Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Mick Jagger's 1981 Letter To Rolling Stone Magazine's Jann Wenner
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 20, 2012
Modified Sep 20, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 20, 2012
Modified Sep 20, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In 1981, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger had a letter typed out (right? he didn't type it himself) to Rolling Stone magazine's Jann Wenner, which read: "In return for my consent to allow you to register the name 'Rolling Stone' what do you offer as far as cover stories, special small ad rates and summer clothes coverage?"
According to legend, the band and the magazine both took their names from the Muddy Waters song "Rolling Stone," which the magazine has also claimed in the past. But while there's no dispute about the origin of the band's name, some believe the magazine took their name as a nod to the group. One person even claims Jagger was on the masthead in the early days. Since early rock n' roll facts are hard to track down and confirm (see: sharks), we'll just let the legends circulate while we stare at this beautifully typed, humorous letter.
Tagged
band
jann wenner
letter
magazine
poor bob dylan
rolling stone
the rolling stones
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .