I first met Harry on April 4, 1976, after a benefit concert in Champaign IL. I was 18, a freshman at the University of Illinois, and a huge fan. He was playing at Huff Gym, across the street from my dorm. Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity was hosting a Dance a Thon for Muscular Dystrophy and Harry was the featured act. The fraternity was auctioning off seats on a Lear jet to fly with Harry to Oklahoma City for his concert that evening. I won a seat and thus began my experience with Chapin.
He was tired on the plane but answered all of our questions. He dreamed of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He talked about how he loved Champaign Urbana. The day after he released his album, "Heads and Tales" he played the auditorium in CU. He got his first standing ovation during a concert at that show. He said it was one of his favorite shows ever. I told him the library had a reel to reel copy of the concert. He wanted a copy. My mission had begun.
As we talked more he mentioned his previous few trips to Champaign had been to play benefits for other charities, he would like to come and play for his charity, World Hunger Year. This became the focus of my mission.
Upon returning to Champaign I secured a copy of the tape, sent it to Harry and he invited me to join him for his shows in Chicago at the Arie Crown Theater on November 27, 1976. Between shows on this second day I was with him, I sprung a plan on him to host a benefit concert in Champaign sponsored by my fraternity. He shared contact information for Bob Hinkle, Sundance Music, who managed his benefits.
Over the next 16 months, Bob helped me plan and organize my first major rock concert. He selected February 28, 1978, two shows at the Auditorium and the day President Carter would announce that Harry was selected to serve on the presidential commission for world hunger. I was to pick Harry up at the airport, spend the entire day with him raising money and promoting the cause and then get him to the O'Hare airport by 6 AM to catch a flight.
Day 3 began at UI Willard airport. We picked Harry up and then went to Kam's Bar for a press conference. The mayors presented him with keys to the city and there was a press release with the presidential announcement. From the press conference, I drove Harry to several retail establishments where he sold pizza, signed records, played some music, and answered questions. At each stop, we raised more money for WHY.
Harry ate dinner at Pi Beta Phi Sorority, who had won a dinner raffle with Harry. He played some music and the girls serenaded. He did not want to leave for his two concerts. But he did. He played two shows and then he and the band came by the fraternity for a post-concert party. We finally jumped in the car and I drove him the 3 hours to Chicago.
This car ride opened my heart and mind to community service and the obligations I have to make things better. Harry could do that to you, of course, change your life in a few hours. Harry caught Northwest flight 222 made famous in another song, and headed to NYC for the day. He had another show in Bloomington Indiana the next night.
Day 4 was a year and a half later. Harry returned to Champaign on his birthday, December 8, 1979 to play two more shows. These shows were not benefits. I had raised a few thousand for WHY and Harry invited me to come on stage to present the checks. We talked a bit backstage. This was to be the last time I talked to him and his final show in Champaign.
Four days, four important days that began blazing my community service path. Harry was unselfish. I think he truly believed he needed to use his gift to make this "a better place to be."
When I am involved in projects, whether producing community theater, raising money for cancer, serving on a church mission trip, I am reminded of the seed Harry planted in me when I was just a kid.
