Miller Sorry for Omitting Black Artists
By JULIET WILLIAMS
Associated Press Writer



MILWAUKEE - Miller Brewing Co. apologized Thursday for failing to include any black artists on its series of commemorative rock 'n roll cans.
The Associated Press reported Sunday that the brewer, in a promotion with Rolling Stone magazine, did not have a black artist on the cans as part of its celebration of the "50th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll."

"African Americans obviously have played a formative role in the development of rock 'n roll, and despite our efforts, we did not manage this component of the promotion appropriately," the company said in a statement late Thursday "to the African-American community, to music fans and to our valued consumers."

Milwaukee-based Miller issued a series of eight commemorative cans this summer featuring Rolling Stone cover shots of Elvis Presley, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Willie Nelson, as well as two showing the guitars of Eric Clapton and Joe Walsh.

"We took a hard look at the situation and realize where we fell short. You can count on Miller to step up," Virgis Colbert, Miller's executive vice president of worldwide operations, said in the statement.

The brewer noted that the commemorative cans were part of a larger campaign with Rolling Stone that includes events and promotions "that prominently and proudly feature African-American music artists."

Miller said its two-day concert, the culmination of the promotion, will feature James Brown, Bo Diddley, Wyclef Jean and Lenny Kravitz, who are all black. The names of the artists for the Sept. 17 and 18 New York City performances had not previously been disclosed.

The cans were issued in conjunction with three Rolling Stone special editions: rock immortals, moments and photos. In its immortals edition, 20 of the 50 rockers are black.

Critics had questioned how Miller could have overlooked black artists' role in the development of rock music.

Business/Finance News
08/19/2004 22:03:04 EST
Associated Press
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tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

Wyclef but no Jimi?

theAudience said:

now gettouttahere! what revealing news we got here... next thing they gonna tell us that the native americans were there before the white men came...

Anxiety said:

Wyclef and no Chuck Berry?

UptownDeb said:

Duuudes, you've read it wrong. Those are the guys that are playing the weekend festival. I'd like to see Jimi play too, but that would take some serious voodoo. They should just dig him up and use his ribs as drum sticks. It would be the way he would have wanted it.

How insulting to include Bon Jovi and Def Leppard (they're good but really) and the guitar of Eric Clapton is a slap in the face since he was so heavily influenced by African American rock and blues.

How could they NOT include JIMI HENDRIX on their cans. I mean hello, didn't he have a "white pass" And plus every bar I know has a drink called "Purple Haze."

Where's...

Little Richard ("The Architect")
Fats Domino
Chuck Berry
The Dominoes
The Shirelles
The Platters
Doo Wop Groups!
Bad Brains!!!
etc. etc. etc.

Hello, peepil!

Number23 said:

hell, it worked for DEVO.

Number23 said:

Good grief! I'm so NOT there.

they're fucking beer cans. get over it....

JANFAN4L said:

i agree...i mean if they have no other black person they BETTER have the orginator the emancipator imitated but never duplicated architect of rock and roll ( or whatever that shit is he be sayin) and jimi....but what ever it IS just a beer can...and beer is nothin more than aged piss....mmm purple haze sounds tastey!

Tessa said:

psykosoul said:

well they are.

JANFAN4L said:

I just noticed your post.

Yay! Another Bad Brains fan!!!!

UptownDeb said:

I'd show up!