Art Kunkin

Art Kunkin (March 28, 1928 – April 30, 2019) began as a Trotskyite political and labor organizer and worked as a machinist. He also provided commentaries for KPFK, an early listener-sponsored radio station in California. In May 1964, at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, he published the first issue of the Los Angeles Free Press. The Los Angles Free Press promoted countercultural movements, civil rights, and anti-war activism, often considered the beginning of the 1960s underground press movement. The Los Angles Free Press’ circulation skyrocketed to 100,000 before Kunkin lost control of the paper in 1972. He co-founded the influential collective, Underground Press Syndicate. Art Kunkin later became involved with New Age spiritual and esoteric pursuits.