Rolling Stone: The Complete Covers (A Rolling Stone Press Book)

From Mick Jagger, who holds the record for most appearances on the cover, to Madonna, Beck, Jewel, and the Spice Girls, this one provocative volume features all 728 covers from "Rolling Stone", created by Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Francesco Scavullo, Matt Groening, Garry Trudeau, and other popular and innovative photographers and illustrators over the past 30 years. Full color.

YA-A highly enjoyable romp down the memory lane of popular culture. Stunning reproductions of 773 of the magazine's covers, beginning with the first issue released in November 1967 through November 1997, highlight a variety of entertainment-industry icons from Mick Jagger (19 covers) to the Incredible Hulk (only one, so far). Within these pages readers are introduced to the early work of Annie Leibovitz, who cut her professional teeth at the publication. Other top-notch photographers, including Francesco Scavullo, Herb Ritts, and Richard Avedon, provide a study in modern portraiture. Magazine headlines and highlighted features offer an array of political and social issues spanning the past 30 years and present an impromptu history lesson. The accompanying text allows readers to follow the growth and development of a successful periodical from its humble beginnings to its current status as a journalistic giant. Young adults will enjoy this informative and quintessentially hip overview of the music and entertainment industry in the United States from the days of peace, love, and flower children to the present.
Debra Shumate, Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This collection offers what it advertises, 30 years of Rolling Stone covers, plus pithy insights and glib vignettes. The covers tell as much about rock history as the commentary from the expected cast of RS scribes and hangers-on. Very early covers were in black-and-white, wrapping a newsprint tabloid featuring articles and reviews redolent of smug, anticommercial hipness. Over time, the attitude eroded, and color covers featured fewer scruffy rockers and more magnificently quaffed celebrities du jour. In short, the covers reflect the drift of RS's focus from music to film, TV, politics, . . . whatever. And still, the "book" is mostly rock 'n' roll. Where else can one see Janet Jackson and Jennifer Anniston naked and Bill Clinton and Woody Allen clothed (good editorial decisions, those), always very well photographed? Buy this for the flash and the history, and ignore anything Pete Townshend or Jann Wenner has to say in it. Aging baby boomers will probably like it most, but it should appeal to pop fans of all ages. Mike Tribby