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The Pied Piper of Woodstock

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Once I received my copy, I stayed up late, reading it with great interest. As I have already described below, I am fascinated in the subject of this book and Artie Kornfeld has a perspective I have never seen fully explored before. It's been nearly 50 years since he started down the path to becoming a pivotal force in the music industry. He cowrote many songs you would know, including the classic Dead Man's Curve (working with Glen Campell and Leon Russell, who were part of Wrecking Crew at the time). He's managed the careers of many big names. Early on, he launched the Cowsills by cowriting The Rain the Park & Other Things (I Love the Flower Girl). He also cowrote "Follow me...I'm the Pied Piper..." hence the title of this book. He's had personal and professional relationships with Sonny & Cher, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, John Sebastian, Bert Sommer, Chuck Berry, Neli Young, and the list goes on. Artie has finally collected reminiscences from his life in music, including the historic experiences that culminated in 3 days of Peace and Music in 1969. He has a message that is still relevant to a war-torn world today. He bares his soul in a brutally candid and touching chapter that deals with addiction and the heartbreaking loss of both his beloved wife, Linda, and daughter Jamie. Artie: we will all be together again someday, my brother, we are still together. My sincere condolences to you. In my next breath, I should congratulate you for your lifelong achievements.

The book is very nicely produced with a good deal of colorful artwork and photographs. The chapters are categorized and also broken down into bite-sized sub headings, which makes for pleasant reading - like taking a box of tasty chocolates to bed! At Woodstock in 1969, he was on stage nearly throughout as he gathered releases for the film, which became a landmark documentary of this landmark event, and he gives a play-by-play of the events and the performances from a place anyone else has only been in their dreams. Over the years, I've read alot about the concert - nearly everything I could find that seemed authoritative - and I am glad to have another view of the event from someone who was at the center of it all. I had already written a positive review (see below), even before receiving the book, because I knew it would be an interesting book to read and believe it's important to support this long-awaited book's release. This man and his message, as revealed at last to the world here are compelling. It is a book that deserves to be read. Peace

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As a student of music and the 60's in general and Woodstock (the concert) in particular, I have been anxiously waiting to hear Artie Kornfeld's own voice describe his true life experiences - and I am glad the day has finally come! This man is a seminal figure in that culture which I hold dear to my heart. He helped to define the Woodstock Nation, even after the last notes had become only echoes in an empty field, and the multitude had returned to their homes.

I've been visiting Woodstock (the town) since I started driving, 36 years ago (so, I was too young to attend the concert) and I'll admit that it has always been a touchstone for me. Of course, the concert site was in a neighboring county, but it was not somewhere else in spirit from the place I am drawn to, again and again. I have enjoyed discovering the reasons that the concert, a true phenomenon, was conceived as it was, and I still struggle to understand the immense importance the event had in opening our eyes to the possibilities of the producers' vision. I am seeking the truth of it so that I can explain it to my own child, because I want him to know why it is meaningful to me.

Artie's work to keep the faith alive has been an encouragement to many people around the world, and I am grateful to him for committing his message to paper. He knows, firsthand, what the movers and shakers of a generation know. He helped define his generation and he is still making the call to, as Lincoln said in his inaugural address: "the better angels of our nature". If you are reading this, I expect you will be fascinated to find out how it all went down. If you have even a passing interest in the movement, then I recommend you listen to this thoughtful man's take on how we might get back to the garden.

Dan Ramirez

One of the most anticipated book releases in the music industry, "The Pied Piper of Woodstock", the memoirs of Woodstock 1969 co-creator Artie Kornfeld. The book is a no holds barred, real deal account of the before-during-and-after of Woodstock told by the heavily influential music icon. In addition to outlining Kornfeld's life growing up in the culture of American music, it covers his early career as a performer and songwriter, to his breakthrough as a producer promotion director, label owner, and arranger of some of the biggest names in music. Artie Kornfeld promises an interesting and accurate, tell-all depiction of growing up in the culture of American music and putting on the granddaddy of all music fesivals.

At a very young age, Kornfeld found himself swept up in the music phenomenon of the 1960's. He co-wrote the song "Pied Piper", which became a U.S. number one hit, soon found himself in the studio with Dion and the Belmonts and, after becoming the youngest-ever VP at a major record label in his early 20's, Kornfeld became a major driving force behind making the Woodstock festival a reality. Artie's dedication was solely responsible for Warner Brothers making the event into an academy award winning documentary, solidifying Woodstock's place in American history.

As far as the 1969 festival is concerned, Kornfeld had the bands and connections to make it happen. The first vice president of rock and roll had been involved in the most chart topping songs and events of the time with a passion to get the message out. Kornfeld also convinced Fred Weintraub, VP of Warner Brothers to sign a hand written Woodstock movie deal only one day before the festival. He is featured in the documentary so often due to the fact that he had to convince the musicians to appear in the Warner's film. "The Pied Piper" is a brand new account of Woodstock 1969 as Artie and Linda Kornfeld experienced it.

This book also delves into the Kornfeld family history. Shirley Kornfeld had been involved in the Civil Rights movement and is the creator of the freedom rides and telethons for the Congress of Racial Equality. Contained within his memoirs is a letter from the president of C.O.R.E. stating that without his mother's participation, integration of American schools would have been pushed back 30 years.

Artie Kornfeld made his living producing some of the biggest names in music history as well as spurring the alternative rock progression. He is accredited with over 100 gold and platinum awards, not to mention a total of 12 BMI awards. "The Pied Piper" is the official memoir of musician, record producer, music executive, and the Father of Woodstock, Artie Kornfeld.

Eventhough I have never met artie Kornfeld personally, I feel an intense connection and union with this true Paragon of Peace and Love. I have expressed to Artie in email and through blog posts my sincere appreciation to him for his vision and efforts in making the Original Woodstock Event such a reality, and for his continual efforts to bring peace and harmony to this nation and the world. It was because he gave birth to the most peaceful and life altering event in American history that My very life was changed forever.
It was at this event while stuck in traffic on 17b that a young girl hopped onto the back of my motorcycle and rode with me into the 1969 Woodstock Festival. We spent three magical days together. Less than a year later Maria became my wife. On June 28 we will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Our story was recently featured on a Dateline NBC "Back to Woodstock" special.
With great anticipation I have just ordered "The Pied Piper of Woodstock". Thank you Artie for making my dreams come true, and thank you for producing this wonderful book in which you give us great insight into the wonderful person you are by sharing your thoughts, love and inspirations.

October 20,2009
Wow,
Artie I hope everyone reads your book in the same manner I did, slowly savoring every line. Phewwww, I just read the last three chapters. Totally blew me away. I know my higher power directed me to read it this way. Incredible! Having attended the 1999 Woodstock event (at the ORIGINAL site) as I did thirty years prior, because I too thought the Spirit had been corrupted with the new venture and location, I felt your sense of betrayal.

What was more profound however was this one sentence (and forgive me for revealing it here) but it sums up for me so much of what your life's work, personal integrity and inspiration is all about:

"The performers at Woodstock were no more important to me than any one individual, and I think everybody there knew that they were as important as anybody up there on stage."

That's how you live your life Artie. You are truly a self-less and admirable person and I am so grateful to have made your acquaintance. What you have shared in these pages is remarkable! I fully endorse and
encourage everyone to obtain and read your sincere and and awesome insights, into this thing called life!

All I can say at this point is - THANK YOU ARTIE!!!!!

Peace my Brother,

Patrick Colucci
aka
Christopher Cole
author of
The Closer's Song
a Woodstock story told from the Mud

I just ordered The Pied Piper of Woodstock and knew Artie Kornfeld 41 years ago. I know of his passion for constructive positive change and he is the master of the game for all of us. His writings are from the heart and soul and I am sure they will personally touch all who read from his heart & soul,with laughter & tears to ours. If Woodstock effected your life in any way Pied Piper is a MUST read.

A must read for my spiritual family who believe in and live the ideals of the youth movement started in the 60s. But this memoir is not at all generation-specific. It is a message of hope for old and young. We CAN care for each other in peace, with love, with the music bringing us together. Wondering in 2009 who can lead us back to the garden where we rose up in peaceful protest and declared that bigotry, war, and complacency were not resonating with our authentic selves? By walking his talk for 40 years, I am still looking to the Pied Piper to shine the light on us today. Trust in him. He'll show you where it's at.

This is a wonderful book for anyone looking to recapture or learn about what 3 days of Peace, Love and Music really meant by the Co-Founder and Father of Woodstock, Artie Kornfeld. Not only was I captured, but now my 10 yr old daughter is as well. Keep the dream alive Artie!

In a sea of books, here is a book that is written with honesty, Love and passion about the most incredible musical event that has occurred on this planet. It has spanned generation after generation. No matter where in the world you are, everyone KNOWS where WOODSTOCK WAS!!!

Artie Kornfeld writes from the heart and takes you through his journey...side by side with you, every step of the way. Not only is a book to relish, it is a book to KEEP forever. The perfect gift for any music lover. Its got it all. We are lead down the road by the Pied Piper himself.

Woodstock was more than a music festival, more than a hippy gathering, more than a fun time, Woodstock made History and created a meaning for a generation of young people, dissatisfied with the status quo and the goings on at the time. We came to change the course of world by our peaceful example.
This is a WONDERFUL book, filled with an accurate accounting of history, with first hand insight, soulful honesty and the best of human integrity. It was written by an open heart whose intent is Peace, love and Music and founded the changes that heralded this moment in time. I could not put it down and found that the next reading revealed much deeper spiritual lessons for me to ponder and incorporate into my life's journey......
I would recommend that everybody, old or young, conservative or liberal, now or then to read this important body of work in peace and love.

This book is a marvelous trip through the 60's music scene. Artie Kornfeld gives of his heart and soul to offer us an inspiring account into the world of rock and roll's past that very few people know about. His honesty and openness drew me in and I wasn't able to put the book down until it had been completely absorbed. The music that I've enjoyed throughout my life has had (unbeknownst to me) Artie Kornfeld written all over it. What an American treasure Artie is. I for one can't wait for the movie.

We all have our rock heroes: Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Chuck Berry, Jim Morrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimi Hendrix, etc. But a name that should be on EVERYBODY'S Rock hero list is "Artie Kornfeld." Artie was/is there; living out our own personal Rock n' Roll fantasies and aspirations. Artie has numerous claims to fame - those of which the uninformed will find out when they read this book - but the one that's well-known by all: he was the creator of Woodstock. Yup, THE Woodstock. The event that not only became American Legend and American Folklore, but is a cornerstone in American History. For that alone Artie should be proud; but, as you will read, there are many, many impressive moments in his life, with many of your favorite Rock & Pop stars from each decade.

"The Pied Piper Of Woodstock" - it's rare that a book title is an accurate description of it's author. Little did Artie realize when he wrote and originally recorded THE PIED PIPER with Steve Duboff as "The Changin' Times" in 1965 that he would, indeed, be the "Pied Piper," leading thousands of young people to a magical place where Peace reigned and the world's problems, troubles and tragedies didn't exist for three wonderful, yet hectic, days.

What do YOU know about Woodstock? That it thunderstormed? It was muddy? Uncomfortable for many? Drugs were plentiful? There was a healthy amount of nudity? Traffic was held up for miles? All that is true.....and it was THE GREATEST PEACEFUL EVENT KNOWN TO AMERICA. Woodstock has become the greatest example of finding happiness and pleasure in a place that the media of the time called a "disaster area." What made it unique? Read the book. What made the event go down in American History? Read the book.

Some notorious figures like Abbie Hoffman and the Black Panthers got hordes of negative press in the 60's, mostly from those who were "afraid" of something/someone they didn't know anything about. After reading this book, your own opinions may be somewhat altered. Again, he was there - he lived it - he KNOWS.

Artie tells this book with no punches pulled. You will be surprised, shocked, pleased, amazed, envious, sentimental, saddened, wistful, informed and entertained. Artie has written the book without the tedious filler that pads other bios in order to have more pages - he gets right to the point on his tales, tribulations and triumphs which makes this book an extremely enjoyable reading experience.

Many of us who grew up in the 60's tried to disassociate ourselves from our parents as a sign of individuality and rebellion...but Artie's recollections and love for his parents shine through his chaotic Rock n' Roll lifestyle that many of us would have shunned our parents in order to experience. For that alone, Artie should be admired and commended.

So whether you attended Woodstock, didn't attend Woodstock, weren't born until after Woodstock, enjoy Rock & Roll, or just want to be entertained & educated - read this book. No matter your age, if you unknowingly have the "Spirit Of Woodstock," your eyes will moisten.

JOHN ROBINSON
Author of "Johnny's Jukebox Trivia."