STONE ROLLING: Will there be any dramatic...

STONE ROLLING: Will there be any dramatic changes of style at Rolling Stone magazine with music editor David Fricke returning to his old job of senior writer? The question is intensified by the recent departure of reviews editor Anthony DeCurtis, who left to join VH1’s fledgling news department.

Not likely, insiders say. Rolling Stone’s music coverage has been marked by continuity in recent years, with new editors all coming from in-house: Fricke in 1992 succeeded Jim Henke, who stepped in when Kurt Loder left to anchor MTV News in 1986.

Among the candidates said to be under consideration are Fricke’s assistant, Karen Johnston, and former assistant music editor Barbara O’Dair, who currently edits US, which like Rolling Stone is owned by Jann Wenner. Outsiders approached about the job reportedly include Keith Moerer (former editor of BAM and current editor of Request) and Mark Kemp, editor of L.A.-based Option.

Meanwhile, there’s been rampant speculation that Fricke’s move stemmed from an alleged conflict with Wenner. Fricke was unavailable for comment, but sources close to the situation say the talk is off-base and that Fricke merely was tired of editing and wanted to concentrate on writing.