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In August of 2002, I was flown to Alpine Valley, Wisconsin to cover the long-awaited Grateful Dead reunion concerts (8/3 – 8/4) for publication in Rolling Stone magazine. The piece was delivered on time and I was paid accordingly, however, the article has yet to see the light of day – some four months later! The editorial staff offered a number of excuses for delay – most made sense while some were obvious attempts at staling the article, which was admittedly somewhat “controversial.”
Rolling Stone magazine has always stood for journalistic integrity and freedom of speech. For them to cave in to pressure from both the band and Jerry’s estate is beyond me. The article is as much about American society and our ever-changing value system as it is about the Grateful Dead. I felt I gave the Dead and their fans a fair and accurate account of what transpired at Alpine Valley. I think that Rolling Stone magazine should at least let the fans decide for themselves.
After days of fruitless negotiations and unreturned calls, my business manager has advised me that he feels the article has been “killed.” While people in my camp think I should just accept the “kill fee” and move on, I beg to differ. My writing has never been about the money – it’s always been about the magic and the music. I have put my reputation on the line with this article and will not standby idle while my career is “edited” out of existence. I am now left with no other options than the following:
Beginning 4:00pm – PST - Monday, the 2nd of December 2002, I, Brett Meisner, have now begun a strict and monitored “Hunger Strike” in protest of the decision by Rolling Stone Magazine to exclude my article from their publication. Until the day arrives that the said article appears in print within the pages of Rolling Stone magazine, my daily diet will consist solely of bottled water and one multi-vitamin tablet. This is not something I enter into lightly. This is a very serious matter to me, one that I will see through until justice is served – with or without my doctor’s consent.
If you don’t stand for something – you’ll fall for anything!
Brett Meisner
12/02/02
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