HMMA is proud to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to one of music’s greatest luminaries, Artie Kornfeld. The presentation will take place at the 2010 Event on November 18, 2010 at the Highlands in the Kodak Theater Complex / Hollywood & Highlands Center.
History – Kornfeld is the son of a New York City policeman and his wife (Irving & Shirley). Brought up in the early 50s in Levittown, NY, Kornfeld’s family constantly moved and he attended six different schools, learning the lessons of the world through the song lyrics played over the radio. Artie Kornfeld would soon live his American dream and become the guiding force to what is now known as “The Woodstock Generation”.
Co-creator and sole promoter of Woodstock 1969, Artie Kornfeld was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1942. The man who would later be deemed “The Father of Woodstock” would go on to become one of the most respected composers, publishers, producers, managers, and promoters in the history of rock and roll.
Kornfeld got his first guitar in 1956 and learned a few chords that were pretty much universal at the time. He soon found himself with a record deal and on stage with Dion and the Belmonts with The Skyliners singing backup. Kornfeld would further his music career by attending Adelphi College and American University where he met Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas.
After a few more fortuitous music connections, Kornfeld began his enterprise of writing the most Cashbox top 100 of any song writer. Kornfeld became the vice president of Capitol Records in his early 20s, making him the youngest to hold the position and the first vice president of rock and roll ever. By 1966, Kornfeld had written over 75 Billboard charted songs and participated in over 150 albums. In 1969, Kornfeld left Capitol records to co-create The Woodstock Music & Arts Festival.
The Changin Times
Artie Kornfeld along with Steve Duboff teamed as the Pop/Folk group the Changing Times. They had a 1965 hit with “the Pied Piper’ one of the most covered records in publishing and were on tour with Sonny & Cher during the 1965 “I got you babe” Tour. Kornfeld was also the writer of “Deadman’s Curve” from Jan & Dean and songwriter/ producer of the 1967 hit by the Cowsills “The Rain, The Park, and Other Things”
Woodstock
When Artie Kornfeld and Michael Lang became best friends in 1968 and Lang eventually moved in with Artie and his wife Linda, the idea of Woodstock was still a dream. The effort of four men: Artie Kornfeld, Michael Lang, Joel Rosenman, and John P. Roberts through Woodstock Ventures made the 1969 music festival a possibility.