“Rolling Stone” Giveth, And “Rolling Stone” Taketh Away

Brian Raftery | December 20, 2006 8:56 am
coverrs.jpg

We hear it all the time: “Why don’t you jackanapes ever say anything nice about Rolling Stone?” (actually, this only happens once every two weeks, and it’s usually from some anonymous email account named janncancook@rollingstone.com). But after we read the new issue’s profile of the late cultural critic Paul Nelson–a deeply reported, heartbreaking long-form obit that’s one of the best things the magazine’s printed all year–we figured we’d enthusiastically steer you toward it.

As it turns out, though, the story is not on the magazine’s website. YouTube clips of screaming infants? Yep, they have that. Some stupid-ass poll about magic wands? That’s there, too. But no Nelson feature. Way to prioritize, RS.

And so we say, begrudgingly: Pick up the new RS, and read the Nelson feature. It’s worth wading through the half-dozen advertorials and pictures of scantily clad reality-show contestants. In the meantime, Nelson’s 2000 interview with rockcritics.com is below:

Whatever Happened to Paul Nelson? [Rockcritics.com]