New pieces will continue to be added to the expanded multimedia page on this website.
Please visit the blog page for thoughts and comments from some of Pete's close friends.
Dear Friends:
Pete Fornatale's many fans should know that plans are being made for a memorial tribute to Pete that will be held in the near future. It will be hosted by his friends at WhyHunger, with the support of Pete’s family, his friends, and … of course … his many fans. Information about that event will be made available here on the website.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made in Pete Fornatale’s name to WhyHunger, an organization that Pete has been associated with since it was co-founded by his good friend Bill Ayres and the late Harry Chapin in 1975.
To donate to WhyHunger in Pete Fornatale's memory:
By check, payable to WhyHunger (be sure to write “Pete Fornatale” in the memo field):
Please mail to:
WhyHunger
505 8th Avenue, Suite 2100
New York, NY 10018
To donate online, please visit WhyHunger.org
With Love, Peace and Music ...
Tony Traguardo / Webmaster, PeteFornatale.com
On This Site ...
You will find information about Pete's upcoming public appearances. You'll also be offered access to exclusive audio and videos clips, along with information about Pete's future projects. And of course, Pete will be here ... posting thoughtful posts ... keeping us thinking and laughing ... and reminding us why he has been a staple of New York radio for over 40 years.
You will find information about Pete's upcoming public appearances. You'll also be offered access to exclusive audio and videos clips, along with information about Pete's future projects. And of course, Pete will be here ... posting thoughtful posts ... keeping us thinking and laughing ... and reminding us why he has been a staple of New York radio for over 40 years.
PETE FORNATALE IS HONORED BY HIS PEERS
Cash, Rashad and Fornatale to be Honored with 2012 AFTRA Foundation AMEE Awards
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 17, 2011) --- The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) – a national union of more than 70,000 performers, recording artists and broadcast professionals – today announced the recipients of the AFTRA Foundation’s 2012 AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES).
Receiving honors will be broadcaster and rock historian Pete Fornatale, actress Phylicia Rashad and singer Rosanne Cash. The honorees will receive their awards at the AMEES dinner gala benefit to be held Feb. 6, 2012 at The Plaza Hotel in New York.
“The AFTRA Foundation is pleased to recognize these three inspirational and highly accomplished artists who truly represent the diversity and talents of AFTRA members,” said Shelby Scott, AFTRA Foundation President and former AFTRA National President. “Pete, Phylicia and Rosanne have each made significant contributions to their fields and continue to do so with integrity, a commitment to excellence and admiration for their audiences and colleagues. We are thrilled to be able to honor them.”
Pete Fornatale - AMEE Award in Broadcasting
An AFTRA member since 1970, veteran disc jockey and respected rock historian Pete Fornatale has been a fixture of New York radio for more than four decades. He started his career in 1963 as a Fordham undergraduate hosting "Campus Caravan” on WFUV 90.7, where he currently hosts his weekly show, “Mixed Bag.” The program features thematic song selections, plus in-depth interviews and live in-studio performances with some of the world’s most historically influential musicians including Tony Bennett, Ben Folds, Richie Havens, Cyndi Lauper, Lyle Lovett, Graham Nash, Neil Sedaka, Carly Simon, Regina Spektor and Brian Wilson.
Fornatale is the author of several books focused on media, pop culture and music, including “Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock,” “Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends” and “All You Need Is Love: And 99 Other Life Lessons from Classic Rock Songs.”
Fornatale co-hosted the 1991 HBO telecast of "Paul Simon Live in Central Park," and has regularly served as an expert guest commentator on PBS specials featuring legendary performers such as Bob Dylan; John Fogerty; The Grateful Dead; Jimi Hendrix; Roy Orbison; Peter, Paul and Mary; James Taylor and others.
His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the coveted Armstrong Award for Excellence in Musical Programming. He is a board member of WhyHunger and an honorary board member of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
Fornatale grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Fordham Prep and Fordham University. He currently resides in Rockaway Park, New York, and is the father of three grown sons.
Pete Fornatale was one of the architects of Progressive Rock FM in the '60s, and he has one of the most recognizable voices in rock radio. He has been a fixture on the New York dial for four decades, starting his career at WFUV in November 1963 at WFUV as a Fordham undergraduate hosting "Campus Caravan," and then moving on to WNEW-FM in 1969 and K-Rock in 1989. Pete currently hosts "Mixed Bag" on Saturdays from 4-8pm on WFUV 90.7 in New York. The long-running show started as a Sunday morning program in late December of 1982 on WNEW. On a humorous note, Pete remembers getting a fan letter the following week from a then unknown singer-songwriter named Suzanne Vega. She would eventually become a recurring guest on the show.
Pete is the author of several books about media, pop culture and music, including "The Rock Music Source Book," "Radio in the Television Age," The Story of Rock 'n' Roll" and "All You Need Is Love." He was also the primary writer of "The Elvis Collection," a 600 trading card series on the life of Elvis Presley.
Pete conceived, wrote and narrated the nationally syndicated radio feature "Rock Calendar." He also wrote seven episodes of the MTV series "Rock Influences," and served as a consultant, writer and voice-over announcer for "Deja View," a series of specials distributed internationally by All-American Television in 1984-1985. Pete co-hosted the 1991 HBO telecast of "Paul Simon Live in Central Park," and he has regularly served as an expert guest commentator on PBS specials featuring The Bee Gees, Bobby Darin, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, The Mamas and The Papas, The Moody Blues, Roy Orbison, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor and The Weavers.
Pete has won numerous awards during his lengthy and diverse career: The New York Council of Churches Award for Broadcast Excellence (1976), the coveted Armstrong Award for Excellence in Musical Programming (1983), The New York Folk Festival Special Folks Award (1984), The World Folk Music Association Award for Making a Difference in Broadcasting (1992) and The New York AIR Award for Achievement in Radio in (1998). He is a proud Board member of World Hunger Year, the organization co-founded by Harry Chapin, and he has served as a co-anchor of the annual Hungerthon broadcasts for many years. He also serves on the Honorary Board of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
Pete is the author of several books about media, pop culture and music, including "The Rock Music Source Book," "Radio in the Television Age," The Story of Rock 'n' Roll" and "All You Need Is Love." He was also the primary writer of "The Elvis Collection," a 600 trading card series on the life of Elvis Presley.
Pete conceived, wrote and narrated the nationally syndicated radio feature "Rock Calendar." He also wrote seven episodes of the MTV series "Rock Influences," and served as a consultant, writer and voice-over announcer for "Deja View," a series of specials distributed internationally by All-American Television in 1984-1985. Pete co-hosted the 1991 HBO telecast of "Paul Simon Live in Central Park," and he has regularly served as an expert guest commentator on PBS specials featuring The Bee Gees, Bobby Darin, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, The Mamas and The Papas, The Moody Blues, Roy Orbison, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor and The Weavers.
Pete has won numerous awards during his lengthy and diverse career: The New York Council of Churches Award for Broadcast Excellence (1976), the coveted Armstrong Award for Excellence in Musical Programming (1983), The New York Folk Festival Special Folks Award (1984), The World Folk Music Association Award for Making a Difference in Broadcasting (1992) and The New York AIR Award for Achievement in Radio in (1998). He is a proud Board member of World Hunger Year, the organization co-founded by Harry Chapin, and he has served as a co-anchor of the annual Hungerthon broadcasts for many years. He also serves on the Honorary Board of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
 Pete and old friend Richie Furay backstage before Pete's 'opening set' at The Sanctuary At TBJ on November 12th 2011. |  Pete and Richie signing albums ("Daddy, what's an album?") at The Sanctuary 'meet and greet' on November 12th, 2011. |
Website designed by Tony Traguardo / Word of Mouth Studios 2010