Renowned Folk Promoter Dies

Harold Leventhal, a folk music promoter who worked with Woody Guthrie and presented Bob Dylan in his first major concert hall show, died at a New York City hospital October 4th.

Leventhal, 86, introduced audiences to foreign and American acts from the 1950s to the end of the 20th century.

Other artists he worked with include Harry Belafonte; Joan Baez; Johnny Cash; the Mamas and the Papas; Peter, Paul & Mary; Earl Scruggs; and Neil Young.

As well as being the longtime producer of the Thanksgiving folk concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Leventhal won a Grammy in 1989 for producing the album Folkways: A Vision Shared – A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly.

He also produced several movies about the world of folk music.