Chicago Pays Tribute to THE Don!
On August 5th we paid tribute to The Don...Donnie Hathaway...at the Love Love Love -Chicago Celebrates The Music Of Donny Hathaway tribute at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago. To put it mildly, Chicago showed up and SHOWED OUT in a MAJOR way in honor of the life and music of a legendary giant and one of our very own! Special, special thanks to Corey J. Wilkes, Mario Smith, Duane Powell, Marketta MusicLady Rodriguez, David Chavez, Frank McComb, Sam Trump, Erthe St. James, Soul Vortex, Ugochi, YAW, Justin Dillard, Kahil El Zabar, Tina Maria Howell, Renee Ruffin Merrell, Avery R. Young, Erin Harkey, and every other musician and person behind the scenes that contributed to making this EPIC event possible! It was incredible to be able to see so many of my personal friends and comrades truly shine and give their all to commemorate one of the greatest musicians of ALL time!
Donnita Hathaway, Donny's daughter, graced the stage to not only honor her father but to speak about mental illness, which is often stigmatized or ignored in our community. I personally have loved ones and friends that have fought and continue to fight this illness and can definitely say that much of what they combat is the ignorance of the general populace, myself included. Given the millions suffering, we owe it them and ourselves to educate ourselves so that we better love them, support them and hopefully, help them heal.
Once again, salutes to the legend, Chicago's Native Son, Donny Hathaway, and everyone who made this amazing experience possible. As an elder couple sitting behind me said, "This may be the best concert we've EVER been to here!" And to paraphrase Duane Powell, "my ears are still ringing with sounds of Donny Hathaway's music", specifically, my personal favorite, "Someday We'll All Be Free". And that is such a wonderful thing, especially in these days in times...
-SB
