HD by design
Batman Mysteries
The Only Human Superhero
Tortured, violent, complicated - why we can't let go of the Dark Knight.
By Jonathan Lethem
My two-year -old has a favourite superhero: Batman. He’s firm on this, though he’s never read a Batman comic, nor seen a Batman movie. How does he know? He was given a Batman lunchbox, despite that, being two, he has no need of a lunchbox. He was given this Batman lunchbox to offset his older brother’s being given a lunchbox featuring some other icon. Why did I select the Batman lunchbox? Impulsively. Perhaps it was some unconscious gesture. The first superhero I loved was Batman. The first drawing I recall attempting was a drawing of Batman.
John Mayer
John Mayer's Regrets
His big mouth nearly ruined his career. Now, in his first major interview in two years, he swears he’s a changed man.
By Josh Eells
Photograph by Sam Jones
If you’re a slightly damaged rock star looking to show the world you’ve made a fresh start, you could do a lot worse than Paradise Valley. An absurdly picturesque corner of Montana not far from Yellowstone National Park, it’s where stars like Peter Fonda and Jeff Bridges come to decompress. As of recently, it’s also the second home of John Mayer, who traded paparazzi and bottle service for a big stone-and-wood cabin on a six-hectare spread on the banks of the Yellowstone River, with a Land Rover in the driveway and a recording studio at the top of the hill.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys' Last Wave
After decades of acrimony and lawsuits, the surviving Beach Boys are on stage together. Inside rock’s unlikeliest, uneasiest – and most joyful – reunion.
By Jason Fine
Photography by C. Taylor Crothers
"Hey, Wilson,” says Mike Love, placing his hand gently on Brian Wilson’s forearm.“Hey, Love,” says Wilson, brightly, as his cousin slides into the booth next to him. “You were great last night,” Love says. “Animated. Ani-fuckin’-mated. ”Wilson beams. “Gracias, amigo. Our harmonies– we sound good together. ”The Beach Boys’ founding members, Brian Wilson, 69, and Mike Love, 71, are relaxing at a casino steakhouse in Hollywood, Florida.
Rolling Stone Issue 9
Diana Ross
August 11, 1977
This year, the “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” star was honoured with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Grammy award. Flash back 35 years with this classic close encounter with The Supremes singer when she was 33, at the height of her solo career and rocking the cover of ROLLING STONE.
By O'Connell Driscoll
September 1976: The performer's lounge backstage at the AH Manson Theatre in Los Angeles. A windowless basement room with concrete-block walls. The furniture consists of several couches, some tables and quite a few folding chairs, all pushed towards the perimeter, leaving the centre of the room empty. The room is decorated with a number of large standing plants and three or four modest but cheerful floral arrangements.