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As we all know, Rick Danko was a man who really cared about our planet and helping out people whenever he could. When he said he was here to "help the neighborhood," he meant it. In my research, I have found so many instances where Rick was involved in benefit concert events of all kinds.
For those who may be too young to remember, in the late 1970's and early 1980's especially, there was a increase in concern about the dangers of not only nuclear weapons, but also the safety of nuclear power plants as a source of energy. Especially, after the famous Three Mile Island incident in 1979 which involved a partial nuclear plant meltdown near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
As a result of this, many activists and musicians came to together to unite in an anti-nuclear cause. The famous "No Nukes" concert happened in the fall of 1979 at Madison Square Garden and featured high profile artists as Bruce Springsteen, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Carly Simon, Tom Petty and many others.
A few years later in 1982, musician John Hall, who was also one of the organizers of the "No Nukes" shows also put together a benefit concert called "The Concert For Nuclear Freeze" at UPAC in Kingston, New York which featured Rick Danko, Artie Traum, The John Hall Band and others plus a "Very Special Guest," who turned out to be none other than Carly Simon.
Sponsored by the Catskill Alliance for Peace, proceeds from this concert were used to help pay bus fare for those unable to afford transportation to the large June 12,1982 rally being held in Central Park, which drew thousands of people in support of a nuclear freeze and disarmament.
So there we have it, another example of Rick Danko giving up some of his time to help others out. We need more people in this world like him. I haven't been able to locate any photos of Rick from this event. So if anyone has any, send them my way and I'll post here.
