Legendary Los Angeles rock scene pioneer Art Fein passes away at the age of 79.
Art Fein, a legendary figure in the Los Angeles music scene, passed away on July 30 at the age of 79. Born on June 17, 1946, in Chicago, Fein's love for rock music was ignited at the tender age of 10, when he was transfixed by a Chuck Berry concert. This moment set the course for a six-decade career that would see Fein work as a journalist, publicist, manager, television host, and more[1][2].
Fein's early years were spent managing iconic nightclubs such as Asylum and Casablanca, before he moved on to promotions at Capitol Records and serving as music editor at Variety. However, it was in music management and public access television where Fein truly made his mark[1][2][3].
In the 1970s, Fein nurtured a proto-punk scene in L.A. that gave birth to influential bands like The Cramps, The Blasters, and The Heaters. He curated the 1983 compilation "(Art Fein Presents) The Best of L.A. Rockabilly," which became a seminal influence for punk-inspired bands such as X and Social Distortion[1][3].
Beyond management, Fein served as a music consultant for films, wrote extensively for major publications including the Los Angeles Times and Billboard, and published a guidebook to L.A. rock landmarks in 1990[1][3].
One of Fein's most lasting contributions was his long-running public access cable TV show, Lil Art's Poker Party, which aired for 24 years starting in 1984. The show featured interviews and performances by major artists like Brian Wilson, Alison Krauss, Etta James, and Dwight Yoakam, blending Fein's passion for music with intimate storytelling. This show helped connect artists and audiences in Southern California and preserved key moments of the region's music culture[1][3][5].
Fein also organized ongoing cultural events in Los Angeles, such as an Elvis Birthday Bash, further enriching the city's musical landscape. Recognized as a historian, promoter, producer, writer, photographer, manager, TV host, and collector, Fein's career spanned multiple roles that collectively shaped and chronicled the Los Angeles music scene for several decades[1][2][4][5].
Art Fein is survived by his daughter Jessie and wife Jennifer. In the closing lines of his memoir, Fein expressed his desire to be in the music itself, not the business. His legacy, however, will undoubtedly remain a significant part of the music industry for years to come.
[1] https://www.laweekly.com/arts/art-fein-obituary-8582013 [2] https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-29-me-54042-story.html [3] https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7246447/art-fein-l-a-music-scene-legend-dead-at-79 [4] https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2021/07/31/1024091064/art-fein-pioneering-los-angeles-music-scene-figure-dies-at-79 [5] https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8798553/art-fein-obituary-los-angeles-music-scene-legend-dies-at-79
- Art Fein's television show, Lil Art's Poker Party, aired for 24 years in Los Angeles, featuring interviews and performances by notable musicians like Brian Wilson, Alison Krauss, Etta James, and Dwight Yoakam, thus connecting artists and audiences in Southern California.
- Beyond his work in music management and public access television, Art Fein was a music consultant for films, a prolific writer for major publications like the Los Angeles Times and Billboard, and the author of a guidebook to L.A. rock landmarks published in 1990.
- In addition to his contributions to the music industry, Art Fein organized cultural events in Los Angeles, such as an annual Elvis Birthday Bash, enriching the city's vibrant musical landscape.
- Despite his significant involvement in the business aspects of the music industry, Art Fein, in his closing memoir, expressed his desire to be in the music itself, not the business.
