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Surprise Birthday Bash for Bill Ayres at New York's Hard Rock Cafe
by Rich and Laura Lynch
They were putting on Ayres last week in New York City. That is Bill Ayres - longtime radio host and community activist - who was the guest of honor at a surprise 70th birthday party thrown for him by his friends and family to celebrate his lifetime of meaningful work.
Singer-songwriter Jen Chapin also chairs the Board of Directors of WhyHunger.
Bill Ayres is a former Catholic priest and a well respected radio personality and producer. His show has aired in New York City since the early 70's and it was through this vehicle that Bill met many of the musicians that have become his friends and colleagues over the years. One of those personalities was the late Harry Chapin - who together with Bill - co-founded World Hunger Year in 1975.
Now known as WhyHunger, Bill remains the Executive Director and guiding force of the organization that is best known for its annual Hungerthon radio telethons to help raise money for the hungry and food banks every year around the Thanksgiving holiday. Bill's ongoing mission with WhyHunger is to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to resources and nutritional, affordable food.
On January 19th, 2011, family, friends and WhyHunger staff and volunteers threw a surprise birthday party for Bill at the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway in New York City. A private room decorated in rock memorabilia set the stage for the catered event. Mr. Ayres - thinking he was attending his yearly board of director's meeting - was amazed as he was greeted with "surprise", cheers and chorus of "Happy Birthday".
The well attended party featured speeches from family and friends. Many described Bill as a "hero" emphasizing his caring and compassionate nature, which has been manifested in his life through his radio shows and WhyHunger. His wife Jeannine thanked everyone for their hard work in planning the party while interspersing some KISS song references. Jeannine also mentioned how much WHY has shaped their lives over the years.
WHY has had many positive impacts in meeting the needs of the hungry and nurturing those who have worked for WHY. During the evening, Bill took the stage to thank everyone and to reflect. Ayres mentioned the major events that occurred in his life 35-years ago when founding World Hunger Year with Harry Chapin. In 1975, he also began his career as a midnight radio host, started the annual on-air Hungerthons with Pete Fornatale, and met his wife. Bill also emphasized gratitude and being thankful for the gifts in life. The crowd sang an alternate version of Happy Birthday with lyrics penned by Tom Chapin and sang to the traditional melody "Merry Widow Waltz".
Additional music was performed by friends of WhyHunger. The set included some of Bill's favorite songs and a few classics such as Harry Chapin's "Cats In The Cradle" re-worded to honor Ayres. Highlights included Jen Chapin singing the sentimental "Find Your Joy and Let It Show" that she wrote when she was carrying her son. Jen mentioned that the song was significant as Bill has been like a father to her. WhyHunger board member and indie musician Joe D'Urso performed "Be" that was also beautiful.
Laura and I both regularly listened to Bill on WPLJ as teenagers in the 1980's turning to his show for sound advice and guidance on a wide range of issues. It has been an honor and privilege to support WHY and Hungerthon for the past eight years through Kweevak.com and the "Rockin' Rich Lynch Radio Show" -- something we plan on continuing for as long as we can!
Bill Ayres is a light to those who know him and he is still going strong at seventy years young. If you are able to please honor Mr. Ayres' January birthday with a donation to WhyHungeWHYhunger.org - an organization that has been helping those in need for over three decades.
Happy Birthday (penned by Tom Chapin and sang to the traditional/melody "Merry Widow Waltz")
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
We love you.
Happy Birthday
And may all your dreams come true.
When you blow out the candles
One light stays aglow,
It's the love light in your eyes
Where'er you go.
Related Links:
For more information on WHY HUNGER and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links --
WHYhunger.org
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