Week in Review: Disney Upsets Joy Division Fans with Mickey Mouse T-Shirt

Courtesy of Disney

Joy Division is famous for being one of rock's darkest, most intense bands, so it comes as no surprise that their fans didn't have much of a sense of humor about Disney selling a Mickey Mouse t-shirt based on the cover of their 1979 classic Unknown Pleasures. After some outrage from fans – as well as some bitter remarks from bassist Peter Hook – Disney pulled the item, though the shirt is now available at an inflated price on eBay.

Photos: Leading Ladies on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In addition to following this unlikely drama, Rolling Stone chatted with Benji and Joel Madden about their new band the Madden Brothers, talked to Killers bassist Mark Stoermer about his solo debut and learned all about the Kaiser Chiefs' new tour and album. Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen interviewed each other about their show Portlandia, Vanilla Ice told us about the time he was stalked by a Satanist cult and Craig Finn played a solo set in our studio. We also caught up with the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir on his plans to reopen the Sweetwater Music Hall,  analyzed this week's pop charts, reviewed the latest albums and singles and looked back on this week in rock history.

Photos: Leading Men on the Cover of Rolling Stone

In pop culture, Peter Travers ranted about Oscar snubs and raved about the new Liam Neeson action flick The Grey, we listed off the 10 best music movies debuting at the Sundance Film Festival and we recapped the latest episodes of American Idol and Jersey Shore.

Photos: Random Notes

Last week, we asked you to name the most unique vocalist of all time, and we made a gallery of your top 10 favorites. Our question for you this week is: What is the best-ever rock star movie role? You can answer on our website, at facebook.com/rollingstone or on Twitter using the #weekendrock hashtag.

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Song Stories

“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

More Song Stories entries »

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