Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Lightfoot remembers Harry Chapin 30 years after his death-July 2011

Islandgirl1 · 07-10-2011, 03:20 PM

Thank you for posting this article Char. I did not realize it has been 30 years since that tragic day. I was born and grew up on Long Island and lived about 20 minutes from Eisenhower Park. That day almost everyone I knew was preparing to go to that concert. We were all looking forward to it with excitement since the day the free concert was announced on the radio stations. We saw the concert as a special gift to us Long Islanders from Harry Chapin. I remember so distinctly sitting on my deck with my Mom and Grandma as friends arrived to form the caravan to Eisenhower Park. We planned to go several hours early to get as close to the stage as possible. And then my sister came out of the house and informed us of the news just broadcasted on the radio - that the concert was cancelled as Harry Chapin had been involved in an accident with a truck on the LIE and died. Everyone was speechless. It was all so surreal, a day that went from anticipated enjoyment of great entertainment to great saddness.

I still live on Long Island and Harry Chapin very much lives on in our lives through LONG ISLAND CARES and the yearly concerts sponsored and performed by his brother, Tom, and wife, Sandra. I turn up the volume whenever TAXI comes sailing over the satellite radio in my car and sing along. Recently, I was driving upstate New York with my younger sister when TAXI played. After it was done my sister said,"That is truly a good song."I added, "One of the best."

07-10-2011, 03:20 PM	#3
Islandgirl1 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Elmont, NY [Long Island] Posts: 51	Re: Lightfoot and others remember Harry Chapin 30 years after his death Thank you for posting this article Char. I did not realize it has been 30 years since that tragic day. I was born and grew up on Long Island and lived about 20 minutes from Eisenhower Park. That day almost everyone I knew was preparing to go to that concert. We were all looking forward to it with excitement since the day the free concert was announced on the radio stations. We saw the concert as a special gift to us Long Islanders from Harry Chapin. I remember so distinctly sitting on my deck with my Mom and Grandma as friends arrived to form the caravan to Eisenhower Park. We planned to go several hours early to get as close to the stage as possible. And then my sister came out of the house and informed us of the news just broadcasted on the radio - that the concert was cancelled as Harry Chapin had been involved in an accident with a truck on the LIE and died. Everyone was speechless. It was all so surreal, a day that went from anticipated enjoyment of great entertainment to great saddness. I still live on Long Island and Harry Chapin very much lives on in our lives through LONG ISLAND CARES and the yearly concerts sponsored and performed by his brother, Tom, and wife, Sandra. I turn up the volume whenever TAXI comes sailing over the satellite radio in my car and sing along. Recently, I was driving upstate New York with my younger sister when TAXI played. After it was done my sister said,"That is truly a good song."I added, "One of the best." Last edited by Islandgirl1; 07-10-2011 at 03:39 PM.