Izzy Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Izzy Young
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Izzy Young sitting in his store in Stockholm, Sweden on August 29, 2014
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Israel Goodman Young
March 26, 1928 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
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| Died | February 4, 2019 (aged 90) Stockholm, Sweden
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| Nationality | American/Swedish |
| Occupation | folkloricist, author, producer |
| Known for | proprietor of the Folklore Center, Greenwich Village, New York City |
| Children | Philomène Grandin |
| Parent(s) | Philip Young Pola Young |
Israel Goodman Young (born March 26, 1928 – died February 4, 2019), known as Izzy Young, was a very important person in the world of folk music. He made a big impact in both America and Sweden. He was famous for owning music stores called the Folklore Center. First, he had one in Greenwich Village, New York. Later, from 1973 until he passed away, he ran a similar store called the Folklore Centrum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Contents
Izzy Young's Early Life
Israel Goodman Young was born on March 26, 1928, in Manhattan, New York. His parents, Philip and Pola Young, were Jewish immigrants from Poland. His father worked as a baker. Izzy grew up in the Bronx and finished high school there. He then went to Brooklyn College. Before opening his famous music store, he worked in his father's bakery and later in the book business.
The Folklore Center in New York
In 1957, Izzy Young opened the Folklore Center in Greenwich Village, New York City. It was a special store that sold books and records about folk music. It quickly became a central meeting place for the American folk music scene. Many musicians and songwriters would gather there.
From 1959 to 1969, Izzy wrote a column called "Fret and Frails" for a folk music magazine called Sing Out. He also helped guide the magazine until he moved to Sweden.
How Izzy Helped Famous Musicians
Izzy Young often set up concerts for folk musicians and songwriters. These events helped artists meet each other and share their music.
Bob Dylan, a very famous musician, wrote in his book Chronicles that he spent a lot of time at the Folklore Center. Izzy let him listen to folk music records and read books in the back room. It was there that Dylan met another musician, Dave Van Ronk. Izzy Young even produced Bob Dylan's very first concert in New York City in 1961. Bob Dylan later wrote a song about Izzy and his store called "Talking Folklore Center."
Other famous artists who played early concerts at the Folklore Center include Peter Paul and Mary, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, and Tim Buckley. Even Patti Smith, a well-known poet and singer, used to read her poetry there and became friends with Izzy.
Izzy Young's Activism
Izzy Young was also a strong activist who cared about social issues. In 1961, he led a protest march in Greenwich Village. This march became known as "the beatnik riot." People were protesting a ban on playing music in public at Washington Square Park. Izzy fought this ban in court and eventually won, allowing musicians to play there again.
Later in his life, he also supported people affected by war in Cambodia and those living in Palestine.
Moving to Sweden
Izzy Young became interested in Swedish folk music after attending a festival. In 1973, he closed his New York store and moved to Stockholm, Sweden. There, he opened a new store called the Folklore Centrum.
In 1986, he moved the store to a different location in Stockholm. He continued to host regular folk music concerts there for decades. These concerts featured traditional Swedish musicians, local artists playing music from other countries, and international performers.
In 1974, Izzy arranged a concert with the famous folk singer Pete Seeger in Sweden. A recording of this concert was later released as an album.
Izzy's Legacy and Collections
Izzy Young kept many personal diaries, notes, photos, and newspaper clippings. These important documents are now kept at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. They are known as The Izzy Young Collection.
In 2018, a large part of Izzy's huge library of books was given to a museum in Sweden called Mannaminne. His research and documents about Cambodia's history were also donated to a university in Sweden in 2001.
Izzy Young celebrated his 90th birthday at the Swedish Folklore Centrum in March 2018. Even at 90, he was still opening his store every day and hosting concerts, just as he had done for over 60 years. Due to his health, the store finally closed at the end of November 2018.
Izzy Young's Family and Death
Izzy Young was the father of Philomène Grandin, who is an actress and television presenter.
Israel "Izzy" Young passed away in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 4, 2019, at the age of 90. He spent his final days surrounded by his family, close friends, and live music.
See also
In Spanish: Izzy Young para niños
