Who was Art Fein? All about the author and TV host noted in the LA music scene in the wake of his passing at 79

Art Fein was a legendary figure in the Los Angeles music and TV scene. Fein died on July 30 at 79 after succumbing to heart failure while recuperating from surgery for a broken hip.

He was known for being the creator and host of Art Fein's Poker Party. Fein launched the public access music show in 1984, and it ran for 24 years. During its run, the show featured Brian Wilson, Alison Krauss, Etta James, Union Station, Love with Arthur Lee, Dwight Yoakam, Spirit, Dion, Joe Strummer, and a session musician, Carol Kaye, a member of the fabled Wrecking Crew.

Each episode ran for 30 minutes and included conversations and performances. A lot of the videos are archived and can be viewed at Fein's YouTube channel.

More about Art Fein

Born in Chicago, Art Fein earned a degree in Journalism at the University of Colorado. From there, Fein moved to Los Angeles and began a career in writing. He wrote for various media outlets, including, Los Angeles Times, Billboard, the Village Voice, and numerous record companies.

He also worked as a music consultant for CBS's Tour of Duty and Atlantic Releasing's Roadhouse 66, and a record producer for The Blasters and L.A Rockabilly, before taking on a managerial role for the Cramps and the Saddle Sores.

Art Fein began his Poker Party show during an era when public access television was gaining a foothold as a medium for artists that lacked mainstream recognition. Fein capitalized on a 1984 FCC policy that allowed cities to require a public-access channel any time they entered a franchise agreement with a cable company. During the taping of the show at Century Cable in Santa Monica, California, Fain met his wife, Jennifer, who worked there.

In 1992, when the show was eight years old and had run 400 episodes, The Los Angeles Times wrote a feature piece on Fein and his show. While speaking to the writer, Bob Baker, Fein said,

"If this show is a springboard, I'll be mighty happy. But if it's not, I'm having a ball doing what I want to do."

Fein published a memoir, titled, Rock's In My Head, where he wrote about his life's highlights. He was also a successful author, and wrote three books: Rock's in My Head: Encounters with Phil Spector, John & Yoko, Brian Wilson, and a host of other people who should be just as famous, The Greatest Rock & Roll Stories: The Most Outrageous and Magical and Scandalous Events in the History of Rock & Roll., The L.A. Musical History Tour: A Guide to the Rock and Roll Landmarks of Los Angeles (Faber & Faber, 1991).

Art Fein is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Jessie.

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