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05 Oct 05 - 04:11 PM (#1576709) Subject: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP From: Mary Katherine Sadly, I pass along the news of the death last night in a New York hospital of Harold Leventhal, known throughout the folk music world as one of the "good guys." He was the longtime manager of the Weavers, co-founder of the Woody Guthrie Children's Trust, and mensch par excellence. Mary Katherine |
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05 Oct 05 - 05:33 PM (#1576755) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP From: Bill Hahn//\\ A idealistic, charming and witty person with an openness to all. I was fortunate to have met him a few times A great loss and one who's presence will be sorely missed. Bill Hahn |
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05 Oct 05 - 07:21 PM (#1576824) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP From: Tannywheeler Well, dammit. Yes, one of the good guys--and family friend/working associate (of Mama). Condolences to his family. He got the respect of many the old-fashioned way--he EARNED it. Tw |
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05 Oct 05 - 07:32 PM (#1576829) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP From: Peace Leventhal had the respect of the whole folk music world. Not too many have that said about them--and deserve it. He was a gentleman and the folk world owes him a debt of gratitude for his honesty in what can be a less-than-honest business. "For over 60 years, New York producer and artist manager Harold Leventhal has been at the forefront of presenting folk music to the world. He is also one of the music industry's most highly respected and revered men. Leventhal has been presenting Arlo Guthrie at his annual Holiday Show at Carnegie Hall for over 30 years! We are grateful to Arlo for giving us this opportunity to shed light on Harold Leventhal's enormous legacy He began his career as a song plugger for Irving Berlin, working with such legends as Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. In the late '40s, his interest shifted to folk music when he met Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and Pete Seeger. He went on to manage The Weavers in 1951 and continued to present hundreds of new folk singers to the world. His list of artists include: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, The Clancey Brothers, New Lost City Ramblers, Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, Donovan, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Arlo Guthrie. Leventhal became one of the first producers to present some of the world's greatest performers in New York halls. Among them: Jacques Brel, Miriam Makeba, Nana Mouskouri, Enrico Macias, Mercedes Sosa and The Modern Jazz Quartet. It's hard to imagine what the folk & world music soundtrack would be like today without his enormous contributions. Many musicians credit their careers to first having heard The Weavers at their 1955 Carnegie Hall concert. Others, to having first heard Bob Dylan at his first Town Hall concerts. Leventhal's legacy has, quite simply, been at the epicenter of the genre, inspiring hundreds of musicians and informing the world's listeners." The above is from here. "In the 1950's, during the McCarthy House Un-American Activities years, Leventhal continued to represent, promote and produce "black-listed" artists such as Pete Seeger, and suffered the consequences of his loyalty. (His passport was revoked until the mid-'50s.) He worked closely with Seeger and Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights movement in the '60s, organizing benefit concerts and scheduling southern tours with his artists." The man, IMO, deserves a standing ovation for his life, his work and his courage. Few deaths bring me to tears, but despite his years, this death has. Rest well. |
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05 Oct 05 - 09:21 PM (#1576877) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP (4 Oct 2005) From: Bill Hahn//\\ I could not agree more. Yet, website from Arlo not withstanding, there was a lot more to him. A few notes: During the Blacklist days booking once again The Weavers in Carnegie Hall for a reuntion concert. Interesting details to that. To the end he had his humble offices on West 57 St in NYC which were also the repository ( to my knowledge) of the Woody Guthrie archives. On 2 Personal notes: Many years ago I really wanted tickets to a particular concert---I called (it was sold out) and I was told to go to 57th St office and but a pair. I ended up seated with Peter Paul Mary and more---I called a week later to thank Harold---and in his gruff voice he said---Hope you liked the show , Tony--Tony---he did not even know who he sold the tickets to---it is known as access to a person. Finally---I saw him recently going to the Jacob Burns Film Ctr in Pleasantville NY for a showing of Wasn't that A Time---met him in front anw we chatted a bit. After the showing he fieleded questions---and here is the funny part. In the film they talked of union organizing, labor and such. In the Q & A period the question to him came up---what were your big problems in booking concerts at, say, Carnegie Hall---Harold L. response---Damned Unions. You gotta love that honesty. Bu the way that all was followed by the group Work O The Weavers. I thought---how will they follow all this---a standing ovation followed. Bill Hahn |
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06 Oct 05 - 10:59 AM (#1577065) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP (4 Oct 2005) From: Peace Refresh in memory of a man I admire. |
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06 Oct 05 - 09:53 PM (#1577668) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP (4 Oct 2005) From: GUEST Biil, nice personal notes. Glad you shared them. |
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08 Oct 05 - 01:55 PM (#1578952) Subject: RE: Obit: Harold Leventhal RIP (4 Oct 2005) From: Mike Regenstreif Just over a year ago, I attended the world premiere of "Isn't This a Time!" the film of the Carnegie Hall tribute concert to Harold held in 2003. Click here to read my column about the event. Harold set the standard to which those of us who work behind the scenes in folk music can aspire to. Mike Regenstreif |