Concert in memory of Harry Chapin, July 23

Harry Chapin may be gone but his music and philanthropic contributions live on. And Stuart Markus, a fixture on Long Island’s folk and acoustic scene, intends to keep Chapin’s legacy at the forefront of the region’s musical activities. The classically trained Markus, who grew up in Rochester, N.Y. but is now based in Malverne, continues to find new meaning and passion in Chapin’s music, which he shares with fans at “Just Wild About Harry,” the tribute concert on July 23, which he organizes yearly at Eisenhower Park.
Over three decades have passed since Harry Chapin’s tragic death on the Long Island Expressway en route to a performance in Eisenhower Park in July 1981. That concert that he intended to give now has new meaning in the form of this memorial concert and food drive, featuring a slate of local musicians and bands. It is being held this year one week after the actual anniversary of his death at the theater in Eisenhower Park that now bears his name.
“Just Wild About Harry,” now in its eighth year, is an opportunity for Markus to continue to demonstrate the impact of Chapin’s music, which continues to resonate with both performers and fans. The 35 musicians involved take great pride in playing Chapin’s songs for the cause to which he dedicated himself.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been over 30 years since his death,” said Markus, who as a high schooler was just getting to know Chapin’s music beyond the hits in 1981. “I was in high school just becoming familiar with his songs when I found out he was dead. It was such a shame, not only because of his musical talents, but for all the good works he did, and then all of a sudden he was gone. His songs are about people that anyone can identify with and that is why they remain so popular. His songs make you care about the characters and, in turn, fellow human beings.”
And that goes to the core of Chapin’s philanthropic motivation and Markowitz’s zeal in continuing what Chapin started.