The Rolling Stone Collection span the years 1956 to 1993, with the bulk of the records dating between 1966 and 1989. The collection is organized into four series: artist files; artist, reference and record company files; copy and research files; and editorial files. The two series of artist files consist of newspaper and magazine clippings on artists, their performances, or related subjects. While similar in content, these two series were acquired as distinct sets of files. The copy and research files comprise the majority of the materials in the collection. These files include print copy, draft manuscripts, newspaper and magazine clippings, research notes, interview transcripts, and audio interviews. The editorial files series contains material relating to a selection of Rolling Stone writers, such as David Felton and Chet Flippo, as well as memos and other paperwork produced by various editors. Please note that the collection does not contain materials from the earliest days of the magazine; any file dated earlier than 1974 likely contains newspaper clippings or publicity materials.
Biography / Administrative History
Rolling Stone magazine was founded in 1967 by Jann Wenner. It is a New York-based magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular coverage, and it is published monthly. In 2017 the magazine was sold to Penske Media with Wenner remaining as its editorial director.
Notes
Processing Information: Processed by Liz Campion, Andria Hoy, Patricia McEldowney, Justin Seidler, and Lee Wittenstein, interns; Patty Nagel, Ann Daley Smerkar, Jeanette Struckley, and John Struckley, volunteers; Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist; and Anastasia Karel, Archivist. Last updated March 10, 2015, and revised with additional information on October 19, 2018. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Acquisition Note: The Rolling Stone Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Inc. as a gift from Rolling Stone LLC on December 20, 2010.
Citation: [Identification of Item], Rolling Stone Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Separated Materials: Some items are on exhibit. These items are noted at the series and file levels. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit for additional information.
Exhibition History: August 2018-January 2019, Woody Guthrie Center, Tulsa, OK: Mellencamp.
May 2019-December 2020, Traveling Exhibit: Louder than Words.
April 2019-July 2020, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: Woodstock at 50.
October 2024-September 2025, facsimile on exhibit, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: 2024 Inductees Exhibit.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Some of the materials in the collection are confidential and are, therefore, RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials will have to be created prior to use. Some of the audiovisual materials in the series are on defunct media formats and, therefore, are RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials will have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
