Since its inaugural issue in 1967—which featured revolutionary musician John Lennon on the cover—Rolling Stone magazine has succeeded in doing the seemingly impossible: it captured the thriving, tumultuous, and amorphous culture of American youth during a time of historical change. Thrown into the spotlight by such prolific writers as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, the magazine's contributors have since gained a transgenerational audience with their comprehensive coverage of music, politics, and entertainment. Today, it's arguably one of the most iconic pop-culture publications, slinging up irreverent album reviews and articles that teem with the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll that made it notorious. Perhaps even more famous than the stories themselves is the who's who of celebrated artists and infamous particle physicists that grace its covers.