The music that we've missed comes to mind first - and world events such as 911 would have touch deeply the the NY-based storyteller. I can imagine that he would have been the first to have put pen to paper, trying to capsulize that tragedy, and use his prodigious artistic power to bring very personal stories to the world.
I can't forget the good works that Harry was so involved in - the thousands of lives that he touched directly with his committment....his music....his love. Some of the causes that he campaigned for have faded after his death.... some are still going on. World Hunger Year is still out there, still trying to carry on Harry's message of compassionate and committed help for the hungry.
On this day, I mourn for the Chapin family as well. The time that they've lost with Harry can never be replaced. They have all carried on, making their own music, working for humankind. They, along with the rest of us, carry on Harry's unforgettable legacy.
Please go on, and read my Harry story. Harry was larger than life.....and he's also larger than death. We still miss him..........
In 2005, a new Harry Chapin video has been released.
My husband Jim and I were huge Harry fans. We were lucky enough to have seen him in concert several times. Each concert was mind-blowing, warm, fun, astounding, tear-producing and very memorable. Harry and the band in concert was an event not to be missed.
I first saw Harry on the Tonite Show. I was up late, nursing the baby, and was totally in awe of the raw power of the man. He did 'Sniper' on the show....a song about the sniper on the Texas university campus. It's a chilling song, full of sadness and anger. On the show that night, you could do nothing but watch....with mind and mouth open.
When I heard that Harry and the band were going to be appearing in Dayton, we knew we had to be there.
For some reason, and I still don't know why, I decided that I had to make a shirt for the man. I picked out a caftan pattern, one with embroidered designs around the neck, placket, shoulders and sleeves. I made the shirt in a soft, off-white kettle coth, and embroidered it in a burnt sienna thread.
The night of the concert, we tried to find someone to take the shirt to Harry. We finally found a student who seemed to be helping with the concert, and gave him the manilla envelope that held the shirt. Really, we figured we'd never see the shirt...or this guy....again.
When the concert started, we were amazed when Harry walked onstage wearing the shirt. Wow. I was crying. Jim was smiling.
After the concert, we went backstage to meet Harry. I got a hug that I will never forget. He was much taller than he looked, and he loomed over me. I was amazed during the hug, at how totally cool he was. Most people, when they come offstage after a concert, will be hot and sweaty. But Harry was cool as a cucumber and completely at ease. I remember thinking at the time, that he must have been comfortable on that stage. Lord knows he was. That was his element.
Years later, I saw a picture of him wearing that shirt in a music book of his songs. I was so happy. It showed him and the band standing beside a van. I imagined that it was taken the next morning...but who knows.
In later years, whenever he played Dayton, I would make another shirt. In all, I made four...the orignal white embroidered one.... a soft blue one with tucks down the front (with a regrettably floppy collar) (below), a blue one with 'Harry, keep the change...' embroidered on the pocket....and the final one.....full-tilt tailored, made of tattersall checked material with snappy white collar and cuffs. This last shirt was the one pictured in his obituary in the New York Times.
So - this new video shows footage of several television concerts....and show him wearing the embroidered shirt, and the blue tucked one.
It shows that he wore them.....more than just one time. He seemed to enjoy them. This is all I need to know.
Meanwhile, I'll just rewind this video again........pass the kleenexes........
[The video is:
Harry Chapin Remember When
The Anthology]
from www.mpihomevideo.com