationship. I'm really impressed with her strength in getting herself out of it finally.
Robin Williams--All the funny people seem to have a layer of sadness under the laughing facade. Williams has had a rough life, despite his priviledged beginnings. I can't really relate to him, though.
Leonard Bernstein--a cultured, charming and intelligent man, very socially and politically aware and involved, passionate about spreading and maintaining the arts. I'm not sure I would have felt at ease around him, but I liked him. The story of how he got connected to the Black Panthers was sort of amusing.
Spike Lee--as a friend said, he is a very angry man. I find issues of racism interesting, but some people are so angry about it that it's difficult and uncomfortable to hear what they have to say. Spike Lee was like that.
Jerry Garcia--unmemorable. cant' remember anything about it.
Axl Rose--OK, maybe he was crazy, but I actually liked him. Here was a guy with nothing who suddenly had everything, and I think that'd be a lot to handle, even for an extremely stable person. And he is clearly not an extremely stable person. I respected that he was so candid and unashamed about the things he'd been through, especially the abuse, and that he's seeking appropriate help to deal with them. I also loved that he loved his girlfriend's son so much and was so invested in his well-being and development. He was just trying to deal with his issues and move on and be healthy--who can fault a man for that? Most people are too afraid to look into the abyss and try to heal. I liked his courage and his honesty a lot.
Bruce Springsteen--wasn't awfully interesting. Seemed like a nice man with some baggage.
David Letterman--Also not awfully interesting. I wasn't interested in the Late Night Wars when they happened, and I'm still not.
David Geffen--He had some family issues that were interesting but overall the interview bored me.
Kurt Cobain--an explosive, emotional, unstable man. I can't say I really liked him. I didn't realize he suffered from physical ailments (stomach pain), but still...he seemed like a difficult person, hating to perform his own music, feuding with other bands, tired of his own band, talking about suicide...tragic but not surprising how things turned out.
Courtney Love--On the other side of this relationship, though, Courtney Love really surprised me. Not that she doesn't have issues of her own, a lot of them, but she also has a really big heart. I didn't realize how tight she and Kurt Cobain were (despite his craziness and selfishness and dependency on her), or just how much they both loved their daughter. Hearing a more detailed version of everything that happened to him in the end was kind of heartbreaking. I admire her strength for recovering from that and being there for her daughter. Dealing with her pain and issues and moving on. I liked her.
Mick Jagger--I had no idea he was from a kind of posh family. Or that he was so personally reserved and disciplined and self aware. Definitely an interesting guy.
Patti Smith--boring. I just barely forced myself through this.
Dr Hunter S Thompson--Haven't read his stuff, or seen the movies of them. Now I don't want to. I don't see how writing about excessive substance abuse is interesting. no thanks.
Bill Clinton--I've listened to Clinton's memoirs, read by himself. The tone in that was more genial and relaxed than in this interview. I guess that since this was closer to/ during his actual presidency, with all the drama that entailed, that the emotions were a bit fresher--he was angrier and more frustrated, sharper. or so it seemed to me. he also came across like a smart man who really enjoyed serving his country as the president.
The Dalai Lama--He seems like a kind, smart man, who knows a lot about his world and his faith. His answers were complex and yet simple. It was difficult for me to believe the likelihood of anyone buying into the solutions that he offered for the world's problems, though, since they were a little too idealistic even for me (and a different faith than mine, which I'm sure affected my perception too.)
Bob Dylan--much like Clapton, he mostly talks about the music. However, he's more about the lyrics, and a lot about politics and social issues, and I liked that about him.
Ozzy Osbourne--I liked him a lot more than I expected to. I didn't know that Black Sabbath had started off as a "normal" band, and just decided to go scary to be more successful. It's funny that the band is viewed by conservatives as "Satanic" and so dark and dangerous, but when compared with what Osbourne's saying, it's not really like that at all. I liked his candor about his personal life growing up, and respect his work ethic in response to that poverty. I also respect the long and overall happy marriage he and Sharon have had, although I found his brief, dismissive response to the question of his having tried to kill Sharon at one point kind of disturbing. It's a bigger deal than his answer would imply. but otherwise he seemed like a nice, down to earth guy, and I really liked that about him.
Keith Richards--Also more likable than I expected. I still don't get how someone can use and abuse as many controlled substances as he does, but he seemed like a fairly smart and hardworking guy despite it, if a bit chaotic. it's interesting to see the contrasts between him and Mick.
Eminem--Possibly my favorite interview in here. I liked him more than ever after reading this. He's a smart, thoughtful person, despite culture and language that can present him as a thug or something. I love how much he cares about kids, especially his kids, and what he'll do to help them. Even his answers about Kim Mathers were pretty restrained and respectful. He understands that his relationship with her impacts the children, and I have to respect that. and he can admit that their relationship is complex and long-standing in a way that no one else can ever compete with. That's what I liked about him most--despite the wackiness of his upbringing, all the crazy things he talks about in his songs, especially his mom's instability, he is someone who has thought about the long-term implications of his behavior, of addiction, illegal activity, etc, and made conscious choices based on what will make a better life for his kids and himself. That makes him a good, if often sad and angry, man in my eyes.
Bono--He has a weird way of talking, very abrupt, and switching back and forth between past and present tenses. I didn't know anything about his upbringing, so learning about the family tension and how his drive to succeed grew out of it was interesting. I find it interesting too, how he downplays his faith in conversation. it's hard to get a feel on what he really thinks or believes, but at least he seems like a very thoughtful man, and I could relate to how he found the sacred in everything, even in the most secular of music.
Overall I learned a lot and might try out some new artists because of this. I'm glad it's finished, though.
September 2, 2013
I started reading Rolling Stone in the early 80's. This is not my best of the best, but there are a lot of gems. However, some of them--like John Lennon's frank, revealing and sometimes unjust interview--have been truncated from the originals I remember. Major complaint: not enough white women or African American musicians/personalities are represented. It's embarrassing to see David Breskin bait Spike Lee right off the bat in 1991; the interview is wasted because of Breskin's personal hang-ups.
January 17, 2011
With interviews ranging from Pete Townsend(1968) to Bono(2005) these candid interviews give a slice of life insight into the lives of artists; Joni Mitchell (ok article), Bill Murray (not so good), Truman Capote (as good as an interview can be with Truman), Neil Young (not good at all), Robin Williams (too young to have given a good interview). While not digging as deep as the reader would like these interviews still provide entertainment and a bit of insight. A fair winter read for diving un-expectantly into the full throws of a wisconsin winter. I did enjoy the John Lennon interview and believed he and Robin Williams to be the most intellectually honest and arrogant. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing. My main complaint is that the interviewers could have asked better, more probing questions.
July 12, 2017
По случай 40-годишнината си списанието "Ролинг Стоун" отделя 40 от най-добрите си интервюта, правени през годините с някои от най-ярките звезди на шоубизнеса, литературата и политиката. Тази книга действително е едно пътешествие във времето и грам не съжалявам за вниманието, което ѝ отделих. Не всички интервюта ми бяха интересни, за някои от интервюираните личности не знаех нищо или пък знаех съвсем малко и от обща култура. Ала книгата успя да породи в мен цял спектър емоции: тъга, защото голяма част от тези хора вече ги няма; носталгия, тъй като светът безвъзвратно се е променил; усмивка; любопитство; възмущение; любов и недоверие. Определено видях част от иконите на миналия век в съвсем друга светлина. Особено ме потресе самочувствието на гений на Джон Ленън и тънката злоба, с която говори за най-близкото си обкръжение. Още повече съпоставено с това как Пол Маккартни се просълзява на концерти, когато пее песни, "написани преди много години с моя приятел Джон" (цитатът вероятно е неточен, защото е по спомен). Кои интервюта най-много ми харесаха? Съвсем неизненадващо Ози, Кийт Ричардс и Робин Уилямс. И къде-къде по-изненадващо Тина Търнър и Клинт Истууд. С кого от тези хора бих искала да си поговоря самата аз? С Джак Никълсън, Ленърд Бърнстейн и Труман Капоти. Впрочем, интервюто на Анди Уорхол с Труман Капоти, в което обсъждат едно от първите турнета на "Ролинг Стоунс" в Америка, по скромното ми мнение е най-доброто в книгата. (Ще взема да я прочета накрая тази "Закуска в Тифани"!)
П.С. Прочетох на руски под заглавието "Великие интервью журнала Rolling Stone за 40 лет".
П.С. Прочетох на руски под заглавието "Великие интервью журнала Rolling Stone за 40 лет".
April 23, 2010
I picked this up at a Boarders for $5 in Panama City while on vacation for some light beach reading. The most surprising thing was that the people who gave the most coherent interviews were Kurt Cobain and Keith Richards, and the only people who hadn’t completely ruined a good portion of their lives with drugs were Bruce Springsteen and Bono. I honestly don’t know how everyone else survived, or managed to make music at all.
June 25, 2008
“The Rolling Stone Interviews” might not be the deepest tome ever written, but it’s certainly interesting. If you don’t read anything else in it, be sure to check out Andy Warhol’s “interview” with Truman Capote. As you might expect, it’s terrifically weird.
September 19, 2017
Great interviews some better for me than others. They leave you to be biased though. I did learn some from many of the interviews about artist I didn't know before. I just wish there had been more women. 5 out of 40 just isn't enough!
March 28, 2008
Very good interviews with entertainers ranging from Johnny Cash to Kurt Cobain. Beware if you're a huge Lennon fan, as he comes off (in featured interview) as a pompous ass.
September 5, 2018
10 из 10!
April 26, 2024
Re-reading this has been a friendly reminder of how far the quality of Rolling Stone has fallen. The best days of print media have passed, and that's sad.
April 20, 2018
Before I share a little about this compilation, let me share a little about myself. My father loves rock and roll from the 60's, 70's and 80's, and therefore I grew up listening to classic rock and schooled to know "who sings it". My best guy friend is also a total music fiend, and shares my love of classic rock. So for Christmas, I found a similar compilation of Rolling Stone interviews, (read it before I gave it to him) and had to have one myself. Not only were the interviews about the music, but they were also about the comedians, the writers, the movie stars and directors from those decades. Well, turns out there were three being sold online and I bought them all. I don't splurge often on buying books- I dream of having a library one day, but realistically I just don't have the space or funds to support the habit- but when I do, there's a reason.
These interviews are compilations of Rolling Stone magazine from the late 1960's all the way to the new millennium. Written by different journalists, each interview manages to delve into the personal thoughts of music legends and era icons. Rolling Stone has the reputation of getting the private moments, the exclusive information, and the raw emotion in it's interviews, from the most high profile guests. The questions are deeply researched, and the answers open and honest, and written as spoken. It's an answer to everyone who has wanted to know what it's like to be a fly on the wall near Lennon, or Jagger, or Springsteen.
For me, these interviews are a way to connect myself to the icons that I grew up with, that my parents grew up with. For any one, they are a way to see what they were like off stage, off TV, out of the limelight. I love reading about their inspiration, the artistry behind their product. And personally, I get a thrill when I can mentally "hear" the interviewee's diction in their responses. Some of my favorite excerpts: (SPOILER ALERT?)
Pete Townshend from The Who, outlining the album Tommy: "...musically then I want the thing to break out, hand it over to Keith-"this is your scene, man, take it from here.""
Oriana Fallaci, on her interview style via this example from a press conference with the moon mission astronauts: ""The question is: Are you scared?" Well, after discussing it with Aldrin and Collins, Neil Armstrong was elected to take the walk. "Well," he hesitated, "you know, the adrenaline goes up.""Ah, bullsh*t. Say you're scared!""
Joni Mitchell, on happiness: "I feel happy suddenly, I don't know why. Some days, the way the light strikes things. Or for some beautifully immature reason like finding myself some toast."
Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones, explaining the ingredients that made "Satisfaction" a signature song: "It has a very catchy title. It has a very catchy guitar riff. It has a great guitar sound, which was original at the time. And it captures a spirit of the times, which is very important in those kind of songs."
If you're a classic rock fan, a rock and roll fan, a blues fan- this book is for you. If you're into journalism, and want to see some emotional examples- this book is for you. If you want to see celebrities in a different light, or get into their minds- this book is for you. If you just dig music, or history, or just want some artistic or political inspiration, take this book off the shelf. Obviously, I'd recommend it to everyone.
These interviews are compilations of Rolling Stone magazine from the late 1960's all the way to the new millennium. Written by different journalists, each interview manages to delve into the personal thoughts of music legends and era icons. Rolling Stone has the reputation of getting the private moments, the exclusive information, and the raw emotion in it's interviews, from the most high profile guests. The questions are deeply researched, and the answers open and honest, and written as spoken. It's an answer to everyone who has wanted to know what it's like to be a fly on the wall near Lennon, or Jagger, or Springsteen.
For me, these interviews are a way to connect myself to the icons that I grew up with, that my parents grew up with. For any one, they are a way to see what they were like off stage, off TV, out of the limelight. I love reading about their inspiration, the artistry behind their product. And personally, I get a thrill when I can mentally "hear" the interviewee's diction in their responses. Some of my favorite excerpts: (SPOILER ALERT?)
Pete Townshend from The Who, outlining the album Tommy: "...musically then I want the thing to break out, hand it over to Keith-"this is your scene, man, take it from here.""
Oriana Fallaci, on her interview style via this example from a press conference with the moon mission astronauts: ""The question is: Are you scared?" Well, after discussing it with Aldrin and Collins, Neil Armstrong was elected to take the walk. "Well," he hesitated, "you know, the adrenaline goes up.""Ah, bullsh*t. Say you're scared!""
Joni Mitchell, on happiness: "I feel happy suddenly, I don't know why. Some days, the way the light strikes things. Or for some beautifully immature reason like finding myself some toast."
Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones, explaining the ingredients that made "Satisfaction" a signature song: "It has a very catchy title. It has a very catchy guitar riff. It has a great guitar sound, which was original at the time. And it captures a spirit of the times, which is very important in those kind of songs."
If you're a classic rock fan, a rock and roll fan, a blues fan- this book is for you. If you're into journalism, and want to see some emotional examples- this book is for you. If you want to see celebrities in a different light, or get into their minds- this book is for you. If you just dig music, or history, or just want some artistic or political inspiration, take this book off the shelf. Obviously, I'd recommend it to everyone.
Read
October 31, 2013 The Rolling Stone Interviews by Jann S. Wenner is a book with interviews on very significant people in the music industry. Mostly based on rock, they (Interviewers vary) ask questions about their life, and how they got into music, and what the meaning of their music is. There are many deep questions with long answers from the people being interviewed. In the book, Wenner is trying to show how musicians got interested in music.
This is shown throughout the book, but when Jerry Hopkins (interviewer) asks Jim Morrison “ How did you start this... decide you were going to be a performer?”, Morrison responds with “I think I had a suppressed desire to do something like this ever since I heard... y’see, the birth of rock & roll coincided with my adolescence, my coming into awareness.” He is explaining how rock and roll is what he grew up with, and how it impacted him while he was figuring out what he wanted to be at a young age, changing his original interests without music.
The message of this book is quite important, because there are many notorious music figures, but people want to know how they had gotten into music. I thought the questions were quite similar, but got a good, long response by many of the people. For example, in the first question (What do you think of your album ‘Plastic Ono Band’?”) asked by Wenner to John Lennon, he explained his thoughts on the quality of the album, then moved into the meaning of some of the songs on the album. This is making much more for people to read, instead of bland answers.
Overall, I feel this book was very intriguing. The questions were quite personalized, not a normal, dull answer. Also, how long the interviews lasted. The depth of the answers made me more interested in who these people were, considering some of them I had only heard of.
This is shown throughout the book, but when Jerry Hopkins (interviewer) asks Jim Morrison “ How did you start this... decide you were going to be a performer?”, Morrison responds with “I think I had a suppressed desire to do something like this ever since I heard... y’see, the birth of rock & roll coincided with my adolescence, my coming into awareness.” He is explaining how rock and roll is what he grew up with, and how it impacted him while he was figuring out what he wanted to be at a young age, changing his original interests without music.
The message of this book is quite important, because there are many notorious music figures, but people want to know how they had gotten into music. I thought the questions were quite similar, but got a good, long response by many of the people. For example, in the first question (What do you think of your album ‘Plastic Ono Band’?”) asked by Wenner to John Lennon, he explained his thoughts on the quality of the album, then moved into the meaning of some of the songs on the album. This is making much more for people to read, instead of bland answers.
Overall, I feel this book was very intriguing. The questions were quite personalized, not a normal, dull answer. Also, how long the interviews lasted. The depth of the answers made me more interested in who these people were, considering some of them I had only heard of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2008
The Rolling Stone Interviews
Now I will be the first to admit that I no longer read Rolling Stone. I out grew the magazine a few years back, it happened when I no longer could stand the music that was being covered and I never liked the politics of the magazine. Yet, even with that said, I always thought that the interviews were some of the best published. It all depended on the subject. Rolling Stone interviews people from all areas, so there tends to be interesting and fascinating things to be found.
I was so glad when they compiled a collection of these interviews. Authors, actors, journalists and politicians are all covered in this collection. My favorite interviews are with Bill Murray from 1984 as he is recovering from Ghostbusters and The Razor’s Edge. Orianna Fallaci’s interview style is covered as is John Lennon’s enormous Ego. This collection has it all.
As for John Lennon, the included interview was from shortly after the break-up of the Beatles, he is bitter and it shows. I never liked post-Beatle Lennon. I think his music is pretty much trash, as for the horrid little IMAGINE, never has such bunk been so revered. It is a commie anthem and an idiotic one at that. The lyrics are evil and the tune is a little too hummable. The interview shows him at his worst, controlled by Yoko, arrogant and nasty. He talks down George, hates Paul and believes he is better guitar man than Clapton. Enough said…
Overall, this is a wonderfully diverse collection with something for all tastes. I would not hesitate to give this as a gift to my friends, as I said Rolling Stone publishes some of the best Interviews.
Now I will be the first to admit that I no longer read Rolling Stone. I out grew the magazine a few years back, it happened when I no longer could stand the music that was being covered and I never liked the politics of the magazine. Yet, even with that said, I always thought that the interviews were some of the best published. It all depended on the subject. Rolling Stone interviews people from all areas, so there tends to be interesting and fascinating things to be found.
I was so glad when they compiled a collection of these interviews. Authors, actors, journalists and politicians are all covered in this collection. My favorite interviews are with Bill Murray from 1984 as he is recovering from Ghostbusters and The Razor’s Edge. Orianna Fallaci’s interview style is covered as is John Lennon’s enormous Ego. This collection has it all.
As for John Lennon, the included interview was from shortly after the break-up of the Beatles, he is bitter and it shows. I never liked post-Beatle Lennon. I think his music is pretty much trash, as for the horrid little IMAGINE, never has such bunk been so revered. It is a commie anthem and an idiotic one at that. The lyrics are evil and the tune is a little too hummable. The interview shows him at his worst, controlled by Yoko, arrogant and nasty. He talks down George, hates Paul and believes he is better guitar man than Clapton. Enough said…
Overall, this is a wonderfully diverse collection with something for all tastes. I would not hesitate to give this as a gift to my friends, as I said Rolling Stone publishes some of the best Interviews.
August 7, 2021
From the interior of the book:
"This volume contains the best and most significant of the interviews which appeared in Rolling Stone from the end of 1967 through the early months of 1971. Taken together, they comprise a fascinating panorama of recent musical history: the songs and how they came to be written, re-written, recorded and played; the groups and how they gathered and grew and evolved and dissolved, then regathered and grew; the musicians, their influences, life histories, observations on the aesthetics of rock, opinions, and 'inside' revelations. All-in-all, very little bull, because the people who ask the questionsare remarkably adeptat finding out what we want to know, and because Lennon, Jagger, Spector, Dylan et al are intelligent working artists, not merely theoreticians. Indeed, these pages are a cultural document - on one hand, a casebook in pop mythology; on the other, a groupie glimpse into the ever-changing pop scene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This volume contains the best and most significant of the interviews which appeared in Rolling Stone from the end of 1967 through the early months of 1971. Taken together, they comprise a fascinating panorama of recent musical history: the songs and how they came to be written, re-written, recorded and played; the groups and how they gathered and grew and evolved and dissolved, then regathered and grew; the musicians, their influences, life histories, observations on the aesthetics of rock, opinions, and 'inside' revelations. All-in-all, very little bull, because the people who ask the questionsare remarkably adeptat finding out what we want to know, and because Lennon, Jagger, Spector, Dylan et al are intelligent working artists, not merely theoreticians. Indeed, these pages are a cultural document - on one hand, a casebook in pop mythology; on the other, a groupie glimpse into the ever-changing pop scene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 28, 2010
As an avid music lover (new and old) and someone generally interested in people, this Rolling Stone collection of interviews was both fascinating, entertaining, and an enjoyable read. Some of the interviews (Curt Kobain, Axl Rose, Courtney Love etc.) were more riveting than others, but as a whole, the book was capturing. It isn't the kind of book that you sit down and read all in one sitting, the reader is able to skip around, put it down and read another interview in a couple weeks, or skip some of the interviews all together. It's a sometimes sad, occasionally insane, and usually fascinating book.
March 17, 2019
Reading interviews are great way to learn history and get a sense of someone's personality, even more so than a biography sometimes. Here are some highlights:
Pete Townshend talking about Tommy as he was writing it
John Lennon gives a post-breakup interview on the Beatles - he's so over it.
Truman Capote and Andy Warhol talk about the Rolling Stones
George Lucas on why he wrote Star Wars.
Ray Charles is very open about his struggles and sense of music.
Bill Murray talks extensively about his childhood in Chicago.
Spike Lee on how black and white audiences saw Do the Right Thing differently.
Bob Dylan reflects on post 9/11 America.
Bill Clinton reflects on his presidency.
Pete Townshend talking about Tommy as he was writing it
John Lennon gives a post-breakup interview on the Beatles - he's so over it.
Truman Capote and Andy Warhol talk about the Rolling Stones
George Lucas on why he wrote Star Wars.
Ray Charles is very open about his struggles and sense of music.
Bill Murray talks extensively about his childhood in Chicago.
Spike Lee on how black and white audiences saw Do the Right Thing differently.
Bob Dylan reflects on post 9/11 America.
Bill Clinton reflects on his presidency.
July 29, 2008
Comprehensive collection of Rolling Stone interviews from 1971 to present, with subjects ranging from Kurt Cobain to Joni Mitchell to Gandhi. Some of my favorite interviews are Truman Capote, Andy Warhol conducts the interview and Capote cuts Mick Jagger down to size, and Brian Wilson, which begins with Wilson saying he's been clean for some time and ends with him asking whether Jan Weiner can score them coke. Excellent book for the shelf.
Currently reading
February 24, 2010Por enquanto, só dois comentários: tradução/revisão péssima (às vezes chega a parecer tradutor automático do Google) e alguns entrevistados completamente irrelevantes no Brasil. Este segundo ponto ainda é compreensível, porque faz parte do pacote, então, para ler John Lennon e Jack Nicholson (uma das melhores), você encara os desconhecidos aqui que são ilustres lá. Ou não; pode pulá-los. Mas o primeiro ponto infelizmente não é compreensível.
October 16, 2011
This is a great compilation of some of the best Rolling Stone Magazine interviews going back to the 70's. A good book for readers interested in the names (John Lennon, Bono, Patti Smith, Mick Jagger, Kurt Cobain, etc) or for those simply interested in reading interviews with successful artists. Reading in succession I found it fascinating to see common threads that ran through many of their background stories.
April 22, 2012
It was an interesting read. A person’s ability to enjoy the book is probably dependant on how familiar and interested they are in the interviewees contained within. In general, I enjoyed reading the book. Some of the interviews were more rambling while others more focused. Jim Morrison came across as more intelligent then I realized. It is a fun read if you want some insight into the personalities contained within the book but it is not something that you have to read.
May 4, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the interviews with the music celebrities (many now deceased) contained herein. Their perspectives of the future (which is now the present and the past) are very interesting when comparisons to what really happened are made. The interviews with Little Richard and David Crosby are both quite interesting in different ways. I recommend this book to any fan of rock and its beginnings, especially rock in the 60s.
Read
August 6, 2011some real interesting interviews with some real interesting people, selected from throughout the 40+ years of Rolling Stone magazine. i found that even the interviews with people i don't necessarily like/am a fan of, were very interesting and insightful. a book that can easily be read in long stints, or short intervals.
February 19, 2012
This is a great collection. I enjoyed the interviews from Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, but I thought I would since I'm a fan. However, I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy the Tina Turner and Neil Young interviews since I don't really like them as performers. I happened to pick this up as Border's was closing and since the book was damaged it only cost $3 not a bad deal.
January 4, 2011
as expected a lot of really good interviews, with the odd stinker mixed in.
Found it interesting how these types of people generall fall into 1 of 2 categories:
they come across as genuine and down to earth(springsteen), or arrogant and self centered (brian wilson).
really enjoyed this.
Found it interesting how these types of people generall fall into 1 of 2 categories:
they come across as genuine and down to earth(springsteen), or arrogant and self centered (brian wilson).
really enjoyed this.
June 29, 2012
It's just what it says it is . . . interviews from Rolling Stone. That's plenty for me. I think that RS is one of the most discounting magazines ever - blown off as some pop culture rag. It's that, too, but so much more . . . quality journalism enveloped in here.
December 23, 2015
I'm so glad I picked this book up. It has a lot of my favorite musicians in it, and reading interviews on them was so interesting. I'll admit I skipped over some of the interviews I didn't care as much about (like Clinton), but I really enjoyed what I did read.
February 18, 2014
Loved it. The inside view on many a famous face. Written from inside the fishbowl perspective. The collator contributes nothing of her self - but everything about her subjects, including carefully setting the scene in which the interview took place.
October 5, 2015
Was interesting. Was excellent bathroom reading as it hops around. Some I wanted more of and some I wanted less of. My sole issue is that it's kinda boomeresque, not surprising and there are very few interviews written by women.
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