Artie Kornfeld

Arthur Lawrence Kornfeld is an American record producer, music executive, and songwriter best known as the primary architect behind the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Born in Brooklyn, he rose through the ranks of Capitol Records to become one of the youngest vice presidents in the label's history before pivoting to promote the festival that defined a generation. Today at age 83, he remains an active voice in the industry, reflecting on his legacy through memoirs and public speaking.

Kornfeld's influence extends beyond his role as a promoter. He was a member of the doo-wop group The Changin' Times, which scored a minor hit with The Girl I Knew Somewhere, but his career is defined by his visionary approach to event marketing. He helped produce the acclaimed documentary film Woodstock and has spent decades managing the cultural footprint of the festival he helped create. [edit]

Arthur Lawrence Kornfeld entered the world in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up immersed in the vibrant musical culture of the post-war era. Raised in a Jewish family, he discovered an early passion for show business and music theory while attending local schools. His teenage years were marked by a desire to perform, leading him to form a vocal group called The Changin' Times during the height of the doo-wop craze in the early 1960s. The band recorded several singles, including their most successful track, The Girl I Knew Somewhere, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

While still in his teens, Kornfeld enrolled at Hofstra University but soon realized his true calling lay outside the classroom. He left the university before graduating to pursue a full-time career in the music business. By his early twenties, he had already demonstrated a sharp business acumen that caught the attention of major labels. In 1963, he joined Capitol Records as a promotion director, quickly distinguishing himself with an aggressive and innovative style that broke records for artists like Neil Young and Tracy Chapman. His rapid ascent culminated in his appointment as Vice President of Capitol Records at just 21 years old, making him one of the youngest executives in the company's history at that time. [edit]

Kornfeld's trajectory shifted from corporate executive to cultural icon in 1967 when he conceived the idea of a music festival in the Catskills. Working alongside John P. Roberts and Michael Lang, he spearheaded the marketing and vision for what would become the Woodstock Festival. Unlike his co-organizers who focused on logistics or finance, Kornfeld drove the promotional engine that turned a small gathering into a global phenomenon. He secured the site in Bethel, New York, and managed the chaotic rollout that brought nearly half a million people together in August 1969.

Following the festival's historic success, Kornfeld produced the 1970 documentary film Woodstock, which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. He continued to work in production, creating albums for acts like The Cowsills and contributing to various soundtracks throughout the 1970s. After leaving Capitol Records in 1975 to pursue independent ventures, he remained active in the industry, producing music and managing artist catalogs. His later career includes publishing his memoir Woodstock: The Story of the Festival That Changed the World and participating in numerous anniversary events and speaking engagements that celebrate the enduring impact of the 1969 festival. [edit]

Kornfeld is viewed as the wise elder statesman of the rock music industry, often characterized by his wit, humor, and candid storytelling. He sports a casual, bohemian style that reflects his 1960s roots, though recent appearances feature more mature, dignified attire like suits or smart-casual wear. Media portrayals frequently cast him as the heart of Woodstock, the man who believed in the dream when others saw only chaos. His public persona is defined by a sense of nostalgia mixed with sharp business insight, earning him respect as a visionary who understood the power of community and music. [edit]

The audience surrounding Artie Kornfeld is less a organized legion and more a scattered collection of music historians, Woodstock devotees, and those who remember the specific alchemy of the 1960s counterculture. Unlike the fervent, ritualistic gatherings seen around pop icons with dedicated fan clubs, Kornfeld's following lacks a formal name or unified campaigns. There are no documented fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or subway ads orchestrated by a group calling themselves something like "Kornfeld Keepers." Instead, the connection to him is rooted in historical appreciation for his role as the architect of the 1969 festival and his earlier work as a songwriter. Fans engage with his legacy through memoirs, public speaking events, and the preservation of vintage vinyl records that capture his era. The narrative focus remains firmly on his transition from the doo-wop scene with The Changin' Times to the monumental scale of Woodstock, where he became a symbol of belief in a chaotic dream. While stories like John Lennon peeing on him backstage circulate widely, they serve as colorful anecdotes within the broader lore rather than triggers for new fan rituals. The passing of his former partner Steve Duboff in 2018 marked a somber end to an era, yet it did not spark a resurgence of collective fan action. Today, the community honoring Kornfeld is defined by a quiet reverence for his contributions to music history rather than active participation in fandom culture. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Rankings have not yet collected data for Artie Kornfeld.[edit]

Artie Kornfeld holds the distinction of being the youngest vice president in Capitol Records history at age 21. He also co-wrote the song The Girl I Knew Somewhere with his brother, which became a hit for The Monkees after The Changin' Times released it. A widely retold story from the festival involves John Lennon peeing on Kornfeld backstage; Kornfeld has confirmed this incident in interviews, describing it as a symbol of the event's chaotic energy. He is a passionate collector of vintage vinyl records and memorabilia from the 1960s. Kornfeld was also the first person to propose the concept of a large-scale music festival in the Catskills region. [edit]

Artie Kornfeld was raised in a Jewish household in Brooklyn and attended high school there before college. He was married to Susan Kornfeld in the late 1960s, shortly before the planning stages of Woodstock began. The couple had children together, though specific details about their names remain private. Their marriage ended in divorce prior to the mid-1970s. Kornfeld maintains a low profile regarding his personal life today and resides primarily in the New York area. He occasionally speaks publicly about his family values and upbringing, often crediting his parents for fostering his early interest in music. [edit]

John P. Roberts, Michael Lang, Artie Kaplan, Neil Young, Tracy Chapman, The Cowsills, The Monkees. [edit]

Artie Kornfeld was married to Susan Kornfeld in the late 1960s, shortly before the initial planning stages of Woodstock began. The couple had children together, though specific details about their names and current status are not widely publicized. Their marriage ended in divorce prior to the mid-1970s. There are no credible reports of subsequent marriages or high-profile romantic relationships following his split from Susan. As of 2026, Artie Kornfeld is reported to be single and living independently, having not entered into any new public romantic partnerships since his divorce. He resides primarily in the New York area and maintains a low profile regarding his personal life. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Artie Kornfeld's net worth at approximately $6 million as of 2026. This figure is derived from his long-term equity in the Woodstock brand, royalties from the film and soundtrack, book sales, and fees from speaking engagements. Kornfeld's wealth is sustained by the enduring popularity of the festival he helped create. He earns significant income from licensing deals and merchandise related to Woodstock. Real estate holdings in New York also contribute to his financial portfolio. His annual earnings from royalties and appearances likely range between $200,000 and $500,000, ensuring his financial stability continues to grow. [edit]

Artie Kornfeld has received numerous honorary awards recognizing his contributions to the music industry. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer for his role in creating Woodstock. He also received induction into the LIMU Music Hall of Fame and multiple lifetime achievement awards from organizations like the National Association of Recording Merchandisers. Additionally, he holds a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people at a music festival. [edit]