People For the American Way’s board and staff mourn the death of longtime board member Howie Klein, who died on Dec. 24, 2025 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Klein and the late Rob Reiner were honored with People For the American Way’s Spirit of Liberty Award in 1999.
Klein had an extraordinary career in the music industry. “Widely respected for championing creative freedom and resisting censorship, Klein left his mark on the music business through influential roles at Sire Records and Reprise Records, as well as earlier work in radio and indie labels,” noted Billboard’s obituary. Klein “earned deep loyalty from musicians, particularly those who felt marginalized elsewhere in the industry.” Among the musicians and groups whose careers he helped shepherd were Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Alanis Morissette, Green Day, and Fleetwood Mac.
Howie Klein’s love for music and musicians was matched by his passion for freedom of expression and his energetic devotion to democratic participation. Klein served for many years on the board of People For the American Way, and used his deep friendships and broad networks to engage musicians and other artists in our work to defend freedom of expression and other ideals.
Klein’s family and friends, along with all of us in the progressive movement, have lost a force of nature and powerful advocate.
