I grew up in a black household where we listened to the Black Classics, so thankfully, although I did occasionally read Rolling Stone for its coverage of white artists like Jagger and Bowie, it wasnt the end all and be all of my knowledge about the different musical genres I liked (and I loved all of them!)

Since I didn't pay close attention to the magazine, I was completely unaware of Jann Wenner, and all of his gatekeeping, nor was I aware of how much influence that he and his magazine had over the inductees to the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. (I just attributed the lack of black women to the usual racism in the music industry.) But looking back on things I didn't wonder why none of the Black artists I loved in the 80s (Janet Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder) had never been featured in it, even at the height of their popularity.

So this entire event is nothing but new news to me.