Shocking Upheaval: Legendary Rolling Stone Co-Founder Ousted from Rock Hall Over Incendiary Remarks

Jann Wenner, the co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine, faced significant backlash for his controversial remarks about female and Black musicians in an interview with the New York Times. Consequently, he has been ousted from the board of directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, as confirmed by Joel Peresman, the foundation's president and chief executive, in a statement to the New York Times on Saturday.

CNN has contacted the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a statement.

Wenner discussed his upcoming book called "The Masters" in an interview with the Times. The book includes interviews he conducted with legendary artists like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and more during his time leading Rolling Stone.

During the interview, he faced backlash for his choice to exclude interviews with women and Black artists, with many criticizing his remarks on the subject.

According to him, the selection criteria for interviewees were based on his personal interest and admiration for them. He further explained that he did not find any of the women to be as articulate as he desired on an intellectual level.

He continued, "Stevie Wonder, a musical genius, isn't he? I guess it's a mistake to use such a broad term like 'masters.' Perhaps Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield would be more fitting examples? It seems they didn't express themselves at that same exceptional level."

"For the sake of public relations, I probably should have included one Black artist and one woman artist who didn't meet that historical standard, just to avoid this type of criticism," he conveyed to the outlet. "Maybe I'm old-fashioned and I couldn't care less, or something. Looking back, I wish I could have interviewed Marvin Gaye. Perhaps he would have been the one. Maybe if Otis Redding had lived, he could have been the one."

On Saturday, Wenner issued a statement through Little, Brown and Company, the publisher of "The Masters," expressing regret for his comments in The New York Times interview. He apologized for downplaying the contributions, talent, and influence of Black and women artists.

In the statement, Wenner clarified that "The Masters" is a compilation of interviews that he believed best represented the impact of rock n roll within his personal sphere. He acknowledged that it did not encompass the entirety of music and its diverse origins, but rather focused on significant moments in his career and interviews that showcased his broad experiences. Wenner emphasized that these interviews do not reflect his admiration and respect for the countless iconic and groundbreaking artists, whose music and ideas he deeply values and will continue to celebrate and promote throughout his life.

He acknowledged that his choice of words was inflammatory and offered a sincere apology, fully accepting the consequences of his actions.

CNN has contacted Little, Brown and Company for a statement.

In 1967, Wenner joined forces with music critic Ralph J. Gleason to establish Rolling Stone magazine. He decided to sell the iconic rock magazine in 2017. Wenner personally gained recognition when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Additionally, he is one of the co-founders of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.

"The Masters" will be released on September 26.