Memories of Dan Hartman

Kathy Hartman

What are your earliest memories of Dan?

Earliest memories of Dan are hearing his Led Zeppelin records from my crib. I could also hear him playing along with them.  It's a little vague but I can still remember that.

At what point did your family realise that he was going to make it big in the music industry?

We knew he had the ability to make it big for a long time, at two years old he fell off the piano stool after playing a few notes of Chopin, after a short amount of piano lessons his teacher told my dad not to waste any more of his money because Dan already surpassed what she  could teach him. Then he sold a song to Chevrolet at the age of sixteen and went  to New York to hear it recorded. When Dan quit his job at the bank to devote all his time to the Legends, he was already making more money with the Legends in one night than he made at the bank in a month. But after the Legends did their concert at the University of Pennsylvania Dan received a call from CBS records, then it was for sure he was on to something really big.

Your Dad featured on the Images album, how did that come about? Was your Dad in the music industry?

My dad was a really good whistler but I think that was all he was involved with. My dad was not in the music industry but he did  play instruments such as the saxophone. He also played a horn for the Masons's  band.

How many brothers and sisters did Dan have?

The whole world was Dan's brothers and sisters but Dave and I are his only maternal siblings.

Can you tell us more about Dave and Dan in the Legends? How did the band start off?

My dad could tell you better how the whole thing started. I think Dave actually started it.

Is it true that Dan was drafted for Vietnam? Did he actually go out there?

You'll have to ask my dad that one too. I don't think Dan was ever drafted. Dave went into the service and that's when Dan took over the Legends.

Who do you think were Dan's earliest musical influences?

Dan's earliest influences were bands such as Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles.

Do you have a favourite song, written by Dan?

Frankenstein is still one of my favorite songs overall. The musicianship was tremendous on that song. It still amazes me. It  has very strong melodic content and feel.

Dan dedicated New Green Clear Blue to you - can you tell us more about this?

One reason is because of my eyes. The song is about  finding ones inner-self and making the most of it. He felt I was still looking for my inner self. Dan used to give talks at colleges on this very subject.

Did you ever play music together?

He wrote some songs for me to sing which we  recorded together. I was at both of these places, I used to live at  Multi-Level with him.

What were Dan's other interests?

Dan loved painting. He also loved doing things for other people. He would go into the city and rent a clown outfit, then go  to a hospital with his guitar and entertain sick children.

How did your family feel when Dan made the big time with the Edgar Winter Group, and later as a solo artist? 
How was your family affected by his fame?

Our family remained pretty much the same. I don't think his fame effected our personal lives very much.

Do you still keep in touch with his friends and colleagues from the music industry?

Once in a while one of the guys from the Legends will call but other than that no. Tell Chuck Ruff I would like to hear from him.

You now have your own band - how much were you influenced by Dan and his music?

His spirit and energy are still alive and well. Yes he has influenced me even though my music is very different form his. I would love to have his ability. I often wonder what it would be like if he were here.

Photo/Artwork by: John Zortman JZPhotoArt@aol.com

Many thanks to Kathy Hartman for her kind co-operation with this article, and to Rusty Newcomer.

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