A major earthquake in southern Italy spurred Chuck Mangione to organize a memorable benefit concert in Rochester in 1980. The 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Irpinia on Nov. 23, 1980, killed at least 2,483 people, injuring at least 7,700 and leaving 250,000 homeless over 10,000 square miles. Mangione read about the quake on Thanksgiving Day and spent hours on telephones rounding up promises to perform and dozens of pledges from people including Bob Hope, Woody Allen, Sparky Lyle and Dinah Shore.
“The $50-a-ticket concert began at 9:15 (p.m. Dec. 27) at the Americana Hotel, but eventually turned into a marathon endurance contest for audience and performers alike,” lasting eight hours, Jack Garner wrote in the Democrat and Chronicle on Dec. 29.
