Matt Pinfield has spent his entire life chasing music — in clubs, radio booths, boardrooms, on TV sets and in the front rows of venues across the country. 

He’s survived a near‑fatal car accident, rebuilt himself after a major stroke, and stayed relentlessly curious through every shift in the music industry. 

The 65-year-old Pinfield will share career and life stories during his Mesa Music Festival keynote at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Mesa Arts Center Piper Theater, 1 E. Main St. 

The festival runs from Thursday, Oct. 15, to Saturday, Oct. 17.

“My life has been very interesting,” he said. “It’s never hard to come up with something new to talk about.”

He’s been open about his struggles: rehab in 2017; hit by a car in 2018 suffering a broken leg and multiple lacerations; and a serious stroke in early January 2025. Still, Pinfield is a hot commodity.

“I’ve been one of those guys who’s very fortunate,” he said. “I’ve been working in the music industry for decades. I’ve seen a lot of changes [in the music industry].

“I’ve always been very excited about new artists and new music. I believe there’s a lot of great stuff — heritage bands and new exciting music. There’ve been multiple people who have wanted to do doc [documentary] series on my life.”

MORE NEWS: Billy Ray Cyrus will perform pre-race concert at Phoenix Raceway

Musical roots

Born in Athens, Georgia, Pinfield grew up in a working-class New Jersey family. He didn’t have industry connections or a mentor. 

“I’m truly self-made,” he said. “I didn’t know anybody in the music business at all.”

He got his start producing local bands in New Jersey. From there, his career exploded. He hosted MTV’s revered alt-rock and indie video show “120 Minutes; and the USA Network’s “Farmclub” with legendary producer and Interscope Records’ co-founder Jimmy Iovine. From 2001 to 2006, Pinfield worked for Columbia Records as the vice president of A&R (artists and repertoire) and artist development. 

He’s interviewed every major rock and alternative act of the last 30 years and, despite everything, he keeps going like the Energizer Bunny. He’s on the radio in Los Angeles on KLOS and KCSM, both of which are streamed. Pinfield has been hosting “Flashback,” a classic rock show for 16 years on 200 U.S. terrestrial stations as well.

Pinfield is also involved in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Awards, and the documentaries “Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires” and “New Wave.” 

“I love so many different eras of music,” he said. “I still always believe there are great young people who are coming out with music regularly. I never get jaded. I think that’s one of the things that’s really important. That speaks to longevity.” 

Pinfield has spent decades discovering new artists — long before streaming platforms and social media made it easy to find music. He enjoys giving tips to fledgling artists at places like the Mesa Music Festival. 

“The community aspect of it is important,” he said. “I still always believe there are great young people who are regularly coming out with music and I never get jaded. It’s a beautiful thing.”