I became a fan of Harry Chapin’s in 1972 when the song “Taxi” came out. I was 14 years old at the time and living on Long Island.
I bought a copy of the single “Taxi” on 45 (I think “Greyhound” may have been on the flip side) and wore that sucker out. I eventually bought all of his albums that I could find (on cassette – which I of course also wore out) and was lucky enough to see him perform twice in concert in Florida in 1979 and 1980 (I moved to Florida in 73).
Although I was a big fan of Harry’s, I was not at the time aware of how much of a humanitarian he was.
I still remember exactly where I was when on July 16, 1981, while driving home from work, that Harry had died. I nearly had to pull off of the road myself.
I continued to listen to Harry’s music and was delighted to find the large number of fans on the internet a few years ago. I am grateful to Jason for putting up such a fabulous Harry Chapin Fan Page and message board.
I was lucky enough to meet some of the other fans at the 1997 and 1998 Harry Chapin Tribute concert on Long Island benefiting Long Island Cares, the “Remembering Harry Chapin” concert by John McMenamin in 1997, and the November 1997 Steve Chapin Band concert at the Bottom Line to benefit World Hunger Year and to commemorate the release of the Harry Chapin Bottom Line CD.
After returning to Houston from the July 1997 Long Island Cares (the Long Island food bank founded by Harry Chapin) tribute concert to Harry, I was inspired by to see if I could help out with the Houston Food Bank. Since August of 97, I have volunteered at the Food Bank at least twice a month plus helped out with most of their special events (food drives, etc). I also got my company to sponsor two volunteer days at the Food Bank. I would never have got involved if it were not for Harry. Now, I would never give it up and I was all because Harry said “Do Something”.
I am very grateful that Harry had lived and I miss him. However, I believe the circle is still going round.
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