Harry Chapin: A Singer-Songwriter and Activist for Charitable Causes
Born on December 7, 1942, in New York's Greenwich Village, Harry Chapin was the son of a big-band drummer. His musical influence took hold at an early age, and he began playing the trumpet before switching to guitar. He joined his younger brothers, Tom and Steve Chapin, in a homegrown musical act that gained popularity in the folk era of the 1960s.
After a brief stint at the Air Force Academy and studying architecture and philosophy at Cornell University, Harry Chapin pursued a career in film-making. He directed the academy award-nominated film, Legendary Champions (1968),and later turned his attention to music.
In the 1970s, Harry Chapin joined Electra Records and produced several albums, capitalizing on his storytelling abilities. His first major hit, "Taxi," was one of the longest songs played on radio at the time. He also found time to produce Broadway shows and write songs for his brother Tom's children's TV series, "Make a Wish" (1970).
Other notable recordings include the hits "Cat's in the Cradle" and "W.O.L.D." As Harry Chapin's fame grew, he used his platform to support charitable causes and promote self-sufficiency. He convinced President Jimmy Carter to establish a Hunger Commission, and he formed his own organization, World Hunger Year, with Bill Ayres.
Harry Chapin and his band performed virtually every other concert to raise funds for the causes he supported. Tragically, his life was cut short in an automobile accident on the Long Island expressway in 1981.
