Rolling Stone Alienates Loyal Readers with Fresh, Relevant Cover

Rolling Stone has been known for pushing the envelope with some of its covers over the years (Kanye West posing as Jesus, a sexed-up 17-year-old Britney Spears), but the upcoming issue may offer the most controversial cover in the magazine's history.  Sneak a peek after the jump.

Yes, that's 19-year-old Zac Efron, star of star of High School Musical, Hairspray, and the upcoming High School Musical 2, in all his hunky, young, clean-cut goodness.  This, of course, infuriates long-time readers of Rolling Stone (primarily aging Baby Boomers who think they're still hip and edgy).

There's a smackdown between 50-year-old men and 14-year-old girls going on in the comments section over at the RS website right now.  I can't blame Rolling Stone for trying this (High School Musical and Efron in particular are big news right now), and I can't blame their long-time readers for being outraged (because they're probably feeling kind of old and irrelevant after seeing this).  But the result -- 14-year-old girls reading Rolling Stone for the first time, 50-year-old men reading this issue and getting acquainted with their daughters' heartthrob -- could be incredible.  Or this could just be the issue that most subscribers toss directly into the recycling.

via Idolator.

Comments

[Sweetney]

i like the fact that they clearly made a point of putting the headline "PUNK ROCK FIGHT CLUB" just below the heartthrob text.("SEE? WE'RE STILL EDGY!!!")

[Amanda]

31-yr-old Old Lady over here is silently wondering, "What the hell is High School Musical?"

Don't feel bad, 50-yr-old men!

[Izzy]

It reminds me of Tiger Beat. Well, except for the sexy look-at-my-happy-trail pose, of course.

I read RS online but I can't remember the last time I bought an issue. I think it was the Britney cover that finally did it.

[missbanshee]

There is a constantly repeating "High School Musical" float at Disney World. My other 30-something companions and I would flee in terror when it came near.

[McGillicuddyMB]

Uhh... 23 year-old over here... What the hell is High School Musical, and why should anyone over the age of 17 care?

[Sweetney]

good question, mcgillicuddymb.

answer? i believe its some kind of teen movie musical about high school? and as for why you should care? umm, you shouldn't. but you *should* be afraid, BE VERY AFRAID.

[Sils]

I have no idea what that is, but I feel really, really dirty right now.

Really dirty. Like I need to wash myself in bleach.

[Jennelou]

Um, I would rather look at that dude anytime than trashy Britney.

Bet the 50 year old dudes weren't complaining THEN.

Not that I have ever heard of this dude, but come on, it is ONE issue.

Get a life people! If you don't like it, here is a novel idea...DON'T LOOK.

[Brittany]

i enjoyed reading the comments. a bunch of heartfelt opinions surrounded by "omg lolz hes so hottt!!! yumm"

though one of the comments proclamied that zac efrons the one many 11-year-old girls pretend to have orgasms with.

hmmmmmm

[birdgal]

High School Musical aside (yeah, no idea either), I think this pose is just....odd. I know it's an excuse to show his abs/happy trail, but it does nothing for me. 'Oh hai! I'm Zac Efron and I'm wearing this ratty old undershirt. You want me to take it off? Oooh baby, I won't just take it off, I'll lift it up a little and scratch myself first! Can't get any more sexay than that!'

[Carrisa]

I felt so dirty for crushing on him while watching Hairspray. My sister even kept telling me I was a pedophile. But then I googled him as soon as I got home and was pleased to find him 19 and not um.. 16.

He's hot.

[Amberina]

Highschool musical is awesome and Highly addicting. It is a cheesy disney movie so View at your own risk. (You will want to watch over and over again) I also believe the sound track got nominated for a Grammy.

[Suzy Q]

Holy shit, Brittany! Eleven-year-old girls are learning how to fake orgasms?! There's something (many somethings) so very WRONG about that.

And, could this guy's hair be any weirder? Nice arms, though.

[Sils]

Carissa, I'm with you... I mean, really, men didn't apologize when they had an online countdown to the Olsen Twins' 18th birthday.

I do feel slightly dirty though, hence the bleach comment. Then again, my actual boyfriend is 21, so...

[BAngieB]

He always looks so done up. Did young guys wear that much makeup back my day? Surely not.

[rockle]

well ... he's a cutie. and he's more than half my age, so i don't feel like such a dirty pervert for thinking that, either.

[Zoot]

I personally LOVE it because A) LOVE HSM and B)LOVE Hairspray so seeing him on the cover makes me happy.

And yes, I feel dirty.