The Rolling Stone interview was the centerpiece of the most important American magazine of its generation. It was - and continues to be today - the imprimatur of true cultural importance, the place where our heroes, idols and stars unveil their great selves as nowhere else. Indeed, Lennon, Dylan, Clapton, Springsteen, Bono, Eminem, Eastwood, Nicholson and countless others revealed the secrets behind their art and their lives in Rolling Stone's pages.Now, for the first time ever, the very best interviews from the magazine's remarkable 40-year history have been collected in a single volume. All of the biggest and most important musicians, writers, political figures and directors are here - completely unafraid to bare their souls and comment candidly on the issues of their day. THE ROLLING STONE INTERVIEWS is more than a collection; it's a marvellous cultural history.

Jann Wenner is the founder, owner and editor of Rolling Stone magazine. He is also the head of Wenner Media, which includes such magazines as US Weekly and Men's Journal. He lives in Manhattan.

Joe Levy is the Executive Editor of Rolling Stone.