Artie Kornfeld

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Artie Kornfeld (born Arthur Lawrence Kornfeld, in Brooklyn, New York on September 9, 1942) is an American musician, record producer and music executive.

1 Early Years
2 Capitol Records
3 Woodstock
4 External links

[edit] Early Years

The son of Irving, a police officer, and his wife Shirley, and lived in Levittown, New York as a child, though later his family would move frequently. He started playing music in 1956, when he got his first guitar, and was signed to a contract at age 16. He attended Adelphi College and American College, at the latter he became friends with Cass Elliot.

Later, he recorded demos in the Brill Building, and in 1962, co-wrote 'I Adore Him' by the Angels, which went to #11 on the Billboard charts. It was during this time that Kornfeld met Jan Berry of Jan & Dean and co-wrote all but one song on their album, as well as "Dead Man's Curve," which was recorded by the Beach Boys. He also co-wrote, with Steve Duboff, the Cowsills' song "The Rain, the Park and Other Things."

Produced "6 O'Clock News" for the group The Hopeful in 1966 which was released on the Mercury record label, record number 72637. This tune was a soft protest number adapted from "America The Beautiful". Also adapted by Artie Kornfield.

As a performer, Kornfeld and Duboff were in a rock group named The Changin Times, they co-wrote and recorded the song "Pied Piper", which was covered by Crispian St. Peters in 1964 and became a #1 hit. On tour the Changin Times opened for Sonny and Cher.

[edit] Capitol Records

At age 21, he became the youngest vice president at Capitol Records.

[edit] Woodstock

Main article: Woodstock Festival
Kornfeld, along with John Roberts, Joel Rosenman and Michael Lang, planned and produced the Woodstock Rock Festival of 1969. Kornfeld met Lang in 1968. Lang managed a band called Train, and brought them to Capital in an attempt to get them signed to a contract. The two became friends, and Lang moved in with Kornfeld and his wife.

The pair came up with the idea for a recording studio in Woodstock, because the area was becoming a popular destination for artists, and many musicians were coming to the area. They also wanted to plan a rock concert and cultural festival.