Jon Spencer – Interview: Forbes.com

Jon Spencer – Interview with Jim Ryan for Forbes.com (25 June 2026).

“Jim Ryan: What does the term rock and roll mean to you in 2026 with all that’s going on?

Jon Spencer: I’ve been talking about Little Richard a lot lately. Not just in this interview but also from the stage. And the reason I keep coming back to Little Richard is… well, I love him. Because he’s such a beautiful, crazy character. And I love his music. There’s so many different things which I love about who he was as a person and as a musician, performer and artist. But the reason I keep coming back to him is because who that guy was is the kind of person that they’re trying to really push out of our country.

Who wants to live in a United States of America that is only for white christian people? It’d be a f—ing drag. That doesn’t sound great to me! I mean, what is the one thing that is America’s gift to the world? Rock and roll. Jazz too. And both of these artforms, where did they come from? They came from people who are different!”

Full Interview Here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimryan1/2026/06/25/jon-spencer-on-latest-album-songs-of-personal-loss-and-protest/

Photo: Skyler Smith