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Los Angeles, CA – December 16, 2002 - Noted veteran rock journalist Brett Meisner has apparently climbed down from the Malibu tree top perch he had called home for the last five nights as he rethinks his protest strategy against the editors of Rolling Stone Magazine. The highly-publicized protest began nearly two weeks ago in the form of a hunger strike that was cut short when doctors deemed Meisner’s physical condition to be “life threatening.” Meisner was forced into a private Los Angeles celebrity treatment center some six days into the hunger strike only to escape and make his way to the Malibu estate of a close friend and industry peer. Inspired by environmentalist John Quigley’s current tree-sitting protest, Meisner decided to branch out and adapt a similar tone for his dissent. Area residents were at first supportive of Meisner’s cause but were soon discouraged when small crowds began to gather at all hours of the night. To complicate matters, the weather took a turn for the worst and put Meisner to the test. Sometime around noon on December 16th, the heavy rains and poor sanitary conditions forced the acclaimed writer out of the tree and into an awaiting car.
“It wasn’t the rain that bothered me the most,” Meisner said when reached Monday afternoon at his Hollywood Hills home. “It was the damn birds and squirrels. They never stopped making noise and they were always staring at me. Animals are nothing like they show you in the movies and cartoons. Nature sucks.” The protest against the editors of Rolling Stone began when the magazine repeatedly delayed a feature article Meisner had written about the Grateful Dead reunion concerts from August 2002. Although Rolling Stone issued no comment on the matter, it is believed that pressure from surviving Grateful Dead band members forced the magazine to kill the article. “It was time they either put up or shut,” said Brett. “I kept my end of the bargain, but now my reputation is on the line and that affects my pocketbook.” Until a new strategy for his protest can be worked out Meisner say he plans to use a reverse strategy and do as little as possible. “Until Jann Werner or someone at Rolling Stone makes this right with me, I vow that I will not write another rock and roll article,” Meisner stated defiantly. “It’s a boycott basically. And unfortunately, the American public is the loser in this one.”
Meisner who is best known for his acerbic writing style and daring take on the music industry has been writing for many top national music publications for nearly the last 20 years. After relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in May of 2002, Meisner landed a lucrative book deal and has gone to pilot with a TV show, both schedule for early 2003 release. In addition, Meisner owns and operates the highly successful website http://www.rockandrollbadboy.com
Webmaster - rockandrollbadboy.com
12/16/02
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