Harry Chapin Final Concert

Subject: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: khandu
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 09:10 PM

As I write this I am watching Harry Chapin's last concert on Mississippi ETV. I love the guys music and his wonderful story-telling lyrics! This is one fine musician that is sadly missed. Damn...has it really been that long?

khandu

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 09:16 PM

Wish I could see it. Never seen/heard him, but LOVE his brother Tom.

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: khandu
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 09:30 PM

Sorcha, you never even heard Harry!!!! I am shocked, shocked I say!

Tom is great, Harry is better!

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 09:38 PM

Yes, I know. I am shocked to the core to......Tom idolized Harry.

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 10:08 PM

khandu....We have a 'Catter who hasn't posted in awhile, but used to be pretty regular named CamiSu who was a neighbor and friend of Harry and his wife and kids. She too loved him and has told a few good stories here.

As for me, the two great losses of those times left us with less than we really need from them....Both fantastic talents with even posssibly there best work still ahead.....Harry and Jim Croce. Still love them both........

And yes my friend, it has been that long.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: khandu
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 10:17 PM

Yes, Spaw, both of them touched my heart many times. They still do. Hell, their fingerprints are all over my heart and mind. Both Jim and Harry were definitely one-of a-kind lyricists and musicians.

I am still watching Harry's last concert. He is very inspiring! Make's me want to get my guitar out and start writing!

khandu

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: harvey andrews
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 04:13 AM

Add Steve Goodman, Stan Rogers, Kate Wolf, Tim Hardin, Phil Ochs, all dead in their early years. Were they and Harry still alive the storytelling genre of songwriting would have a much higher profile. Imagine losing Pissarro, Monet, Renoir, Gaugin, Sisley at the same ages. Whither Impressionism?

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: pattyClink
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 09:06 AM

Caught the last 20 minutes. Wow, now I see why he had such devoted fans. One of a very rare breed. A writer, a showman, a bard, a mensch, a person who could pull so many people along on an emotional journey. Just when you thought it was at a perfect end, he takes HIS encore and turns it into the Band's, getting everyone to take a little turn at a verse. A hesitant, not-too-good-at-singing yet Tom Chapin, and everybody else in their turn. I know everybody introduces their band to the audience, but this was more like a proud papa helping his little musician brood step out of the nest and show their wings.

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 09:19 AM

I spoke with Tom the other night.   He told me that he is getting together with his brother Steve, members of Harry's band, Harry's dad Jim (an incredible drummer), and Tom's and Harry's daughters to put together a series of concerts early next year. It should be a wonderful event. When I get more details I will post it.

Last fall Steve, Tom and Harry's band got together for a couple of "reunion" concerts. It was as much of a reunion for the band as it was for the audience. I caught one and the magic of Harry's music is still there. I saw Harry at least a dozen times before his untimely passing. There was nothing to match his concerts. He is sorely missed.

Ron

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 05:03 PM

I saw Harry in concert at the University in Tucson AZ. Just Harry and guitar, no band. He was on a revolving stage in a small auditorium so everyone was up close and personal. It was a great concert. Only time I saw him live.
Rustic

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: olddude
Date: 30 Aug 09 - 01:52 AM

I miss you Harry, I miss your laughter and your silly jokes that never made sense.   I miss how you made people smile with your music, I miss how you would treat everyone as a friend no matter how much money that had or didn't have. You never care Harry how someone looked, what their race was or where they were from. You hand was always out to welcome everyone.

when you got famous Harry, you kept your promise that whatever it took you would never stop spreading the message about hunger and poverty. You gave half of everything you had to help people that were in need. You didn't talk the talk, you walked the walk.

Your phone Harry was always open. Success never changed you , people would call your house that you never met and you would still talk to them.

How your eyes would light up when you talked about the kids. How you would laugh when people would say your song sucked so you made a t-shirt saying "Harry it sucked" and sell them to raise money for the hungry.

How every moment on stage no matter how many times was always a wonderment for you. Like a child at Disney Land that you never took for granted. How you never stopped thanking folks for coming to see you.

The old car Harry that you would never retire because it would waste money that someone in need could use. How you treated those who were not kind or good with gentle compassion and a prayer that they may someday change.

I miss you Harry - my friend

Subject: RE: Harry Chapin Final Concert
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 30 Aug 09 - 02:40 AM

I recall the night back in 1977 when I was an english major at Eastern Michigan University. Since I was a musician, and wrote for the campus newspaper, our editor sent me out to do concert reviews and interviews when I could get them. On this particular night one of the paper photographers and myself headed out to a Harry Chapin
concert to see what we could conjure up.

To make a wonderful story short, Harry was better than an hour late due to some helicopter problem and when he came out he apologized and announced that he would be doing an extra long show to make up for his being late. Well, he hid a three-hour show, then went out to sign autographs for about an hour, and then, found time to spend forty-five minutes doing an interview with a writer from a small state university newspaper who found a way to get backstage despite security. Through it all, he was just nice; very, very nice. I will never forget him, his songs, and the advice that he gave to me as a performer, which I continue to pass along today when I do festival workshops. Thanks, Harry - may you live forever.
Cheers,.................mwh