How Jann Wenner Turned $7,500 Into the Foundation of Rolling Stone

Jann Simon Wenner, born on January 7, 1946, is an American businessman and media figure widely recognized for his pivotal role in co-founding *Rolling Stone* magazine in 1967. His career extends beyond this iconic publication, encompassing the establishment of other magazines and a significant influence on popular culture. Wenner's journey began with an early involvement in the Free Speech Movement during his time at the University of California,

Berkeley, setting a precedent for his later ventures in media that would often intersect with social and political commentary. His entrepreneurial spirit and vision shaped a significant portion of the music and cultural journalism landscape for decades.

The Genesis of Rolling Stone

In 1967, Jann Wenner, with the assistance of his mentor, San Francisco Chronicle jazz critic Ralph J. Gleason, embarked on the ambitious project of founding *Rolling Stone* magazine in San Francisco. Gleason, who was a contributing editor at *Ramparts*, a high-circulation muckraker where Wenner also worked on a spinoff newspaper, provided crucial guidance. To launch the magazine, Wenner secured a loan of US$7,500, an amount equivalent to approximately $72,418 in 2025, from family members and the family of his soon-to-be wife, Jane Schindelheim. This initial capital was the foundation for what would become one of the most influential popular culture magazines.

*Rolling Stone* quickly became a platform for emerging writers and photographers. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Wenner played an integral role in popularizing talents such as Hunter S. Thompson, Ben Fong-Torres, Paul Nelson, Greil Marcus, Dave Marsh, Grover Lewis, Timothy Crouse, Timothy Ferris, Joe Klein, Cameron Crowe, Joe Eszterhas, and P.J. O'Rourke. He also discovered photographer Annie Leibovitz when she was a 21-year-old student at the San Francisco Art Institute. Many of these individuals, including Crowe, credit Wenner with providing them with their biggest career breaks. Even acclaimed author Tom Wolfe acknowledged Wenner's influence, stating that serializing his first novel, *The Bonfire of the Vanities*, in *Rolling Stone* was crucial to its completion, as Wenner was "the only editor crazy enough to do that."

Evolution and Expansion of the Wenner Media Empire

In 1977, *Rolling Stone* underwent a significant relocation, shifting its base of operations from San Francisco to New York City. The magazine experienced some circulation dips, notably in the late 1970s and early 1980s due to a slow response to the emergence of punk rock, and again in the 1990s when it lost ground to *Spin* and *Blender* in covering hip hop. To revitalize the flagship magazine, Wenner hired former *FHM* editor Ed Needham, who was later replaced by Will Dana. By 2006, these efforts had paid off, with *Rolling Stone*'s circulation reaching an all-time high of 1.5 million copies sold every two weeks. In May 2006, the magazine celebrated its 1,000th edition with a holographic, 3-D cover inspired by The Beatles' *Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band* album cover.

Beyond *Rolling Stone*, Wenner's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found other publications. In 1977, he established *Outside* magazine, where William Randolph Hearst III and Jack Ford both worked before Wenner sold it a year later. He also briefly managed *Look* magazine and, in 1993, launched *Family Life*. His media acquisitions continued in 1985 when he bought a share in *Us Weekly*, followed by a joint purchase of the magazine with The Walt Disney Company the following year. *Us Weekly* transitioned from a monthly to a weekly publication in 2000, and in August 2006, Wenner bought out Disney's share, consolidating 100% ownership. In September 2016, Wenner began the process of selling a 49% stake in *Rolling Stone* to Singaporean company BandLab Technologies, with the understanding that the new investor would have no direct involvement in the magazine's editorial content. In October 2016, he launched Glixel, a video games-based website. By September 2017, Wenner Media announced the sale of the remaining 51% of *Rolling Stone*, which was acquired by Penske Media Corporation, who later also bought the stake from BandLab.

Wenner's Role as an Interviewer and Political Contributor

Jann Wenner was not just a publisher; he was also actively involved in the editorial content of *Rolling Stone*, particularly in conducting and writing many of the magazine's renowned "Rolling Stone Interviews." His interview subjects included prominent political figures such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama during their election campaigns. In November 2005, he conducted an interview with U2 rock star Bono, which delved into both music and politics. This particular interview with Bono earned Wenner a National Magazine Award nomination, highlighting his skill as an interviewer and his ability to engage with influential personalities across different fields. Wenner's contributions extended to political donations, with approximately US$63,000 (equivalent to $100,615 in 2025) contributed to Democratic candidates and liberal organizations between 2004 and 2006. His memoir, *Like a Rolling Stone*, was published in 2022 by Little, Brown and Company, offering his personal account of his life and career.