Who was the first artist to appear on the cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine?

"Rolling Stone" was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner, a former student at the University of California at Berkeley, and Ralph Gleason, a jazz critic for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. The first issue appeared on Nov. 9, 1967, with John Lennon on the cover. The magazine effectively combined passion and professionalism, using both proper English and “street language.” As the magazine increasingly came to define significant trends and discerning taste in rock and pop music, appearances on its cover were coveted by established as well as up-and-coming musicians as emblems of critical success. The cover of "Rolling Stone" has featured the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Madonna, and many other musicians. Significant actors, writers, and politicians, such as Jack Nicholson, Susan Sontag, and Bill Clinton have also been on the front cover.

In May 2006 "Rolling Stone" printed its 1,000th issue. Its success through the decades was due to its ability to adapt to constantly changing musical, political, and cultural climates. Issues of "Rolling Stone" typically include music and movie reviews, celebrity stories and photographs, information on new artists, fashion advice, and articles on politics. The magazine has influenced pop culture through its “all-time greatest” lists, such as the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” (issued in November 2003) and the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” (issued in November 2008).