Ivan Wilzig

Ivan L. Wilzig (born January 6, 1956) is an American recording artist and songwriter who is best known for his pop-dance remakes of 1960s and early 1970s peace and anti-war songs.

He created The Peaceman Foundation, a non-profit organization that battles hatred, violence and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the US alone, he has appeared on various reality television shows, such as Who Wants to be a Superhero?, Wilzig's father Siggi Wilzig (1926–2003) came to the United States as a Holocaust survivor from Germany. Fifty-nine of his relatives were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. His mother was an art collector Naomi Wilzig (1934-2015). After multiple salesman positions, Siggi Wilzig ultimately became chairman, President and CEO of Wilshire Oil Company of Texas, then listed on the NYSE; and chairman, President and CEO of The Trust Company of New Jersey, then listed on NASDAQ.

Wilzig graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1977, with a BA degree in European intellectual history. He then earned his JD degree at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in 1980. His first professional gigs were singing at Kutsher's Country Club in the Catskill Mountains, and then as a soloist at Town Hall in New York City with the Samuel Sterner Choir. Later, he performed in both high school (Fiddler on the Roof) and college (Bye Bye Birdie) musicals. His father Siggi discouraged him from continuing in music as a career, wanting his son to have a more secure profession.