Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J. Gleason. Wenner borrowed $7,500 from his family and in-laws to cover startup costs, and the first issue appeared on November 9, 1967, with John Lennon in costume on the cover. The magazine came in a tabloid-sized pulp newsprint format, cost 25 cents, and was published bi-weekly. Its lead article covered the Monterey International Pop Festival. Early editor Jon Carroll noted the magazine never looked sloppy, unlike some underground papers of the time. Critic Greil Marcus observed that Wenner disliked the prose, the look, and the people of the underground press, and never wanted to be considered part of it.

The brand expanded into digital platforms, international editions, and events. Under Penske Media Corporation ownership, Rolling Stone shifted to monthly publication with a larger page format and heavier paper stock. The magazine reaches about 60 million people monthly across all platforms and publishes over 100 pieces of content daily. Its print circulation stood at 423,377 as of June 2023. The brand has faced controversies over political coverage, including a 2006 piece calling George W. Bush the worst president in history and a 2017 cover of Justin Trudeau with the headline Why can't he be our president? [edit]