Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rolling-stone-at-50-making-the-first-issue-193707/|work=rollingstone.com|title=Rolling Stone at 50: Making the First Issue|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=January 6, 2017|access-date=June 27, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627084302/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rolling-stone-at-50-making-the-first-issue-193707/|url-status=live}} To pay for the setup costs, Wenner borrowed $7,500 ({{Inflation|US|7500|1967|fmt=eq|r=-3}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}) from his family and the parents of his soon-to-be wife, Jane Schindelheim.{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/1999/04/20/wenner/|title=Wenner's World: The evolution of Jann Wenner. How the ultimate '60s rock groupie built his fantasy into a media empire|last=Weir|first=David|date=April 20, 1999|work=Salon|access-date=August 18, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107043121/http://www.salon.com/1999/04/20/wenner/|archive-date=November 7, 2013}} The first issue was released on November 9, 1967, and featured John Lennon in costume for the film How I Won the War on the cover. It was in newspaper format with a lead article on the Monterey International Pop Festival.{{cite web|last=French|first=Alex|title=The Very First Issues of 19 Famous Magazines|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/50299/very-first-issues-19-famous-magazines|work=Mental Floss|date=August 9, 2013|access-date=August 12, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810181820/http://mentalfloss.com/article/50299/very-first-issues-19-famous-magazines|archive-date=August 10, 2013}} The cover price was 25¢ (equivalent to $2.27 in 2023) and it was published bi-weekly.

In the first issue,{{cite magazine|title=Rolling Stone 1967 Magazine Archives {{!}} Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/coverwall/1967|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=November 20, 2017|archive-date=November 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121123154/http://www.rollingstone.com/coverwall/1967|url-status=live}} Wenner explained that the title of the magazine came from the old saying "A rolling stone gathers no moss". He also mentioned the 1950 blues song "Rollin' Stone", recorded by Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones band, and Bob Dylan's 1965 hit single "Like a Rolling Stone". Some authors have attributed the name solely to Dylan's hit single: "At [Ralph] Gleason's suggestion, Wenner named his magazine after a Bob Dylan song."Richardson, Peter (2009). A Bomb in Every Issue: How the Short, Unruly Life of Ramparts Magazine Changed America. (The New Press) p. 109

Rolling Stone initially identified with and reported the hippie counterculture of the era.

{{Blockquote|text=You're probably wondering what we're trying to do. 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.{{cite magazine|first=Jann|last=Wenner|author-link=Jann Wenner|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 9, 1967|page=2|title=A Letter from the Editor}}{{Cite book | last = Palmer | first = Robert | title = Deep Blues | publisher = Penguin Books | year = 1981 | page = [https://archive.org/details/deepblues00palm/page/104 104] | url = https://archive.org/details/deepblues00palm/page/104 | isbn = 0-14-006223-8 | url-access = registration }}}}

However, it distanced itself from the underground newspapers of the time, such as Berkeley Barb, embracing more traditional journalistic standards and avoiding the radical politics of the underground press. In the first edition, Wenner wrote that Rolling Stone "is not just about the music, but about the things and attitudes that music embraces".{{cite book |last1=MacDonald |first1=Raymond A.R. |last2=Hargreaves |first2=David John |last3=Miell |first3=Dorothy |title=Handbook of Musical Identities |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199679485 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COIWDgAAQBAJ&q=%22%22is+not+just+about+the+music%2C+but+about+the+things+and+attitudes+that+music+embraces%22%22&pg=PA288 |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910030350/https://books.google.com/books?id=COIWDgAAQBAJ&q=%22%22is+not+just+about+the+music,+but+about+the+things+and+attitudes+that+music+embraces%22%22&pg=PA288 |url-status=live }} In a 2017 article celebrating the publication's 50th anniversary, Rolling Stone{{'}}s David Browne stated that the magazine's name was a nod to the Rolling Stones in an addition to "Rollin' Stone" and "Like a Rolling Stone".{{Cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|date=September 8, 2017|title=50th Anniversary Flashback: The Rolling Stones in Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/50th-anniversary-flashback-the-rolling-stones-in-rolling-stone-255924/|access-date=September 30, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919092052/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/50th-anniversary-flashback-the-rolling-stones-in-rolling-stone-255924/|url-status=live}}

The magazine's long-running slogan, "All the news that fits", was provided by early contributor, manager and sometime editor Susan Lydon. She lifted it from an April Fools issue of the Columbia Daily Spectator which posted "All the news that fits we print", a parody of The New York Times{{'}} slogan, "All the News That's Fit to Print".{{cite magazine |last=Lydon |first=Susan Gordon |author-link=Susan Lydon |date=September 1978 |title=A newspaper for the 'new age,' in which no news is good news |magazine=Vassar Quarterly |volume=LXXV |number=1 |url=https://newspaperarchives.vassar.edu/?a=d&d=vq19780901-01.2.26&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- |access-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316161434/https://newspaperarchives.vassar.edu/?a=d&d=vq19780901-01.2.26&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- |url-status=live }} The first appearance of the rubric was in 1969.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/on-rolling-stone-covers-203887/ |title=On 'Rolling Stone' Covers |last=Seymour |first=Corey |date=December 10, 1992 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723050938/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/on-rolling-stone-covers-203887/ |url-status=live }}

In the 1970s, Rolling Stone began to make a mark with its political coverage, with the likes of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson writing for the magazine's political section. Thompson first published his most famous work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, within the pages of Rolling Stone, where he remained a contributing editor until his death in 2005.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jan/06/fear-rolling-stone-hunter-thompson|title=Fear and Loathing at Rolling Stone: The Essential Writing of Hunter S Thompson – review|last=East|first=Ben|date=January 5, 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=May 31, 2017 |issn=0261-3077|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602115226/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jan/06/fear-rolling-stone-hunter-thompson|archive-date=June 2, 2017}} In the 1970s, the magazine also helped launch the careers of many prominent authors, including Cameron Crowe, Lester Bangs, Joe Klein, Joe Eszterhas, Ben Fong-Torres, Patti Smith and P. J. O'Rourke. It was at this point that the magazine ran some of its most famous stories. The January 21, 1970, issue covered the Altamont Free Concert and the killing of Meredith Hunter, which won a Specialized Journalism award at the National Magazine Awards in 1971.{{cite magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=Rolling Stone at 50: Shaping Contrasting Narratives of Woodstock, Altamont|date=February 7, 2017|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rolling-stone-at-50-shaping-contrasting-narratives-of-woodstock-altamont-196583/|last=Browne|first=David|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709082620/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rolling-stone-at-50-shaping-contrasting-narratives-of-woodstock-altamont-196583/|url-status=live}} Later in 1970, Rolling Stone published a 30,000-word feature on Charles Manson by David Dalton and David Felton, including their interview of Manson when he was in the L.A. County Jail awaiting trial, which won Rolling Stone its first National Magazine Award.{{cite news|title=The Early Scoops|work=Rolling Stone 50 Years|pages=8–9}} Four years later, they also covered the Patty Hearst abduction odyssey. One interviewer, speaking for many of his peers, said that he bought his first copy of the magazine upon initial arrival on his college campus, describing it as a "rite of passage".{{cite news|url=http://www.samuelfreedman.com/articles/culture/ust_rolling.html|title=Literary 'Rolling Stone' sells out to male titillation|last=Freedman|first=Samuel G.|date=2002|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=February 12, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312094229/http://www.samuelfreedman.com/articles/culture/ust_rolling.html|archive-date=March 12, 2009}}

In 1972, Wenner assigned Tom Wolfe to cover the launch of NASA's last Moon mission, Apollo 17. He published a four-part series in 1973 titled "Post-Orbital Remorse", about the depression that some astronauts experienced after having been in space. After the series, Wolfe began researching the whole of the space program, in what became a seven-year project from which he took time to write The Painted Word, a book on art, and to complete Mauve Gloves & Madmen, Clutter & Vine, a collection of shorter piecesRagen 2001, pp. 22–26. and eventually The Right Stuff.

The magazine began running the photographs of Annie Leibovitz in 1970. In 1973, she became its chief photographer, and her images appeared on more than 140 covers. Rolling Stone recruited writers from smaller music magazines, including Paul Nelson from Sing Out!, who became record reviews editor from 1978 to 1983, and Dave Marsh from Creem.{{cite news|title=The Writers|work=Rolling Stones 50 Years|pages=10–13}} In 1977, the magazine moved its headquarters from San Francisco to New York City. Editor Jann Wenner said San Francisco had become "a cultural backwater".Temple, Charles (April 18, 2009) [http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Rolling-Stone-closes-last-S-F-office-3164870.php "Rolling Stone closes last S.F. office".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814034224/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Rolling-Stone-closes-last-S-F-office-3164870.php |date=August 14, 2014 }}. San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved August 13, 2014.)

Kurt Loder joined Rolling Stone in May 1979 and spent nine years there, including as editor. Timothy White joined as a writer from Crawdaddy and David Fricke from Musician. Tom Wolfe wrote to Wenner to propose an idea drawn from Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray: to serialize a novel. Wenner offered Wolfe around $200,000 to serialize his work.{{Harvnb|Ragen | 2002 |p= 31}} The frequent deadline pressure gave Wolfe the motivation he had sought, and from July 1984 to August 1985, he published a new installment in each biweekly issue of Rolling Stone. Later Wolfe was unhappy with his "very public first draft"{{Harvnb|Ragen|2002|p=32}} and thoroughly revised his work, even changing his protagonist, Sherman McCoy, and published it as The Bonfire of the Vanities in 1987.

Rolling Stone was known for its musical coverage and for Thompson's political reporting and in 1985, they hired an advertising agency to refocus its image under the series "Perception/Reality" comparing Sixties symbols to those of the Eighties, which led to an increase in advertising revenue and pages.{{cite news|title=Perception/Reality|work=Rolling Stones 50 Years|pages=14–15}} It also shifted to more of an entertainment magazine in the 1980s. It still had music as the main topic but began to increase its coverage of celebrities, films, and pop culture. It also began releasing its annual "Hot Issue".{{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=Sammye |last2=Prijatel |first2=Patricia |title=The Magazine from Cover to Cover: Inside a Dynamic Industry |date=1999 |publisher=Indiana University |isbn=9780658002298 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8_nyAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Rolling+Stone%22+annual+hot+issue+1980s |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195414/https://books.google.com/books?id=8_nyAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Rolling+Stone%22+annual+hot+issue+1980s |url-status=live }} In the 1990s, the magazine changed its format to appeal to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. This led to criticism that the magazine was emphasizing style over substance.

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After years of declining readership, the magazine experienced a major resurgence of interest and relevance with the work of two young journalists in the late 2000s, Michael Hastings and Matt Taibbi.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Rob Sheffield also joined from Spin. In 2005, Dana Leslie Fields, former publisher of Rolling Stone, who had worked at the magazine for 17 years, was an inaugural inductee into the Magazine Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.lamusicawards.com/act/rolling-stone-magazine/|title=Rolling Stone Magazine|website=LA Music Awards|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701232339/http://www.lamusicawards.com/act/rolling-stone-magazine/|archive-date=July 1, 2016}} In 2009, Taibbi unleashed an acclaimed series of scathing reports on the financial meltdown of the time. He famously described Goldman Sachs as "a great vampire squid".{{cite news |last1=Zamansky |first1=Jake |title=The Great Vampire Squid Keeps On Sucking |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jakezamansky/2013/08/08/the-great-vampire-squid-keeps-on-sucking/#6e61a8bc7df8 |access-date=August 15, 2019 |magazine=Forbes |date=August 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908191835/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jakezamansky/2013/08/08/the-great-vampire-squid-keeps-on-sucking/#6e61a8bc7df8 |url-status=live }}

In December 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that the owners of Rolling Stone magazine planned to open a Rolling Stone restaurant in the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood in the spring of 2010.{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=Roger|title=Rolling Stone to launch restaurant chain in L.A|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-04-la-fi-rolling-stone4-2009dec04-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 22, 2010|date=December 4, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013144855/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/04/business/la-fi-rolling-stone4-2009dec04|archive-date=October 13, 2010}} The expectation was that the restaurant could become the first of a national chain if it was successful.{{cite news |url=http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2010/05/how_rolling_stones_hollywood_a.html |title=How Rolling Stone's Hollywood and Highland Restaurant Will Differ From Hard Rock Cafe's |date=May 24, 2010 |work=Grub Street Los Angeles (New York magazine) |last=Tomicki |first=Hadley |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805092341/http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2010/05/how_rolling_stones_hollywood_a.html |archive-date=August 5, 2010 }} As of November 2010, the "soft opening" of the restaurant was planned for December 2010.{{cite web |url=http://la.eater.com/archives/2010/12/08/two_floors_of_fun_at_rolling_stone_restaurant_and_lounge.php |title=Two Floors of Fun at Rolling Stone Restaurant and Lounge |first= Kat|last= Odell |date=November 8, 2010 |website=Eater.com |access-date=December 21, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721041254/http://la.eater.com/archives/2010/12/08/two_floors_of_fun_at_rolling_stone_restaurant_and_lounge.php |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }} In 2011, the restaurant was open for lunch and dinner as well as a full night club downstairs on the weekends.{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstonela.com|title=Rolling Stone Restaurant|access-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728035128/http://www.rollingstonela.com/|archive-date=July 28, 2011}} The restaurant closed in February 2013.{{cite web |last=Tomicki |first=Hadley |url=http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2013/02/rolling-stone-restaurant-closes-hollywood.html |title=But It's All Over Now: Rolling Stone Restaurant Folds in Hollywood – Grub Street Los Angeles |website=Losangeles.grubstreet.com |date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703154732/http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2013/02/rolling-stone-restaurant-closes-hollywood.html |archive-date=July 3, 2013 }}

Bigger headlines came at the end of June 2010. Rolling Stone caused a controversy in the White House by publishing in the July issue an article by journalist Michael Hastings entitled "The Runaway General",{{cite magazine |last=Hastings |first=Michael |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236 |title=The Runaway General – Stanley McChrystal, Obama's top commander in Afghanistan, has seized control of the war by never taking his eye off the real enemy: The wimps in the White House |magazine=Rollingstone.com |date=June 22, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215232304/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236 |archive-date=December 15, 2010 }} quoting criticism by General Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan commander, about Vice President Joe Biden and other Administration members of the White House. McChrystal resigned from his position shortly after his statements went public.{{cite web |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-md-marbella-rolling-stone-20100625,0,1399358.story |title=The unlikely magazine that brought down a general – Rolling Stone has never been just about music |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 26, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902102236/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue |archive-date=September 2, 2006 }}{{cite news |author=Jon Boone in Kabul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/24/michael-hastings-general-mcchrystal-article |title=Rolling Stone man who brought down Stanley McChrystal – Journalist Michael Hastings reveals how he got to write article that was praised by troops and led to US general's sacking |newspaper=The Guardian |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902102236/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue |archive-date=September 2, 2006 }}{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Helene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/politics/24mcchrystal.html |title=Obama Says Afghan Policy Won't Change After Dismissal |work=The New York Times |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725084359/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/politics/24mcchrystal.html |archive-date=July 25, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-rose-garden |title=Statement by the President in the Rose Garden |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216153521/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-rose-garden |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |archive-date=February 16, 2017 }} In 2010, Taibbi documented illegal and fraudulent actions by banks in the foreclosure courts, after traveling to Jacksonville, Florida and sitting in on hearings in the courtroom. His article, "Invasion of the Home Snatchers", also documented attempts by the judge to intimidate a homeowner fighting foreclosure and the attorney Taibbi accompanied into the court.Taibbi, Matt, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/matt-taibbi-courts-helping-banks-screw-over-homeowners-20101110/ Invasion of the Home Snatchers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620010615/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/matt-taibbi-courts-helping-banks-screw-over-homeowners-20101110 |date=June 20, 2012 }}, Rolling Stone, November 10, 2010Charney, April, "that day ... a stain on Jacksonville" statement, December 14, 2011 Occupy Jax advised by foreclosure attorney, 10:30–11:00, YouTube video uploaded December 15, 2011 {{YouTube|AYtbCfIrR3U}}

In January 2012, the magazine ran exclusive excerpts from Hastings' book just prior to publication.{{Cite magazine|title = The Operators by Michael Hastings: 10 Juicy Bits|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-operators-by-michael-hastings-10-juicy-bits-20120105|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = January 5, 2012|access-date = February 17, 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160223085513/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-operators-by-michael-hastings-10-juicy-bits-20120105|archive-date = February 23, 2016|df = mdy-all}} The book, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan, provided a much more expansive look at McChrystal and the culture of senior American military and how they become embroiled in such wars. The book reached Amazon.com's bestseller list in the first 48 hours of release, and it received generally favorable reviews. Salon{{'}}s Glenn Greenwald described it as "superb", "brave" and "eye-opening".{{cite news |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-rose-garden |title=Michael Hastings on war journalists |date=January 6, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216153521/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-rose-garden |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |archive-date=February 16, 2017 }} In 2012, Taibbi, through his coverage of the Libor scandal,Taibbi, Matt, [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/why-is-nobody-freaking-out-about-the-libor-banking-scandal-20120703#ixzz1zcu88hJ9/ "Why is Nobody Freaking Out About the LIBOR Scandal?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707005012/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/why-is-nobody-freaking-out-about-the-libor-banking-scandal-20120703 |date=July 7, 2012 }}. Rolling Stone, July 3, 2012 emerged as an expert on that topic, which led to media appearances outside Rolling Stone.{{cite web|url=http://billmoyers.com/segment/matt-taibbi-and-yves-smith-on-the-follies-of-big-banks-and-government/|title=Matt Taibbi and Yves Smith on the Follies of Big Banks and Government|work=BillMoyers.com|access-date=December 6, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211210711/http://billmoyers.com/segment/matt-taibbi-and-yves-smith-on-the-follies-of-big-banks-and-government/|archive-date=December 11, 2014}}[http://www.capitalismwithoutfailure.com/2012/07/matt-taibbi-eliott-spitzer-and-dennis.html/ July 4, 2012 Viewpoint with Elliot Sputzer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711131836/http://www.capitalismwithoutfailure.com/2012/07/matt-taibbi-eliott-spitzer-and-dennis.html |date=July 11, 2012 }} On November 9, 2012, the magazine published its first Spanish-language section on Latino music and culture, in the issue dated November 22.Newman, Andrew Adam (November 6, 2012). [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/business/media/rolling-stone-section-is-aimed-at-latinos-even-the-ads.html "Rolling Stone Pages Aimed at Latinos, Even the Ads"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524225135/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/business/media/rolling-stone-section-is-aimed-at-latinos-even-the-ads.html |date=May 24, 2017 }}. The New York Times.Moreno, Carolina (November 12, 2012). [https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/rolling-stone-publishes-spanish-language-issue_n_2117922.html "Rolling Stone Magazine Publishes First Spanish-Language Section On Latino Music And Culture"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205014/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/rolling-stone-publishes-spanish-language-issue_n_2117922.html |date=April 2, 2015 }}. The Huffington Post.

In September 2016, Advertising Age reported that Wenner was in the process of selling a 49% stake of the magazine to a company from Singapore called BandLab Technologies. The new investor had no direct involvement in the editorial content of the magazine.{{cite news |url=http://adage.com/article/media/jann-wenner-sells-49-rolling-stone-singapore-s-bandlab/306008/ |title=Jann Wenner Sells 49% of Rolling Stone to Singapore's BandLab |work=Advertising Age |date=September 25, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926155223/http://adage.com/article/media/jann-wenner-sells-49-rolling-stone-singapore-s-bandlab/306008/ |archive-date=September 26, 2016 }}

In September 2017, Wenner Media announced that the remaining 51% of Rolling Stone magazine was up for sale.{{cite web |url= https://money.cnn.com/2017/09/18/media/rolling-stone-magazine-sale-jann-wenner/index.html |title= Rolling Stone magazine up for sale |first1= Alanna|last1= Petroff |first2= Tom |last2= Kludt |date= September 18, 2017 |work= CNNMoney |access-date= September 24, 2017 |archive-date= September 24, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140027/http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/18/media/rolling-stone-magazine-sale-jann-wenner/index.html |url-status= live }} In December 2017, Penske Media acquired the remaining stake from Wenner Media.{{cite news |last1=Ember |first1=Sydney |title=Rolling Stone Publisher Sells Majority Stake to Penske, Owner of Variety |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/dealbook/rolling-stone-penske-media-wenner.html |access-date=November 8, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001222152/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/dealbook/rolling-stone-penske-media-wenner.html |url-status=live }} It became a monthly magazine from the July 2018 issue. On January 31, 2019, Penske acquired BandLab's 49% stake in Rolling Stone, gaining full ownership of the magazine.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8495978/penske-media-corporation-acquires-full-ownership-of-rolling-stone|title=Penske Media Corporation Acquires Full Ownership of 'Rolling Stone'|date=January 31, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095417/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8495978/penske-media-corporation-acquires-full-ownership-of-rolling-stone|url-status=live}}

In January 2021, a Chinese edition of the magazine was launched,{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/media/rolling-stone-magazine-uk-mick-jagger-bastille-lashanda-lynch-sam-fender-1223824|title=British Rolling Stone magazine returns 50 years after Mick Jagger left it to 'hippies'|newspaper=i|first=Benjamin|last=Butterworth|date=September 29, 2021|access-date=October 4, 2021|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183527/https://inews.co.uk/news/media/rolling-stone-magazine-uk-mick-jagger-bastille-lashanda-lynch-sam-fender-1223824|url-status=live}} while in September 2021, Rolling Stone launched a dedicated UK edition in conjunction with Attitude magazine publisher Stream Publishing.{{Cite web|url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/attitude-publisher-to-launch-uk-edition-of-rolling-stone-magazine/|title=Attitude publisher to launch UK edition of Rolling Stone magazine|website=Press Gazette|first=Charlotte|last=Tobitt|date=July 8, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708162302/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/attitude-publisher-to-launch-uk-edition-of-rolling-stone-magazine/|url-status=live}} The new British Rolling Stone launched into a marketplace which already featured titles like Mojo and BandLab Technologies's monthly music magazine Uncut.{{Cite web|url = https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2019/05/nme-and-uncut-magazines-sold-to-former-rolling-stone-owner/|title = NME and Uncut magazines sold to former Rolling Stone owner|date = May 21, 2019|access-date = July 8, 2021|archive-date = July 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185952/https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2019/05/nme-and-uncut-magazines-sold-to-former-rolling-stone-owner/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rolling-stone-launches-uk-edition|title=Rolling Stone Launches UK Edition|date=July 8, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708104207/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rolling-stone-launches-uk-edition|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/rolling-stone-to-launch-in-the-uk-across-print-digital-and-events/|title=Rolling Stone to launch in the UK|website=Music Business Worldwide|date=July 8, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708160252/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/rolling-stone-to-launch-in-the-uk-across-print-digital-and-events/|url-status=live}} The first issue had a choice of three cover stars (including music acts Bastille and Sam Fender, as well as No Time To Die actor Lashana Lynch), with the magazine due to be a bi-monthly publication.

In February 2022, Rolling Stone announced the acquisition of Life Is Beautiful, saying, "Live events are an integral part of Rolling Stone's future."{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/music/life-is-beautiful-festival-in-las-vegas-bought-by-rolling-stone-2524708/|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 5, 2022|title=Life is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas bought by Rolling Stone|first=David|last=Wilson|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|archive-date=February 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206151037/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/music/life-is-beautiful-festival-in-las-vegas-bought-by-rolling-stone-2524708/|url-status=live}}

In 2023 Rolling Stone was nominated for its first-ever Emmy award in the "Outstanding Interactive Media" category for its investigation into "The DJ and the War Crimes".{{Cite web |title=The 44th News & Documentary Nominations – The Emmys |url=https://theemmys.tv/news-44th-nominations/ |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=theemmys.tv |date=July 27, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201173301/https://theemmys.tv/news-44th-nominations/ |url-status=live }} The piece also won a National Magazine Award for digital design{{Cite web |title=AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGAZINE EDITORS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2023 NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS |url=https://asme.memberclicks.net/american-society-of-magazine-editors-announces-winners-of-2023-national-magazine-awards |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=asme.memberclicks.net |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217093408/https://asme.memberclicks.net/american-society-of-magazine-editors-announces-winners-of-2023-national-magazine-awards |url-status=live }} and an Overseas Press Club Award.{{Cite web |last=America |first=OPC of |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Citation Winners |url=https://opcofamerica.org/citation-winners-2022/ |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=OPC |language=en-US |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607053153/https://opcofamerica.org/citation-winners-2022/ |url-status=live }} In December 2023 Rolling Stone collected five National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards,{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=December 4, 2023 |title=Rolling Stone Wins 5 L.A. Press Club Awards |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/rolling-stone-wins-five-los-angeles-press-club-awards-2023-1234909107/ |access-date=February 4, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211204515/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/rolling-stone-wins-five-los-angeles-press-club-awards-2023-1234909107/ |url-status=live }} four Front Page Awards,{{Cite web |title=Front Page Awards |url=https://www.newswomensclubnewyork.com/fps-index |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=THE NEWSWOMEN'S CLUB OF NEW YORK |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201010210/https://www.newswomensclubnewyork.com/fps-index |url-status=live }} and a Deadline Club award.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2023 |title=2023 Awards Winners with Judges' Comments – Deadline Club |url=https://www.deadlineclub.org/2023-award-winners/ |access-date=February 4, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203193732/https://www.deadlineclub.org/2023-award-winners/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of people on the United States cover of Rolling Stone}}

Some artists have been featured on the cover many times, and some of these pictures went on to become iconic. The Beatles, for example, have appeared on the cover more than 30 times, either individually or as a band.{{cite magazine |last=Wenner |first= Jann |date=2006 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue |title=Our 1000th Issue – Jann Wenner looks back on 39 years of Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 21, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902102236/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue |archive-date=September 2, 2006 }} The magazine is known for provocative photography and has featured musicians and celebrities on the cover throughout its history.{{cite web |date=September 18, 2017 |last1=Ember |first1=Sydney |last2=Sisario |first2=Ben |title=Dylan, Obama and a Crown of Thorns: 50 Years of Rolling Stone (Published 2017) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/17/business/media/rolling-stone-covers.html |website=The New York Times |quote=Its covers minted stars. |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043106/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/17/business/media/rolling-stone-covers.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Havers |first=Richard |title=On The Cover Of The 'Rolling Stone' |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-cover-of-rolling-stone/ |access-date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=uDiscoverMusic |date=November 9, 2018 |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815154853/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-cover-of-rolling-stone/ |url-status=live }} The cover of the issue from January 22, 1981, featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono, has been called the "Greatest Rolling Stone Cover Ever" by Vanity Fair.{{cite web |date= September 29, 2017 |last= Hagan |first= Joe |title= Jann Wenner, John Lennon, and the Greatest Rolling Stone Cover Ever |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/jann-wenner-john-lennon-and-the-greatest-rolling-stone-cover-ever |website= Vanity Fair |access-date= September 9, 2019 |archive-date= August 21, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190821193020/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/jann-wenner-john-lennon-and-the-greatest-rolling-stone-cover-ever |url-status= live }}

The first ten issues featured, in order of appearance:

1. John Lennon
2. Tina Turner
3. The Beatles
4. Jimi Hendrix, Donovan and Otis Redding
5. Jim Morrison
6. Janis Joplin
7. Jimi Hendrix
8. Monterey International Pop Festival
9. John Lennon and Paul McCartney
10. Eric Clapton

The magazine spent $1 million (equivalent to ${{inflation|USD|1|start_year=2006|r=2}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) on the 3-D hologram cover of the special 1,000th issue (May 18, 2006) displaying multiple celebrities and other personalities.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Johnson |date=May 1, 2006 |title=Lots of people will get their pictures on the cover |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/columnist/mediamix/2006-05-01-media-mix_x.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214213818/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/columnist/mediamix/2006-05-01-media-mix_x.htm |url-status=live }}

The printed format has gone through several changes. The first publications, in 1967 to 1972, were in folded tabloid newspaper format, with no staples, only black ink text, and a single color highlight that changed each edition. From 1973 onwards, editions were produced on a four-color press with a different newsprint paper size. In 1979, the bar code appeared. In 1980, it became a gloss-paper, large-format (10 × 12 inch) magazine. Editions switched to the standard 8 × 11 inch magazine size starting on October 30, 2008.{{cite web|title=Rolling Stone ends large format after 4 decades|first=Anick|last=Jesdanun|agency=Associated Press|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-10-14-rollingstone_N.htm|date=October 14, 2008|work=USA Today|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=September 2, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902102236/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue|url-status=live}} Starting with the new monthly July 2018 issue, it returned to the previous 10 × 12 inch large format.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cardi-b-live-events-fewer-issues-meet-the-new-rolling-stone-1530529320|title=Cardi B, Live Events, Fewer Issues: Meet the New Rolling Stone|last=Trachtenberg|first=Jeffrey A.|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2019|archive-date=November 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103193942/https://www.wsj.com/articles/cardi-b-live-events-fewer-issues-meet-the-new-rolling-stone-1530529320|url-status=live}}

The publication's site at one time had an extensive message-board forum. By the late 1990s, this had developed into a thriving community, with many regular members and contributors worldwide. However, the site was also plagued with numerous Internet trolls, who vandalized the forum substantially.{{cite web|url=http://rsjunior.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=tribunal&action=display&thread=1085021884&page=19 |title=RS.com Castaways – Troll Tribunal |website=Rsjunior.proboards18.com |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211232740/http://rsjunior.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=tribunal&action=display&thread=1085021884&page=19 |archive-date=February 11, 2008 }} The magazine abruptly deleted the forum in May 2004, then began a new, much more limited message board community on their site in late 2005, only to remove it again in 2006. In March 2008, the website started a new message board section once again, then deleted it in April 2010.

Rolling Stone devotes one of its table of contents pages to promoting material currently appearing on its website, listing detailed links to the items.

On April 19, 2010, the website underwent a redesign and began featuring the complete archives of Rolling Stone.{{cite magazine |url=http://archive.rollingstone.com |title=Rolling Stone All Access |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617152701/http://archive.rollingstone.com/ |archive-date=June 17, 2012 }} The archive was first launched under a for-pay model, but has since transitioned to a free-with-print-subscription model.{{cite magazine |url=https://sub.rollingstone.com/allaccess/subscribe |title=Rolling Stone All Access-Subscribe to Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164155/https://sub.rollingstone.com/allaccess/subscribe |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }} In the spring of 2012, Rolling Stone launched a federated search feature, which searches both the website and the archive.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/search?q=wiki |title=Federated Rolling Stone search for 'wiki' |magazine=Rollingstone.com |access-date=June 20, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924225136/http://www.rollingstone.com/search?q=wiki |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}

The website has become an interactive source of biographical information on music artists in addition to historical rankings from the magazine. Users can cross-reference lists and they are also provided with historical insights. For example, one group that is listed on both Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time is Toots and the Maytals, with biographical details that explain how the band coined the term "reggae" in their song "Do the Reggay".Rolling Stone. "453. Toots and the Maytals, 'Pressure Drop'" Rolling Stone magazine. Web. April 7, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2016. {{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/toots-and-the-maytals-pressure-drop-20110526 |title=The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 11, 2003 |access-date=December 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124103142/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/toots-and-the-maytals-pressure-drop-20110526 |archive-date=November 24, 2016}}Rolling Stone. "380. Toots and the Maytals, 'Funky Kingston'" Rolling Stone magazine. Web. May 31, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2016. {{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/toots-and-the-maytals-funky-kingston-20120524 |title=The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 31, 2009|access-date=December 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120100834/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/toots-and-the-maytals-funky-kingston-20120524 |archive-date=January 20, 2017 }} For biographical information on all artists, the website contains a directory listed alphabetically.Rolling Stone. "Artists". Rolling Stone magazine. Web. Retrieved December 16, 2016. {{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists |title=Artists |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427033230/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists |archive-date=April 27, 2010 }}

{{anchor|Glixel}}

In May 2016, Wenner Media announced plans to create a separate online publication dedicated to the coverage of video games and video game culture. Gus Wenner, Jann Wenner's son and head of digital for the publication at the time, told The New York Times that "gaming is today what rock 'n' roll was when Rolling Stone was founded". Glixel was originally hosted on Rolling Stone{{'}}s website, and transitioned to its own domain by October 2016. Stories from Glixel are included on the Rolling Stone website, while writers for Rolling Stone were also able to contribute to Glixel. The site was headed by John Davison, and its offices were located in San Francisco.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/23/business/wenner-media-to-launch-glixel-website-as-lifeline-for-gamers.html | title = Wenner Media to Launch Glixel Website as Lifeline for Gamers | first = Sydney | last = Ember | date = May 22, 2016 | access-date = December 16, 2016 | work = The New York Times | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170524225143/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/23/business/wenner-media-to-launch-glixel-website-as-lifeline-for-gamers.html | archive-date = May 24, 2017 | df = mdy-all }}{{cite web | url = http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/wenner-media-to-launch-gaming-site-glixel/376116 | title = Wenner Media to Launch Gaming Site 'Glixel' | first = Chris | last = O'Shea | date = May 23, 2016 | access-date = December 16, 2016 | work = Adweek | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161222080216/http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/wenner-media-to-launch-gaming-site-glixel/376116 | archive-date = December 22, 2016 | df = mdy-all }} In June 2017, Rolling Stone closed down the Glixel offices and fired the entire staff, citing the difficulties of working with the remote site from their main New York office. Brian Crecente, founder of Kotaku and co-founder of Polygon, was hired as editorial director, and ran the site from the main New York office.{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-07-03-glixels-san-francisco-office-closed-team-laid-off | title = Glixel's San Francisco office closed, team laid off | first = James | last = Batchelor | date = July 3, 2017 | access-date = July 3, 2017 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170703134332/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-07-03-glixels-san-francisco-office-closed-team-laid-off | archive-date = July 3, 2017 | df = mdy-all }} Following the sale of Rolling Stone{{'}}s assets to Penske Media Corporation, the Glixel content was merged into the routine publishing of Variety, with Crecente remaining as editorial director.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/brian-crecente-variety-video-games-editor-1202745878/ | title = Brian Crecente Joins Variety as New Video Games Editor | date = April 6, 2019 | access-date = April 12, 2019 | work = Variety | archive-date = April 26, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190426021926/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/brian-crecente-variety-video-games-editor-1202745878/ | url-status = live }}

{{Liberalism US|media}}

In 2017, Graham Ruddick of The Guardian described Rolling Stone as a "rock'n'roll magazine turned liberal cheerleader".{{Cite news |last=Ruddick |first=Graham |date=2017-09-18 |title=Rolling Stone, rock'n'roll magazine turned liberal cheerleader, up for sale |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/18/rolling-stone-magazine-up-for-sale |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831013734/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/18/rolling-stone-magazine-up-for-sale |url-status=live }} Bruce Schulman wrote in The Washington Post that Rolling Stone has "routinely support[ed] liberal candidates and causes" since the 1990s.{{Cite news |last=Schulman |first=Bruce J. |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Perspective {{!}} Can't escape politics today? Blame Rolling Stone. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-history/wp/2017/11/09/cant-escape-politics-today-blame-rolling-stone/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

In 2008, conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg stated that Rolling Stone had "essentially become the house organ of the Democratic National Committee".{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Jonah |date=September 12, 2008 |title=Very Different Visions |url=http://townhall.com/columnists/JonahGoldberg/2008/09/12/very_different_visions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912163008/http://townhall.com/columnists/jonahgoldberg/2008/09/12/very_different_visions |archive-date=September 12, 2016 |work=Townhall}} Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner has made all of his political donations to Democrats,{{cite news |date=September 22, 2010 |title=Jann Wenner Campaign Contributions and Donations – Huffington Post |url=http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=wenner&fname=jann&search=Search |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126122142/http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=wenner&fname=jann&search=Search |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |website=Fundrace.huffingtonpost.com}} and has conducted high-profile interviews for the magazine with Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Rolling Stone endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the run-up for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.{{cite magazine |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Editorial: Hillary Clinton for president |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/hillary-clinton-for-president-20160323 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123195009/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/hillary-clinton-for-president-20160323 |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

Rolling Stone has criticized Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump. In 2006, it described Bush as the "worst president in history".{{Cite magazine |last=Wilentz |first=Sean |date=2006-05-04 |title=George W. Bush: The Worst President in History? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/george-w-bush-the-worst-president-in-history-192899/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623012041/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/george-w-bush-the-worst-president-in-history-192899/ |url-status=live }} In August 2017, the cover of the magazine featured Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau with the headline "Why can't he be our president?"

One major criticism of Rolling Stone involves its generational bias toward the 1960s and 1970s. One critic referred to the magazine's "500 Greatest Songs" list as an example of "unrepentant rockist fogeyism". In further response to this issue, rock critic Jim DeRogatis, a former Rolling Stone editor, published a thorough critique of the magazine's lists in a book called Kill Your Idols: A New Generation of Rock Writers Reconsiders the Classics, which featured differing opinions from many younger critics.July 4, 2004. Idle worship, or revisiting the classics. Jim DeRogatis. Chicago Sun-Times. [http://murmurs.com/talk/showthread.php?t=70805&referrerid=22928 Article discussing intention of book] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714133158/http://murmurs.com/talk/showthread.php?t=70805&referrerid=22928 |date=July 14, 2011 }}

Rolling Stone has been criticized for reconsidering many classic albums that it had previously dismissed, and for frequent use of the 3.5-star rating. For example, Led Zeppelin was largely written off by Rolling Stone critics during the band's most active years in the 1970s, but by 2006, a cover story on the band honored them as "the Heaviest Band of All Time".{{cite web|url=http://www.shoutmouth.com/index.php/news/12829 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630190730/http://www.shoutmouth.com/index.php/news/12829 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2007 |title=Documentation of attempt to change reviews |website=Shoutmouth.com |access-date=August 18, 2011 }} A critic for Slate magazine described a conference at which 1984's The Rolling Stone Record Guide was scrutinized. As he described it, "The guide virtually ignored hip-hop and ruthlessly panned heavy metal, the two genres that within a few years would dominate the pop charts. In an auditorium packed with music journalists, you could detect more than a few anxious titters: How many of us will want our record reviews read back to us 20 years hence?"{{cite web |last=Rosen |first=Jody |url=http://slate.com/id/2141418/ |title=Does hating rock make you a music critic? |website=Slate |date=May 9, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826062339/http://www.slate.com/id/2141418 |archive-date=August 26, 2011 }}

The hiring of former FHM editor Ed Needham in 2002 further enraged critics who alleged that Rolling Stone had lost its credibility.{{cite news |url=http://salon.com/ent/feature/2002/06/28/rollingstone/index.html |title=The death of Rolling Stone |work=Salon.com |date=June 28, 2002 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220000302/http://salon.com/ent/feature/2002/06/28/rollingstone/index.html |archive-date=December 20, 2009 }}

The 2003 "100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time" list, which named only two female musicians, resulted in Venus Zine answering with their own list, entitled "The Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time".{{cite web|url=http://www.venuszine.com/articles/music/2575/The_Greatest_Female_Guitarists_of_All_Time|title=The Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time|last=Thurston|first=Bonnie|date=March 1, 2008|website=Venus Zine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917153555/http://www.venuszine.com/articles/music/2575/The_Greatest_Female_Guitarists_of_All_Time|archive-date=September 17, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=October 15, 2010}}

Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers has been criticized for his high number of repetitively used blurbs.{{cite web|url=http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2638&highlight=peter+travers|title=Criticwatch 2008 – The Whores of the Year|last=Childress|first=Erik|website=eFilmCritic.com|access-date=September 17, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904072805/http://www.efilmcritic.com:80/feature.php?feature=2638|archive-date=September 4, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2904&highlight=peter+travers|title=Criticwatch 2009 – The Whores of the Year|last=Childress|first=Erik|website=eFilmCritic.com|access-date=September 17, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119080525/http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2904|archive-date=January 19, 2012}}

In 2003, the article "Bug Chasers: The men who long to be HIV+" claimed that homosexuals who intentionally sought to be infected with HIV accounted for 25% of new cases each year. However, the physicians cited in the article later denied making such statements.{{cite web |last1=Drudge |first1=Matt |author1-link=Matt Drudge |title=MAG: 25% OF NEW HIV-INFECTED GAY MEN SOUGHT OUT VIRUS, SAYS SAN FRAN HEALTH OFFICIAL |website=www.drudgereportarchives.com |publisher=Drudge Report |access-date=March 13, 2022 |url=http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2003/01/22/20030122_165137_rr.htm |date=January 21, 2003 |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516120133/http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2003/01/22/20030122_165137_rr.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Mnookin |first1=Seth |authorlink=Seth Mnookin |title=Is Rolling Stone's Hiv Story Wildly Exaggerated? |url=https://www.newsweek.com/rolling-stones-hiv-story-wildly-exaggerated-135057 |website=Newsweek |language=en |date=January 22, 2003 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518101004/https://www.newsweek.com/rolling-stones-hiv-story-wildly-exaggerated-135057 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Andrew |author1-link=Andrew Sullivan |title=Sex- and death-crazed gays play viral Russian Roulette! |url=https://www.salon.com/2003/01/24/rolling/ |website=Salon |language=en |date=January 25, 2003 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704133530/https://www.salon.com/2003/01/24/rolling/ |url-status=live }}

In 2005, the article "Deadly Immunity", by activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., attracted criticism for quoting material out of context, and Rolling Stone eventually amended the story with corrections in response to these and other criticisms.{{cite news |author=Kloor, Keith |author-link=Keith Kloor |date=July 18, 2014 |title=Robert Kennedy Jr.'s belief in autism-vaccine connection, and its political peril |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/robert-kennedy-jrs-belief-in-autism-vaccine-connection-and-its-political-peril/2014/07/16/f21c01ee-f70b-11e3-a606-946fd632f9f1_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=November 22, 2015 |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123202252/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/robert-kennedy-jrs-belief-in-autism-vaccine-connection-and-its-political-peril/2014/07/16/f21c01ee-f70b-11e3-a606-946fd632f9f1_story.html |url-status=live }}

The August 2013 Rolling Stone cover, featuring then-accused (and later convicted) Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, drew widespread criticism for "glamorizing terrorism", and was called a "slap in the face to the great city of Boston".{{cite news|url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rolling-stone-cover-featuring-boston-marathon-bombing-suspect-stirs-online-backlash/|title = Rolling Stone cover featuring Boston Marathon bombing suspect stirs online backlash|date = July 17, 2013|website= CBS News|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130717163158/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57594141/rolling-stone-cover-featuring-boston-marathon-bombing-suspect-stirs-online-backlash/|archive-date = July 17, 2013|df = mdy-all}} The online edition of the article was accompanied by a short editorial stating that the story "falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone{{'}}s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day".{{cite magazine|last=Reitman|first=Janet|title=Jahar's World|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/jahars-world-20130717|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 24, 2013|date=July 17, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726050713/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/jahars-world-20130717|archive-date=July 26, 2013}} The controversial cover photograph that was used by Rolling Stone had previously featured on the front page of The New York Times on May 5, 2013.{{cite news|last=Wemple|first=Erik|title=Rolling Stone's Tsarnaev: Did the New York Times face a backlash?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/07/17/rolling-stones-tsarnaev-did-the-new-york-times-face-a-backlash/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 24, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722091511/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/07/17/rolling-stones-tsarnaev-did-the-new-york-times-face-a-backlash/|archive-date=July 22, 2013}}

In response to the outcry, New England–based CVS Pharmacy and Tedeschi Food Shops banned their stores from carrying the issue.{{cite news|url = https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/cvs-tedeschi-rolling-stone_n_3611805.html|title = Rolling Stone's 'The Bomber' Issue Banned By CVS, Tedeschi Foods|date = July 17, 2013|work = The Huffington Post|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130718013350/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/cvs-tedeschi-rolling-stone_n_3611805.html|archive-date = July 18, 2013|df = mdy-all}} They were later joined by Walgreens,{{cite news | url=http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/biz-beat/2013/jul/17/cvs-dropping-rolling-stone-edition-boston-marathon/ | last=Seward | first=Christopher | title=Rolling Stone defends mag cover; CVS, Walgreens drop Rolling Stone edition on Boston Marathon suspect | work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date=July 17, 2013 | access-date=July 17, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720231240/http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/biz-beat/2013/jul/17/cvs-dropping-rolling-stone-edition-boston-marathon/ | archive-date=July 20, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} Rite-Aid, Kmart,{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/retailers-rock-stars-rip-rolling-stones-boston-bomber-cover/ | title=Retailers, rock stars rip Rolling Stone's Boston bomber cover | work=Fox News | access-date=July 18, 2013 | date=July 18, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719044442/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/07/18/retailers-rock-stars-rip-rolling-stone-boston-bomber-cover/ | archive-date=July 19, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} Roche Bros., Stop & Shop,{{cite news | url=https://tmz.com/2013/07/17/cvs-boycott-rolling-stone-boston-bomber-cover/ | title=CVS Boycotting Rolling Stone Over Boston Bomber Cover | work=TMZ | access-date=July 17, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719234944/http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/17/cvs-boycott-rolling-stone-boston-bomber-cover/ | archive-date=July 19, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} H-E-B, Walmart,{{cite news | url=https://www.chron.com/business/local/article/H-E-B-won-t-be-selling-a-roiling-Rolling-Stone-4672578.php | last=Morton | first=Neal | title=H-E-B won't be selling a roiling Rolling Stone | work=The Houston Chronicle | date=July 18, 2013 | access-date=July 19, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722054240/http://www.chron.com/business/local/article/H-E-B-won-t-be-selling-a-roiling-Rolling-Stone-4672578.php | archive-date=July 22, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} 7-Eleven,{{cite web|last=Wilonsky|first=Robert|title=Dallas-based 7-Eleven joins list of retailers banning issue of 'Rolling Stone' featuring Dzhokhar Tsarnaev|url=http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/dallas-based-7-eleven-joins-list-of-retailers-banning-issue-of-rolling-stone-featuring-dzhokhar-tsarnaev.html/|work=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=July 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721082824/http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/dallas-based-7-eleven-joins-list-of-retailers-banning-issue-of-rolling-stone-featuring-dzhokhar-tsarnaev.html/|archive-date=July 21, 2013}} Hy-Vee, Rutter's Farm, United Supermarkets,{{cite news | url=http://www.csnews.com/top-story-corporate_responsibility-more_c_store_retailers_join_rolling_stone_boycott-64104.html | title=More C-store Retailers Join Rolling Stone Boycott | work=Convenience Store News | date=July 18, 2013 | access-date=July 19, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722161659/http://www.csnews.com/top-story-corporate_responsibility-more_c_store_retailers_join_rolling_stone_boycott-64104.html | archive-date=July 22, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} Cumberland Farms, Market Basket,{{cite news | url=http://www.cw56.com/news/articles/local/boston/10011177596673/some-stores-won-t-sell-new-issue-of-rolling-stone/ | title=Some stores won't sell new issue of 'Rolling Stone' | work=CW 56 Boston | access-date=July 17, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212032320/http://www.cw56.com/news/articles/local/boston/10011177596673/some-stores-won-t-sell-new-issue-of-rolling-stone/ | archive-date=December 12, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} and Shaw's.{{cite news | url=http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23679228/mass-supermarkets-wont-carry-rolling-stones-tsarnaev-cover | title=Mass. supermarkets won't carry Rolling Stone's Tsarnaev cover | work=The Lowell Sun | access-date=July 17, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213023908/http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23679228/mass-supermarkets-wont-carry-rolling-stones-tsarnaev-cover | archive-date=December 13, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}

Boston mayor Thomas Menino sent a letter to Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, calling the cover "ill-conceived, at best ... [it] reaffirms a message that destruction gains fame for killers and their 'causes'." Menino also wrote, "To respond to you in anger is to feed into your obvious market strategy", and that Wenner could have written about the survivors or the people who came to help after the bombings instead. In conclusion he wrote, "The survivors of the Boston Marathon deserve Rolling Stone cover stories, though I no longer feel that Rolling Stone deserves them."{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=513983038667049&set=a.513799432018743.1073741828.513576305374389&type=1&theater |title=Tijdlijnfoto's |website=Facebook |access-date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101113330/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=513983038667049&set=a.513799432018743.1073741828.513576305374389&type=1&theater |archive-date=January 1, 2016 }}

{{Main|A Rape on Campus}}

On November 19, 2014, the magazine ran the story "A Rape on Campus", about an alleged gang rape on the campus of the University of Virginia.{{cite news |last1=Erdely |first1=Sabrina |author-link=Sabrina Erdely |title=A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice at UVA |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |date=November 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120205928/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119 |archive-date=November 20, 2014}}{{cbignore}} Separate inquiries by Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity accused by Rolling Stone of facilitating the alleged rape, and The Washington Post revealed major errors, omissions and discrepancies in the story.{{cite news |last=Wemple |first=Erik |date=December 2, 2014 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/12/02/rolling-stone-whiffs-in-reporting-on-alleged-rape/ |title=Rolling Stone whiffs in reporting on alleged rape |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-date=March 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324051412/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/12/02/rolling-stone-whiffs-in-reporting-on-alleged-rape/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=T. Rees |date=December 10, 2014 |title=U-Va. students challenge Rolling Stone account of alleged sexual assault |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/u-va-students-challenge-rolling-stone-account-of-attack/2014/12/10/ef345e42-7fcb-11e4-81fd-8c4814dfa9d7_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201907/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/u-va-students-challenge-rolling-stone-account-of-attack/2014/12/10/ef345e42-7fcb-11e4-81fd-8c4814dfa9d7_story.html |archive-date=November 23, 2016 }} Reporter Sabrina Erdely's story was subject to intense media criticism.{{cite news |last=Schow |first=Ashe |date=December 3, 2014 |title=If false, Rolling Stone story could set rape victims back decades |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/if-false-rolling-stone-story-could-set-rape-victims-back-decades/article/2556895 |newspaper=The Washington Examiner |access-date=December 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203191436/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/if-false-rolling-stone-story-could-set-rape-victims-back-decades/article/2556895 |archive-date=December 3, 2014 }} The Washington Post and Boston Herald issued calls for magazine staff involved in the report to be fired.{{cite news |date=December 7, 2014 |title=Apparently, this Rolling Stone gathers no facts |last=Cohen |first=Adriana |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/adriana_cohen/2014/12/adriana_cohen_apparently_this_rolling_stone_gathers_no |newspaper=Boston Herald |access-date=December 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207105348/http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/adriana_cohen/2014/12/adriana_cohen_apparently_this_rolling_stone_gathers_no |archive-date=December 7, 2014 }} Rolling Stone subsequently issued three apologies for the story.

On December 5, 2014, Rolling Stone{{'}}s managing editor, Will Dana, apologized for not fact-checking the story.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/a-note-to-our-readers-20141205 |title=A Note to Our Readers |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903121715/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/a-note-to-our-readers-20141205 |archive-date=September 3, 2015 }} The magazine commissioned an outside investigation of the story and its problems by the dean of the Columbia School of Journalism. The report uncovered journalistic failure in the UVA story and institutional problems with reporting at Rolling Stone.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/04/05/columbia-journalism-school-report-blasts-rolling-stone/ |title=Columbia Journalism School report blasts Rolling Stone |last=Wemple |first=Erik |date=April 5, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407051152/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/04/05/columbia-journalism-school-report-blasts-rolling-stone/ |archive-date=April 7, 2015 }} Rolling Stone retracted the story on April 5, 2015.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-what-went-wrong-20150405?page=5|title=Page 5 of Rolling Stone and UVA: The Columbia School of Journalism Report|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406090831/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-what-went-wrong-20150405?page=5|archive-date=April 6, 2015}} The next day, following the investigation and retraction of the story, Phi Kappa Psi announced plans to pursue all available legal action against Rolling Stone, including claims of defamation.{{cite news |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2015/04/07/sizing-up-phi-kappa-psis-potential-suit-against-rolling-stone/ |work=The Wall Street Journal |first=Jacob |last=Gershman |date=April 7, 2015 |title=Sizing Up Phi Kappa Psi's Potential Suit Against Rolling Stone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524215948/https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2015/04/07/sizing-up-phi-kappa-psis-potential-suit-against-rolling-stone/ |archive-date=May 24, 2017 }}

On May 12, 2015, UVA associate dean Nicole Eramo, chief administrator for handling sexual assault issues at the school, filed a $7.5 million defamation lawsuit in Charlottesville Circuit Court against Rolling Stone and Erdely, claiming damage to her reputation and emotional distress. Said the filing, "Rolling Stone and Erdely's highly defamatory and false statements about Dean Eramo were not the result of an innocent mistake. They were the result of a wanton journalist who was more concerned with writing an article that fulfilled her preconceived narrative about the victimization of women on American college campuses, and a malicious publisher who was more concerned about selling magazines to boost the economic bottom line for its faltering magazine, than they were about discovering the truth or actual facts."Shapiro, T. Rees, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/u-va-dean-sues-rolling-stone-for-false-portrayal-in-retracted-rape-story/2015/05/12/2128a84a-f862-11e4-a13c-193b1241d51a_story.html U-Va. dean sues Rolling Stone for 'false' portrayal in retracted rape story] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513080410/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/u-va-dean-sues-rolling-stone-for-false-portrayal-in-retracted-rape-story/2015/05/12/2128a84a-f862-11e4-a13c-193b1241d51a_story.html |date=May 13, 2015 }}", Washington Post, May 12, 2015 On November 4, 2016, after 20 hours of deliberation,{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/rolling-stone-defendants-liable-for-defamation/article_89a5c93e-a2b6-11e6-84b2-2f2e7789ea55.html|title=Jury says Rolling Stone article defamed UVa administrator|first=Lauren|last=Berg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902102236/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10224178/our_1000th_issue|archive-date=September 2, 2006}} a jury consisting of eight women and two men found Rolling Stone, the magazine's publisher and Erdely liable for defaming Eramo, and awarded Eramo $3 million.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/11/04/media/uva-rolling-stone-defamation-jury/index.html|title=Rolling Stone trial: Jury finds magazine liable for defamation for discredited rape story|first=Julia|last=Horowitz|date=November 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105032143/http://money.cnn.com/2016/11/04/media/uva-rolling-stone-defamation-jury/index.html|archive-date=November 5, 2016}}

On July 29, 2015, three graduates of the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi filed a lawsuit against Rolling Stone, its publisher Wenner Media, and a journalist for defamation and infliction of emotional distress.{{cite news |title=Virginia college graduates sue Rolling Stone over rape story |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-sexcrimes-lawsuit-idUSKCN0Q32NS20150730 |newspaper=Reuters |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=July 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802051204/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/30/us-usa-sexcrimes-lawsuit-idUSKCN0Q32NS20150730 |archive-date=August 2, 2015 }} The same day, and just months after the controversy began, The New York Times reported that managing editor Will Dana was departing the magazine with his last date recorded as August 7, 2015.{{cite news |title=Will Dana, Rolling Stone's Managing Editor, to Depart |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/business/media/will-dana-rolling-stones-managing-editor-to-depart.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2015 |first=Ravi |last=Somaiya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802043813/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/business/media/will-dana-rolling-stones-managing-editor-to-depart.html?_r=0 |archive-date=August 2, 2015 }} On November 9, 2015, the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity filed suit for $25 million for damages to its reputation caused by the magazine's publication of the story, "with reckless disregard for the truth".{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=T. Rees |title=U-Va. fraternity files $25 million lawsuit against Rolling Stone |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/11/09/phi-psi-chapter-at-u-va-files-25-million-lawsuit-against-rolling-stone/ |access-date=November 9, 2015 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601154120/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/11/09/phi-psi-chapter-at-u-va-files-25-million-lawsuit-against-rolling-stone/ |archive-date=June 1, 2016 }}{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Ian |title=Virginia fraternity sues Rolling Stone over rape story |url=http://www.aol.com/article/2015/11/09/virginia-fraternity-sues-rolling-stone-over-rape-story/21261516/ |access-date=November 9, 2015 |agency=Reuters |publisher=AOL |date=November 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20161007160210/http://www.aol.com/article/2015/11/09/virginia-fraternity-sues-rolling-stone-over-rape-story/21261516/ |archive-date=October 7, 2016 }} Rolling Stone paid the fraternity $1.65 million to settle the suit out of court.{{cite web| url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/rolling-stone-settles-last-remaining-lawsuit-uva-rape-story-1069880/| title = Rolling Stone Settles Last Remaining Lawsuit Over UVA Rape Story| website = The Hollywood Reporter| date = December 21, 2017| access-date = September 6, 2021| archive-date = September 6, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210906195637/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/rolling-stone-settles-last-remaining-lawsuit-uva-rape-story-1069880/| url-status = live}}

In 2016, Rolling Stone commissioned Sean Penn to write a feature on Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán in what was billed as a landmark story and Guzmán's first-ever interview. Penn met Guzmán, then wanted by Mexican and U.S. authorities, at a jungle hideout for an interview, which was agreed to by Guzmán on the condition he have final editorial control over the article.{{cite news |last1=Dilts |first1=Elizabeth |title=Rolling Stone sparks new scrutiny after Sean Penn interview with 'El Chapo' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-mexico-guzman-rollingstone/rolling-stone-sparks-new-scrutiny-after-sean-penn-interview-with-el-chapo-idUKKCN0UP02G20160111 |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=Reuters |date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409164817/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-mexico-guzman-rollingstone/rolling-stone-sparks-new-scrutiny-after-sean-penn-interview-with-el-chapo-idUKKCN0UP02G20160111 |url-status=live }} Upon publication, the article, characterized by the Associated Press as "long and rambling", was extensively mocked by social media users and prompted a discussion about the magazine's ethical standards.{{cite news |last1=Italie |first1=Hillel |title=Rolling Stone under fire for Sean Penn's El Chapo interview |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rolling-stone-sean-penn-controversy-1.3397752 |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=CBC |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409183332/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rolling-stone-sean-penn-controversy-1.3397752 |url-status=live }} Andrew Seaman, chairman of the ethics committee of the Society of Professional Journalists, called the decision to allow a source pre-approval of an article "inexcusable", while the Poynter Institute's chief ethicist Kelly McBride opined that the article evidenced several failures of editorial control by Rolling Stone.{{cite news |last1=Carmody |first1=Casey |title=Rolling Stone Faces New Reporting Controversy, Continues to Face Questions over Retracted Story |url=https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/184721/2016%20WinterSpring602.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=The Silha Bulletin |publisher=University of Minnesota |date=Spring 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409164816/https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/184721/2016%20WinterSpring602.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }} In an interview with NPR, Alfredo Corchado, a former Mexico City bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News, said that pre-approval rights meant the story was not real journalism: "It's business, it's Hollywood. It's more in the lines of what a public relations firm would do."{{cite news |last1=Dwyer |first1=Colin |title=Interview With 'El Chapo' Draws Backlash From Mexican Journalists |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/10/462595090/interview-with-el-chapo-draws-backlash-from-mexican-journalists |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=NPR |date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409175037/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/10/462595090/interview-with-el-chapo-draws-backlash-from-mexican-journalists |url-status=live }}

Questions also arose as to whether relaxed security procedures by the magazine helped authorities track and capture Guzmán, who was arrested several days after the interview was conducted.{{cite news |title=Sean Penn's interview helped us catch El Chapo, say Mexican sources |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/10/sean-penns-interview-helped-us-catch-el-chapo-say-mexican-sources.html |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409175037/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/10/sean-penns-interview-helped-us-catch-el-chapo-say-mexican-sources.html |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, Kate del Castillo, who arranged the meeting, said that she had to flee the country after the article's publication, and charged that Penn had "used me as a bait, and then he never protected me. And risked my life and my parents' life and my sister's life and everybody surrounding me."{{cite news |last1=Carras |first1=Christi |title=Actress Kate del Castillo is calling actor Sean Penn's 2016 Rolling Stone |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-11-19/kate-del-castillo-sean-penn-el-chapo-rolling-stone |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409164816/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-11-19/kate-del-castillo-sean-penn-el-chapo-rolling-stone |url-status=live }}

Penn later said his article "had failed", noting that discussion about the ethics of the story overshadowed the actual report.{{cite news |last1=Schuppe |first1=Jon |title=Sean Penn Says His 'El Chapo' Article in Rolling Stone 'Failed' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sean-penn-says-his-el-chapo-article-rolling-stone-failed-n497341 |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409164816/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sean-penn-says-his-el-chapo-article-rolling-stone-failed-n497341 |url-status=live }}

In September 2021, Rolling Stone picked up a story published by Oklahoma news outlet KFOR which claimed that so many people had been hospitalized due to ivermectin overdoses in Oklahoma that there was no room in intensive care units for other patients, including those with gunshot wounds.{{Cite web|last=Ingram|first=Matthew|date=September 8, 2021|title=How a story about ivermectin and hospital beds went wrong|url=https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/how-a-story-about-ivermectin-and-hospital-beds-went-wrong.php|url-status=live|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=Columbia Journalism Review|language=en|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926130416/https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/how-a-story-about-ivermectin-and-hospital-beds-went-wrong.php}} However, an Oklahoma hospital said in a statement that there was no shortage of beds due to ivermectin overdoses,{{Cite web|date=September 5, 2021|title=Oklahoma hospitals respond after doctor says Ivermectin overdoses "backing up" emergency rooms|url=https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/around-the-region/oklahoma-hospitals-respond-after-doctor-says-ivermectin-overdoses-backing-up-emergency-rooms/|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=KNWA FOX24|language=en-US|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926130418/https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/around-the-region/oklahoma-hospitals-respond-after-doctor-says-ivermectin-overdoses-backing-up-emergency-rooms/|url-status=live}} and the doctor who had been interviewed by KFOR had not said that ivermectin cases were crowding out other patients, but the initial story and subsequent coverage had linked separate comments about ivermectin overdoses and scarce beds.{{Cite web|last=Soave|first=Robby|date=September 6, 2021|title=The Media Fell for a Viral Hoax About Ivermectin Overdoses Straining Rural Hospitals|url=https://reason.com/2021/09/06/ivermectin-overdoses-oklahoma-hospitals-rolling-stone-hoax/|url-status=live|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=Reason|language=en-US|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927035838/https://reason.com/2021/09/06/ivermectin-overdoses-oklahoma-hospitals-rolling-stone-hoax/}} CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale stated that Rolling Stone had "[run] an adaptation of the KFOR story without appearing to do sufficient research to make sure the local report was sound".{{Cite web|last=Dale|first=Daniel|author-link=Daniel Dale|date=September 7, 2021|title=Fact-checking the misinformation about Oklahoma hospitals and ivermectin|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/07/politics/fact-check-oklahoma-ivermectin-story/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=CNN|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926130426/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/07/politics/fact-check-oklahoma-ivermectin-story/index.html}} Rolling Stone subsequently added an editor's note that retracted the core point of its story.{{Cite magazine|last=Wade|first=Peter|date=September 6, 2021|title=One Hospital Denies Oklahoma Doctor's Story of Ivermectin Overdoses Causing ER Delays for Gunshot Victims|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/gunshot-victims-horse-dewormer-ivermectin-oklahoma-hospitals-covid-1220608/|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010030602/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/gunshot-victims-horse-dewormer-ivermectin-oklahoma-hospitals-covid-1220608/}}

Kyle Smith of National Review called Rolling Stone's correction "so humiliating, it's a wonder the place doesn't shut its doors immediately, liquidate all assets, and deny that it ever existed."{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Kyle|date=September 6, 2021|title=Running stories that are "too good to check" used to be a journalistic joke. Now it's S.O.P.|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/whatever-happened-to-the-journalistic-b-s-detector/|url-status=live|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=National Review|language=en-US|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926130420/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/whatever-happened-to-the-journalistic-b-s-detector/}} Robby Soave of Reason said that the correct story was "something Rolling Stone could have figured out on its own had the magazine bothered to contact any hospitals in Oklahoma, but alas." Alex Shephard of The New Republic wrote, "For mainstream and, particularly, liberal media this should be a stark reminder of the value of due diligence and checking sources. At the very least, make a phone call."{{Cite magazine|last=Shephard|first=Alex|date=September 7, 2021|title=How Is the Media Still Screwing Up Covid Stories?|magazine=The New Republic|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/163573/media-ivermectin-rachel-maddow-pandemic|access-date=September 26, 2021|issn=0028-6583|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006091122/https://newrepublic.com/article/163573/media-ivermectin-rachel-maddow-pandemic|url-status=live}}

On January 31, 2023, ABC News reporter James Gordon Meek was arrested by the FBI and charged with transporting child pornography. Rolling Stone initially broke the story, but did not mention the child sexual abuse images that led to the investigation, which were known to the reporters. Instead, it suggested that Meek had been "targeted" by the US government for his reporting on national security issues, writing that "Meek appears to be on the wrong side of the national-security apparatus".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/fbi-raid-abc-news_producer-1234613619/|title=FBI Raids Star ABC News Producer's Home|magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 23, 2023|date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019003915/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/fbi-raid-abc-news_producer-1234613619/ |archive-date=October 19, 2022 }} In the following months, it was revealed that Rolling Stone editor Noah Shachtman, who personally knows Meek and is considered friendly with him, had the story rewritten before publication to exclude all mentions of the child sexual abuse material, without the original journalist Tatiana Siegel's knowledge.{{Cite web |last=Folkenflick |first=David |date=March 21, 2023 |title=The FBI raided a notable journalist's home. Rolling Stone didn't tell readers why |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/21/1164360143/rolling-stone-fbi-raid-journalist-james-gordon-meek |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=NPR |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323003504/https://www.npr.org/2023/03/21/1164360143/rolling-stone-fbi-raid-journalist-james-gordon-meek |url-status=live }}

George Harrison's 1975 song "This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)", a lyrical sequel to his Beatles track "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (1968), references the magazine in its second verse: "Learned to get up when I fall / Can even climb Rolling Stone walls". The song was written in response to some highly unfavorable reviews from Rolling Stone and other publications for Harrison's 1974 North American tour and his album Dark Horse.{{cite book|author=Leng, Simon |title=While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison|publisher= Hal Leonard |location=Milwaukee, WI|date=2006|pages= 181–82}}{{cite book|author=Clayson, Alan|title=George Harrison|publisher= Sanctuary |location=London|date= 2003|page= 350|isbn =9781860743498}}

The 2000 film Almost Famous centers on a teenage journalist writing for the magazine in the early 1970s while covering the fictional band Stillwater. The film was directed by Cameron Crowe and was based on his own experiences as a young journalist for the magazine in the same time period.[http://www.theuncool.com/bio/ "Biography,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729210554/http://www.theuncool.com/bio/ |date=July 29, 2018 }} The Uncool: The Official Website for Everything Cameron Crowe. Accessed December 14, 2014.

"The Cover of Rolling Stone" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and first recorded by American rock band Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. The song satirizes success in the music business; the song's narrator laments that his band, despite having the superficial attributes of a successful rock star (including drug usage, "teenage groupies, who'll do anything we say", and a frenetic guitar solo), has been unable to "get their pictures on the cover of the Rolling Stone".{{cite magazine |date=June 22, 2004 |title=1973 Rolling Stone Covers |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/1973-rolling-stone-covers-208781/rs131-dr-hook-the-medicine-show-whats-their-2-141151/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508113937/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/1973-rolling-stone-covers-208781/rs131-dr-hook-the-medicine-show-whats-their-2-141151/ |url-status=live }}

The title track of Pink Floyd's album The Final Cut features the line, "Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone?"

The track "Baker Street Muse" on Jethro Tull's album Minstrel in the Gallery includes the line "I have no time for Time Magazine or Rolling Stone".

Charlie Robison's 1998 song "Sunset Boulevard" name-drops the magazine with the line, "Well, I wish I had my picture on the Rolling Stone today".

In Stephen King's novel Firestarter, the protagonists decide to tell their story to Rolling Stone.

In Joni Mitchell's song "California", the magazine is referenced in the line, "Reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue".

In May 2022, the off-Broadway play Retraction, adapted from the "A Rape on Campus" article controversy and resulting legal battles, premiered at Theatre Four at Theatre Row in New York City.{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Jed |date=May 11, 2022 |title=RETRACTION By David Gutierrez on NYC's Theatre Row: A Review |url=https://lavenderafterdark.com/2022/05/11/retraction-by-david-gutierrez-on-nycs-theatre-row-a-review/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=LAVENDER AFTER DARK (because life begins when the sun goes down...) |language=en |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521123426/https://lavenderafterdark.com/2022/05/11/retraction-by-david-gutierrez-on-nycs-theatre-row-a-review/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=RETRACTION by David Gutierrez Opens On Theatre Row |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/RETRACTIONby-DavidGutierrez-Opens-On-Theatre-Row-20220428 |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603023416/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/RETRACTIONby-DavidGutierrez-Opens-On-Theatre-Row-20220428 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cope |first=Liz |date=May 7, 2022 |title=A lawyer takes to the stage to state his case. |url=https://artsindependent.com/2022/05/07/a-laywer-takes-to-the-stage-to-styate-his-case/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Arts Independent |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603023417/https://artsindependent.com/2022/05/07/a-laywer-takes-to-the-stage-to-styate-his-case/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cope |first=Liz |date=April 27, 2022 |title=RETRACTION by David Gutierrez: What are the costs behind seeking the "truth?" |url=https://artsindependent.com/2022/04/27/retraction-by-david-gutierrez-what-are-the-costs-behind-seeking-the-truth/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Arts Independent |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518164623/https://artsindependent.com/2022/04/27/retraction-by-david-gutierrez-what-are-the-costs-behind-seeking-the-truth/ |url-status=live }}

Publisher Steve DeLuca said the international editions typically include 50 to 80 percent of the American version of the magazine, translated in their own languages, and supplemented with local content.{{cite web |date=November 28, 2005 |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |title=Rolling Stone Is Going 3-D for No. 1,000 (Published 2005) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/business/rolling-stone-is-going-3d-for-no-1000.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206103005/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/business/rolling-stone-is-going-3d-for-no-1000.html |url-status=live }} Since PMC took over full ownership of the magazine, Rolling Stone is published in 15 territories around the world, with the introduction of Rolling Stone UK in September 2021 and Rolling Stone Africa in July 2024, the latest to be launched.Rolling Stone UK Issue 001, page 17

• {{vanchor|Rolling Stone Africa|text=Africa}} – Published by Mwankom Group since July 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.pmc.com/news/rolling-stone-launches-rolling-stone-africa-partnering-with-mwankom-group/|title=Rolling Stone Launches Rolling Stone Africa Partnering with MWANKOM Group|work=Penske Media Corporation|date=16 July 2024|accessdate=14 January 2025}} Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Rolling Stone Africa was published monthly under a license agreement with Penske Media Corporation, with a few local articles supplementing the major features from the parent magazine with editors from various countries in Africa like Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Middle East North Africa (MENA) etc.{{cite news|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2482461/media|title=Rolling Stone to expand MENA footprint with new collaboration|work=Arab News|date=25 March 2024|accessdate=14 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/08/01/rollingstone-features-fela-on-cover-officially-launched-in-africa/|title=RollingStone Features Fela on Cover, Officially Launched in Africa|work=This Day|date=1 August 2024|accessdate=14 January 2025|last=Obioha|first=Vanessa}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thestandard.co.zw/standard-style/article/200032633/nyambi-in-key-appointment-at-rolling-stone-africa/|title=Nyambi in key appointment at Rolling Stone Africa|work=The Standard|date=22 September 2024|accessdate=14 January 2025|last=Muleya|first=Khumbulani}}
• {{vanchor|Rolling Stone Argentina|text=Argentina}} – Published by La Nación since April 1998.{{Cite book|last=Donozo|first=Leandro|title=Guía de revistas de música de la Argentina (1829–2007)|year=2009|trans-title=Guide to music magazines in Argentina (1829–2007)|url=https://gourmetmusicalediciones.com/libros/guia-de-revistas-de-musica-de-la-argentina-1829-2007/|language=es|publisher=Gourmet Musical Ediciones|isbn=978-987-22664-6-2|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124025739/https://gourmetmusicalediciones.com/libros/guia-de-revistas-de-musica-de-la-argentina-1829-2007/|url-status=live}} This edition also circulates in Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. In 2007 it celebrated its ninth year by publishing Rolling Stone Argentina{{'}}s The 100 Greatest Albums of National Rock.{{cite magazine|language=es |date=June 2013|title=Los 100 mejores discos del rock nacional|magazine=Rolling Stone Argentina|publisher=S.A. La Nación|isbn=9789871690442}}
• Australia – Rolling Stone Australia began as a supplement in 1969 in Revolution magazine. It became a full title in 1971 published by Phillip Frazer. It was published by Silvertongues from 1974 to 1987 and by nextmedia Pty Ltd, Sydney until 2008. Notable editors and contributors include Phillip Frazer, Alistair Jones, Paul and Jane Gardiner, Toby Creswell, Clinton Walker and Kathy Bail. It was the longest running international edition but closed in January 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://a2noise.com/rolling-stone-australia-close/|title=Rolling Stone Australia To Close|last=Wise|first=Brian|date=January 31, 2018|website=Addicted to Noise|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210105121/http://a2noise.com/rolling-stone-australia-close/|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone Australia relaunched in 2020.{{cite magazine |title=Rolling Stone Set to Launch New Australian Edition |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stone-australia-edition-launch-913505/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118114704/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stone-australia-edition-launch-913505/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=May 25, 2020 |title=Bringing back Rock 'n' Roll with the new Rolling Stone Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drawingroom/bringing-back-rock-n-roll-with-the-new-rolling-stone-australia/12273478 |website=ABC Radio National |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006145523/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drawingroom/bringing-back-rock-n-roll-with-the-new-rolling-stone-australia/12273478 |url-status=live }}
• Canada – Published in Canada since the late 1970s or early 1980s.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
• China – The original Rolling Stone for mainland China was published by the One Media Group of Hong Kong.{{Cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/149746.htm|title=Rolling Stone Magazine to Roll out Next Year|website=China.org.cn|date=November 24, 2005|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316161445/http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/149746.htm|url-status=live}} The magazine was in Chinese with translated articles and local content. It halted publication after one year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-30-fg-stone30-story.html|title=Rolling Stone Silenced in China|website=Los Angeles Times|first=Mark|last=Magnier|date=March 30, 2006|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211073449/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-30-fg-stone30-story.html|url-status=live}} From January 2021, a new Chinese-language Rolling Stone magazine started to be published in China.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
• Croatia – Published from 2013{{Cite web|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2013/10/22/the-rolling-stone-magazine-gets-croatian-edition/|website=Balkan Insight|title=Rolling Stone Magazine Launches Croatian Edition|first=Boris|last=Pavelic|date=October 22, 2013|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=January 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124013116/https://balkaninsight.com/2013/10/22/the-rolling-stone-magazine-gets-croatian-edition/|url-status=live}} to 2015 by S3 Mediji. This edition also circulates in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.{{Cite web|url=https://ravnododna.com/rolling-stone-hrvatska-i-sluzbeno-vise-ne-postoji/|title=Rolling Stone Hrvatska i službeno više ne postoji|trans-title=Rolling Stone Croatia officially no longer exists|language=hr|date=October 3, 2015|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519020814/https://ravnododna.com/rolling-stone-hrvatska-i-sluzbeno-vise-ne-postoji/|url-status=live}}
• France – Went through multiple breaks and phases published by different companies among which 1633sa publishing house from 2008{{Cite news |last=Philippe |first=Laroque |date=22 March 2008 |title=Le «Rolling Stone» français renaît de ses cendres |trans-title=France's ‘Rolling Stone’ rises from the ashes |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/2008/03/22/04002-20080322ARTFIG00475-le-rolling-stone-francais-renait-de-ses-cendres.php}} to 2016.Currently published by RS France publishing company since 2019.{{Cite web |title=Mentions légales |trans-title=Terms of Use - Legal Information |url=https://www.rollingstone.fr/mentions-legales/ |website=Rolling Stone France}} Initially launched in 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1988/01/17/lancement-de-rolling-stone-en-france_4063208_1819218.html|title=Lancement de " Rolling Stone " en France|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|trans-title=Launch of "Rolling Stone" in France|language=fr|date=January 16, 1988|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410123100/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1988/01/17/lancement-de-rolling-stone-en-france_4063208_1819218.html|url-status=live}}
• Germany – Published since 1994 by Axel Springer AG.{{cite web |title=Rolling Stone is Hiring Australian Staff, 'Ambitious' Expansion Is Coming |url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/rolling-stone-is-hiring-australian-staff-ambitious-expansion-is-coming/ |website=The Industry Observer |date=January 8, 2019 |quote=Rolling Stone International has existing licensee partnerships in Europe (Germany, Italy, France), Asia (Japan) and the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico). |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210001340/https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/rolling-stone-is-hiring-australian-staff-ambitious-expansion-is-coming/ |url-status=live }}
• India – Launched in March 2008 by MW.Com, publisher of Man's World.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rollingstone-india/rolling-stone-india-looks-at-bollywood-and-rock-idUSN2632891220080226|website=Reuters|title=Rolling Stone India looks at Bollywood and rock|first=Michele|last=Gershberg|date=February 26, 2008|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316161534/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rollingstone-india/rolling-stone-india-looks-at-bollywood-and-rock-idUSN2632891220080226|url-status=live}}
• Italy – Published since 1980. After ceasing publication in 1982, it was relaunched in November 2003, first by IXO Publishing, and then by Editrice Quadratum until April 2014. The magazine is currently published by Luciano Bernardini de Pace Editore. It ceased print edition in 2019, moving online.October edition: Fedez and the MTV Digital Days (The C.I.P){{Cite web|url=https://www.primaonline.it/2019/01/11/283101/rolling-stone-solo-online-il-mondo-va-in-questa-direzione-e-bisogna-seguirlo-dice-leditore-luciano-bernardini-de-pace/|title=Rolling Stone solo online: "Il mondo va in questa direzione e bisogna seguirlo", dice l'editore Luciano Bernardini de Pace|date=January 11, 2019|website=Prima Comunicazione|language=it-IT|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106163217/https://www.primaonline.it/2019/01/11/283101/rolling-stone-solo-online-il-mondo-va-in-questa-direzione-e-bisogna-seguirlo-dice-leditore-luciano-bernardini-de-pace/|url-status=live}}
• Japan – Launched in March 2007 by International Luxury Media. Published by {{nihongo|atomixmedia Inc.|株式会社アトミックスメディア|KK atomikkusumedia}} since 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117280156498624331|title=Rolling Stone/Japan|website=The Wall Street Journal|first=Sarah|last=Ellison|date=March 2, 2007|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121213334/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117280156498624331|url-status=live}}
• Korea – Launched in 2020 under a license agreement with Penske Media Corporation.{{cite magazine |date=November 9, 2020 |title='Rolling Stone' to Launch New Korean Edition |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stone-korea-launch-1087039/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126125533/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stone-korea-launch-1087039/ |url-status=live }}
• Mexico – Published by PRISA from November 2002{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2002/11/09/sociedad/1036796412_850215.html|newspaper=El País|title=PRISA lanza la edición mexicana de la revista 'Rolling Stone'|trans-title=PRISA launches Mexican edition of 'Rolling Stone' magazine|language=es|date=November 8, 2002|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502073113/https://elpais.com/diario/2002/11/09/sociedad/1036796412_850215.html|url-status=live}} to May 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2009/05/14/espectaculos/a10n3esp|website=La Jornada|title=Cierran la revista Rolling Stone México|trans-title=Rolling Stone Mexico magazine closed|language=es|first=Tania|last=Molina Ramírez|date=May 14, 2009|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512032126/https://www.jornada.com.mx/2009/05/14/espectaculos/a10n3esp|url-status=live}} Published from June 2009 by Editorial Televisa (subsidiary of Televisa) under license.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
• Middle East – Published in Dubai by HGW Media since November 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.albawaba.com/dubai-media-city-based-hgw-media-announces-launch-rolling-stone-middle-east-magazine|website=Al Bawaba|title=Dubai Media City-based HGW Media announces launch of Rolling Stone Middle East Magazine|date=December 26, 2010|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506000830/https://www.albawaba.com/dubai-media-city-based-hgw-media-announces-launch-rolling-stone-middle-east-magazine|url-status=live}}
• Philippines – Rolling Stone Philippines was launched in December 2024 by Modern Media Group.{{Cite news |last=Felipe |first=MJ |date=2024-12-13 |title=Rolling Stone Philippines is officially live! |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2024/12/13/rolling-stone-philippines-is-officially-live-1123 |access-date=2025-01-14 |work=ABS-CBN News}}
• South Africa – Published since November 2011 by 3i Publishing.{{Cite web|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/rolling-stone-launches-in-south-africa-5414860/|title=Rolling Stone Launches in South Africa|website=Women's Wear Daily|first=Bambina|last=Wise Olivares|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505230035/https://wwd.com/business-news/media/rolling-stone-launches-in-south-africa-5414860/|url-status=live}}
• Turkey – Published since June 2006 by GD Gazete Dergi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/kultur/simdi-turkiyede-herkes-rolling-stoneluk-olabilir-783296/|website=Radikal|title=Şimdi Türkiye'de herkes Rolling Stone'luk olabilir|trans-title=Now everyone can 'Rolling Stone' in Turkey|language=tr|first=Müjde|last=Yazici|date=June 15, 2006|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231185308/http://www.radikal.com.tr/kultur/simdi-turkiyede-herkes-rolling-stoneluk-olabilir-783296/|url-status=live}}
• United Kingdom – Published under the title Friends of Rolling Stone, later shortened to Friends and eventually Frendz, from 1969 to 1972.{{cite web |title=Philm Freax: Days in the Life of Friends/Frendz Magazine: Alan Marcuson |url=https://www.ibiblio.org/mal/MO/philm/friends/alan.html |website=www.ibiblio.org |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302145921/https://www.ibiblio.org/mal/MO/philm/friends/alan.html |url-status=live }} In September 2021, issue 001 of the bi-monthly 180-page British edition, priced at £6.95, was published under the title Rolling Stone UK, where it joined the American edition of Rolling Stone on the shelves of British newsagents.

• Brazil – Published in Brazil from October 2006 to May 2018 by Spring Comunicações,{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Rolling Stone Brasil suspende revista impressa |trans-title=Rolling Stone Brasil suspends printed magazine |url=https://www.meioemensagem.com.br/home/ultimas-noticias/2018/05/30/rolling-stone-brasil-suspende-revista-impressa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509075447/https://www.meioemensagem.com.br/home/ultimas-noticias/2018/05/30/rolling-stone-brasil-suspende-revista-impressa.html |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=meio&mensagem |language=pt-br}} and currently owned by Grupo Perfil.{{cite magazine |title=Rolling Stone |url=https://rollingstone.uol.com.br/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=pt-br |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413034713/https://rollingstone.uol.com.br/ |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021}} In 1972, a pirated Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone was created; this pirated edition was not officially recognized by the American publication.{{cite web |last1=Pinto |first1=Rodrigo |date=August 21, 2006 |title=Depois de edição pirata, 'Rolling Stone' ganha versão brasileira oficial |url=http://oglobo.globo.com/cultura/mat/2006/08/21/285351289.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415072234/http://oglobo.globo.com/cultura/mat/2006/08/21/285351289.asp |archive-date=April 15, 2008 |website=O Globo |language=pt |quote=Mesmo sem existir oficialmente no Brasil, a "Rolling Stone" fez tanto sucesso que mereceu – como outros produtos estrangeiros muito cobiçados – uma versão pirata, em 1972 |trans-quote=Even though it did not officially exist in Brazil, "Rolling Stone" was so successful that it deserved – like other highly coveted foreign products – a pirated version, in 1972}}
• Bulgaria – Published in Bulgaria from November 2009 to August 2011 by Sivir Publications.{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2011 |title=Rolling Stone Magazine Fails to Survive in Bulgaria |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/131254/Rolling+Stone+Magazine+Fails+to+Survive+in+Bulgaria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316161450/https://www.novinite.com/articles/131254/Rolling+Stone+Magazine+Fails+to+Survive+in+Bulgaria |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=Novinite}}
• Chile – Published from May 2003 to December 2005 by Edu Comunicaciones, and from January 2006 to December 2011 by {{lang|es|El Mercurio}}.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2011 |title=Rolling Stone Chile dejará de circular |trans-title=Rolling Stone Chile will stop circulation |url=https://www.cooperativa.cl/rolling-stone-chile-dejara-de-circular/prontus_nots/2011-12-16/105621.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518100731/https://www.cooperativa.cl/rolling-stone-chile-dejara-de-circular/prontus_nots/2011-12-16/105621.html |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=Cooperativa.cl |language=es}}
• Indonesia – Published from June 2005 to January 2018 by PT a&e Media.{{cite web |date=January 1, 2018 |title=Rolling Stone Indonesia officially shuts down |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/01/01/rolling-stone-indonesia-officially-shuts-down.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064140/http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/01/01/rolling-stone-indonesia-officially-shuts-down.html |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=The Jakarta Post}}
• Russia – Published from 2004 until 2022 by Motor Media.{{Cite journal |last=Воронцов |first=Константин |date=March 15, 2004 |title=Rolling Stone докатился до России |trans-title=Rolling Stone came to Russia |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/457475 |url-status=live |journal=Kommersant |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213539/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/457475 |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=February 28, 2021}}
• Spain – Published by PROGRESA (subsidiary of PRISA) in Madrid from 1999 to 2015.{{Cite web |last=Fernández |first=Eduardo |date=June 6, 2015 |title='Rolling Stone' toca sus últimas notas en España |trans-title='Rolling Stone' plays its last notes in Spain |url=https://www.elmundo.es/television/2015/06/06/5572f4e222601d13578b4573.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522014307/https://www.elmundo.es/television/2015/06/06/5572f4e222601d13578b4573.html |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=El Mundo |language=es}}

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

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Green |first1=Robin |author1-link=Robin Green |title=The Only Girl: My Life and Times on the Masthead of Rolling Stone |date=August 21, 2018 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-316-44005-9 |language=en |ref=none}} The Only Girl (book)
• {{cite book |last1=Hagan |first1=Joe |title=Sticky Fingers: The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine |date=October 24, 2017 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-101-87438-7 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last1=Macadams |first1=Lewis |title=Jann Wenner and His Times |date=October 2007 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-224-07349-3 |language=en |ref=none}}
• {{cite book |last=Ragen |first=Brian Abel |date=2002 |title=Tom Wolfe: A Critical Companion |location=Westport, Connecticut |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=0-313-31383-0}}
• {{cite book |last1=Wenner |first1=Jann S. |title=Like a Rolling Stone: A Memoir |date=September 13, 2022 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-316-41539-2 |language=en |ref=none}}

• {{Cite news |last1=Ember |first1=Sydney |title=Rolling Stone, Once a Counterculture Bible, Will Be Put Up for Sale |work=The New York Times |date=September 17, 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/17/business/rolling-stone-magazine-sale.html |issn=0362-4331}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last =Bashe|editor1-first=Patricia R.|editor2-last= George-Warren|editor2-first= Holly |title= The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll |url =https://archive.org/details/rollingstoneency00holl|url-access =registration|publisher= Fireside |location=New York|isbn=0-7432-9201-4|editor3-last=Pareles|editor3-first=Jon|year= 2005|orig-year= 1983}}
• {{cite book |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide|editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first= Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian |year=2004 |orig-year=1979, 1983, 1992|publisher= Simon & Schuster|location= New York|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide }}
• {{cite book |title= The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll|last= Miller|first= Jim|year= 1980|orig-year=1976|publisher= Random House|location= New York|isbn=0-394-51322-3}}
• {{cite book |title= Rolling Stone Cover to Cover – the First 40 Years: Searchable Digital Archive-Every Page, Every Issue|year= 2007|publisher= Bondi Digital Pub|location= Renton, WA|isbn= 978-0-9795261-0-7}}
• {{cite book |title= The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide|url= https://archive.org/details/rollingstonejazz00swen|url-access= registration|last= Swenson|first=John |year=1985 |publisher=Rolling Stone|location= New York|isbn= 0-394-72643-X}}

{{sister project links|d=Q33511|n=no|b=no|wikt=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|mw=no|m=no|species=no|commons=Category:Rolling Stone}}

• {{Official website|https://www.rollingstone.com/}}
• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231121000/http://www.glixel.com/ Glixel.com |date=December 31, 2016}}

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