Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, later known simply as Dr. Hook, was an American rock band formed in Union City, New Jersey in 1968. Known for their quirky, often humorous lyrics and charismatic frontman Dennis Locorriere’s distinctive vocals, Dr. Hook enjoyed considerable success throughout the 1970s. They charted several top 10 hits, including “Sylvia’s Mother,” “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman.” While they never achieved a Grammy Award, their consistently charting singles and albums solidified their place in popular music history.
One of their most memorable and ironic songs is “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone’,” released in 1972. The song, penned by Shel Silverstein, is a tongue-in-cheek anthem about a band’s longing for mainstream success and validation. It humorously details the band’s desire to grace the cover of the iconic counter-culture magazine, “Rolling Stone,” believing it to be the ultimate symbol of rock and roll legitimacy. The lyrics playfully highlight the compromises and potential moral ambiguities a band might consider to achieve such recognition, implying that being on the cover would automatically elevate them to superstar status.
The song resonated deeply with audiences, particularly those involved in or observing the music industry. While the song is lighthearted, it subtly satirizes the commercial aspirations within the rock and roll world, a world often perceived as rebellious and anti-establishment. Interestingly, the song’s popularity actually led to Dr. Hook appearing on the cover of “Rolling Stone” in 1973, although only a caricature of the band was used, fulfilling the song’s prophecy in a self-aware and comical manner. The irony and humor embedded within “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” continue to make it a beloved and enduring classic.
