Rolling Stone magazine will turn 50 years old this November. To celebrate the milestone, the music and pop culture publication is planning a three-hour television special which will air live from New York City early next year on ABC. Rolling Stone 50 will feature live performances, short films, celebrity appearances and much more.
The show, which will premiere Wednesday, February 7, will take a look at the impact Rolling Stone has had as an outlet for the coverage of music, film, TV, politics and many other cultural topics. The broadcast will include unique onstage collaborations and other special moments, while showcasing highlights of the publication’s 50-year history. It’s not known yet which entertainers will be participating, but Rolling Stone founder and editor Jann Wenner and his son Gus are among the special’s executive producers.
Meanwhile, a new book has just been published. The introduction to 50 Years of Rolling Stone: The Music, Politics and People That Changed Our Culture was written by Wenner. Organised by decade, the book contains captivating images from photographers such as Annie Leibovitz and Mark Seliger. Among the famous subjects is Elton, who is wearing glasses spelling out his name, in an extreme close-up.
Meanwhile, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is hosting a new exhibit called Rolling Stone/50 Years, which draws upon the magazine’s vast archive, as well as interviews with people featured within its pages and on its covers. The show occupies the top three floors (4-6) of the museum.
The display runs through November.
