Peter Stampfel

Peter Stampfel is a longtime folk musician, fiddler, and singer known for his offbeat energy, experimental spirit, and deep roots in the American folk and underground scenes. A founding member of the Holy Modal Rounders in the 1960s, Stampfel helped pioneer a unique style that mashed up traditional folk with psychedelia, humor, and a raw, joyful irreverence. He was also briefly a member of the legendary Fugs, another countercultural band known for its wild fusion of satire, poetry, and rock.

Throughout his career, Stampfel has remained a vital and unpredictable presence, collaborating with artists like Jeffrey Lewis and continuing to release deeply eclectic solo work. His more recent albums, like Peter Stampfel’s 20th Century, reflect his obsession with musical history — a sprawling collection of one song from each year of the 20th century, performed in his unmistakably quirky style. Whether he's recording jingles, rounds, or reinventing Christmas carols, Stampfel channels decades of musical knowledge with a childlike curiosity and a gleeful disregard for convention.

Genres

Ragtime

Experimental

Alternative

Folk

Rock

Jazz

Indie

Country

Bluegrass

Humor

Related Artists

Loudon Wainwright III

Michael Hurley

John Prine

Jeffrey Lewis

Dave Van Ronk

Bob Dylan

Anais Mitchell

Lou Reed

Randy Newman

Tom Waits

They Might Be Giants

Dr. John

Latest Release

Song Shards

Peter Stampfel

Album - 46 Tracks - Released September 19, 2025