A Tribute to Harry Chapin at Carnegie Hall 

When I turned eighteen my girlfriend bought us a pair of tickets to see Harry Chapin who was performing at his home on Long Island to raise money for his town library. I was an aspiring songwriter at that time. When we got to Harry's home, there were perhaps sixty people there. Harry was sitting cross-legged outside on the side of his home performing some new songs. Before he began the last song, he said that it was not yet finished but that he wanted to play as much as he had already completed. After the performance, I casually suggested to him that he invert two lines so that the song could develop from where that idea would take him. He immediately agreed and understood the implication of my suggestion. I thought nothing more about it until a little bit later Harry approached me and asked me if I was a songwriter. I told him , yes. He then asked me if I would like to join his songwriter's workshop that he held in his living room about once every other month. I enthusiastically said yes! So, for the next couple of years I would go to Harry's house. Josh was two years old at that time and would crawl around on the floor. Sandy would make us all tea. There were about six or seven of us there. Harry's brother, Tom, would be there too. I recall he had some great children's songs. Anyway, Harry was the first adult person to really express to me a belief in my talents and abilities. And for that, I will always be grateful. Now, I am sixty six and Harry has never left my heart...

We need folks like Harry Chapin now more than ever.

Met Harry at O’Hare on a shared flight to OKC. He (his young son along) was going to perform that night. He asked if they could sit by me. He asked me, (22 at the time) where I was from and how was it going. He talked about life and how short it is. That is why he was bringing his young son along. They were laughing. He asked if music could change the world, told him that, thru him, it already has. Humble, polite and caring: an example for me the rest of my life. Thank you, Harry.

I saw Harry the first time in 1972 at the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta. I saw him every year until just before he died in 1981. He would come out after every show and talk, sign autographs. I still have a tee-shirt that's autographed and embordered, "You could always count on the cheap seats." I've been playing guitar for more than 50 years and my style was influenced by his style. No pick and the E string turned down to D. Corey's Coming was the hardest for me to learn. I miss him and listen to him often and always will. All his songs touched me and usually ended with a touch of hope.

Harry Chapin was my first concert. I was 13. I'm now 67 and I love his music as much as I did then.

I saw him 5 times in person, all in Chicago. Cried when I heard he died. My favorite performer.

We need more Harry Chapin's!!!

I remember sitting on the steps of my college gym talking to Harry about life during his break practicing for the nights performance. I will never forget him.What a awesome person!

Every time I hear one of Harry's songs I always get a lump in my throat & tears in my eyes. He was the embodiment of Humanity & exuded this in all aspects of his life. The world needs so much more of this kind but it seems only the very few are capable of this. Harry understood that we are all one on this spinning Blue Ball and that we all deserve to be cared for as humans. I look forward to speaking with him in the ethereal realm. We will always love you, Harry, thank you for your words & your humanity.

I've been going through some really difficult times. Every nice and pull out my phone, I did it when I was in the hospital almost 60 days and I do it now at home. I listen to his music, sometimes for hours, and start to feel better. To feel like myself. Somehow it takes some of the pain away

I met him once at a meet & greet that he used to do after his concerts. I got to speak to him ... I said "I am in awe of your capacity to create a 400 page novel and put it into a 3 minute song" He smiled and said "Thank you"

You go to a concert...and everyone knows all the words to all the songs and he sings along with you...so good 50 years and the memories are still strong

Harry wrote poetry and put it to simple melodies. It was the words that made his songs so meaningful.

Do you know how to tell if someone has a really good heart and cares about humanity? If they're a longtime fan of Harry Chapin's music, that's how.

Fortunate enough to have met Harry several times. No words can describe this mind boggling workaholic. A 'Type A' x 10. Energy ? He's been gone 41 years I've never met anyone like him. A force of nature. A 6 foot 1 - 190 pound hurricane.

I grew up listening to Harry. I consider myself blessed to have worn out so many tapes of his. Yes. TAPES. Happiest times in my life.

Harry is such an icon feeding so many, he’s a miracle.

Loved this man's music ❤

O, thank you. That was extraordinarily beautiful. His family there and singing, Richie Havens, I love you. So much love he instigated in the world. Thank you so much, Harry💚

I am 68 and twice saw Harry perform in Calgary in the 1970s. I have seen hundreds of wonderful concerts featuring great musicians since, but not one gave me more sheer pleasure than seeing Harry on stage and the joy he brought to it. I am still moved when I play is music, and saddened that we lost him too early. The great storytelling songwriter of our generation, in my opinion. Every song is like a movie or a novel.

Best regards from Germany to the USA. It's nice that you can still hear such a good tribute concert nowadays. Since I became aware of the songs of H. Chapin, this extraordinary great songwriter in 1974 on the AFN radio station and also got hold of his records, I like to listen to his great songs again and again. It is a pity that such a very valuable person was allowed to live only for such a short time. But his wonderful songs remain (for me) unforgotten! - Many thanks for this tribute concert recording. Greetings again!

That DJ song was amazing. Don't know the singer with the red scarf but omg his voice really did the song justice.

An awesome concert honoring this fine singer, songwriter and humanitarian!

I met Harry and John Denver at a University in Denver. He was very committed to ending hunger. Both of them were awesome people.

My heart warms and breaks. So beautiful. I am going to cry now.

He came to wvu . It was just him and his guitar. What a great concert that was. Glad I got to see him

Thank you for posting this. I dearly loved Harry's music (since the early 70s) and the fact that he was always totally committed. I've never seen this tribute. Again, thank you.

Never had the opportunity to see this amazing Saint...thank you for the music Harry& the memories..hope my late partner who did get to witness you..are together in Heaven..

This is great music and people‼️. I trust many many many more will experience the extraordinary man, Harry Chapin and ALL honoring him. 🙏🏼♥️🌏🌺 LOVE to YOU …

Harry s music always enchants me.

I remember seeing this on TV; thanks for posting. Much appreciated.

Harry Chapin will always be an incredible figure in human history. His songs and life tell a gospel of true grit, true pain and true joy. The critics couldn't handle the reality and pain he brought to light within us all. However, they couldn't stop him. I was born in 1974 and was blessed to see Chapin several times in concert as he toured the midwest. If not for Harry's magic I would not know how to find the joy in the midst of tears or find my heart, in the midst of fears. I would have never dreamed of being an ordinary plumber capable of putting out the fires of this world. If not for Harry I would have never believed that while I spoke in an unknown language I would find someone to translate every word. I can't imagine a day not knowing the realities that my life is like a circle and inspite the bends in the road, I'm good until the dead end. I truly couldn't thank Harry enough for allowing me to be annoyed by a stranger only playing a few chords of music in that I would learn the magic of partnership. In my late 40's now I know that when I sing the songs the minstrels sang and tell the jokes the jesters told, it won't matter... cause truly there is only so much variation to a life's story. Harry helped me learn that beginnings and endings have a commonality that can only be found deep in the heart. In that small variation it's a heart that never stops feeling the pain of the lips it never kissed and all the trips it missed. In closing, I learned that even my most carefully chosen words sometimes go to hell and sometimes my most flippant have served me well. With how magical he truly was I wonder what might have been had he longer to live. On the flip side, could he have become so powerful in life as he did in death? Chapin might say perhaps just as well. Jesus had to go on a cross for us and a music man will burn.... To those who have experience Harry like me, you know I can no longer see through the puffy tear streaked eyes. I truly love you Harry, all of it. Thank you.

Love that The Hooters are part of this all-star line-up.

It's fitting Pete Seeger, one of Harry's heroes, was on stage singing along when they did the Chapin Family Anthem "All My Life's A Circle"

Harry Chapin, FOREVER, One of THE BEST of the VERY BEST. We love and miss you, Harry.

I was honored to see Harry perform at the Front Row near Cleveland.

Thank you for posting this.

Incredibly beautiful night… for an amazing man .. left us 40 years too soon..🤍🧡💚🤎

What a night. Harry Chapin's experience through all these great singers and musicians. Harry was sincere in his soul and his music will live in all our hearts 💕 RIP Harry Chapin!!

Harry should still be with us...what a guy.

I heard Taxi on the radio today. Harry was a brilliant song writer and singer.

I saw him twice in Grand Rapids, Mi! He was then and still is a big influence in my musical life! I will always miss him!! ❤️🙏🏻👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻

This has blessed my life so very much. Thank you. I had concert tickets to see Harry, but the concert was cancelled when he passed. It was one of my greatest regrets to not have seen him live. His music touched my soul somewhere deep, so this is greatly appreciated.

The greatest story teller in song ever

Cats in the craddle my Harry's favourite song!!!

saw him in concert many yrs ago. unforgettable. effusive personality. inclusive to the audience. always seemed so personable. family man. plus his stories hit you in the heart remarkably. miss him greatly. luckily we have him on disc and he will live on forever. needless to say, his commitment to world hunger has made me and others do volunteer work to help those in need. thanks for all that he accomplished.

Thank you for posting! Harry's Harry Chapin Greatest Stories Live double album was a regular play on my turntable before I finally had a chance to see him. The first time was a solo show at a 3K seat venue in Savannah, GA in 1979. The other was for my birthday in early 1981 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with the full band. I met him in the lobby after the show in Savannah. He signed my ticket. I still have it. What a shock it was to learn of his tragic death just a few months later. This show is amazing! The talented artists who covered Harry's songs in this tribute-fund raiser really knocked it out of the park! Thanks again for posting, Remember When The Music I always will. Thank you, Harry, for your timeless stories. They have soothed my soul through all these years.

Pat Benetar's rendition of Shooting Star was spot-on perfect..Wow.

Three thousand views and no comments? Crazy. Thank you so much for posting this! Seeing Pat Benetar perform Shooting Star was beautiful.

Harry Chapin and his music 🎶 were FANTASTIC ❤❤

A great tribute to a fantastic musician and song writer. 😍

After first hearing "Taxi" on the radio about 1972. I bought my first Harry Chapin record in 1976, "Greatest Stories Live", and was hooked. I bought everything I could find after that. His music was a major part of the sound track of my youth. For me, on hearing that Harry had died in a car crash in 1981, that was "The day the Music Died". Bought this Tribute Concert on cassette in 1988. It was great to hear renditions of his songs by others. The story from Pat Benatar on how she became a Rock musician under Harry's influence, and her beautiful rendition of "Shooting Star". Then there's Bruce Springsteen story of first meeting Harry before singing "Remember When the Music". Harry was a master storyteller and he has been missed!

I love this!! Just great heartfelt music! It is great to see and hear Pete Seeger , an icon from my childhood and peace marches on Washington

The song Springsteen sang was perfect for him. Sounded like something Bruce would have written. Good call Sandy!

We were there at his final Concert Performance , Hamilton Place 1981, Singer Song Writer, Story Teller & Humanitarian.

Richie Havens just own that song, amazing

This is such an unknown song, except to Harry fans, that I want to thank you for this. It means that other people have been touched by this song, as I have. I play and sings this too, glad to have a like soul. 😊

Wow, your a lucky person❤️ Thanks for sharing❤️

Saw him - before he sang he said’ this is going to be the best day of my life’ he was so ‘real’

Pat beneatar doing harry chapping? Wow!

I wish I could give this video 10 or 20 "likes"

Love it

SUCH A GREAT GATHERING OF FRIENDS OF HARRY. I HOPE U R OK, SANDY AND KIDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HARRY MEANT SO MUCH TO ME. I SAW HIM AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN TORONTO, THNK U MUSICIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful rendition by Judy Collins and the band.

Nash, there is no parallel. Carnegie Hall most astounding.

i saw him at ontario place it was raining and he call everybody into the stage out of the rain it was like a sing song around the campfire it was great

ritchie performing wold is sublime

Harry's stories.... ❤

Shooting star was meant for Pat Benetar. The roughness of her voice compliments the music like Harry wrote it for her to sing

Pat Benatar killed it!

Remembering "A Tribute to Harry Chapin" which first ever aired as part of KPBS' August 1991 Membership Campaign, then it was followed by "Harry Chapin: You Are The Only Song" a 1980 concert where Harry Chapin is performing, Circa August 24, 1991!!

Love this

In deep heart...memory .

I hate to say this, but what I still feel after all these years is anger. About fifty years since I first saw him perform, I still think of the senseless way we lost a great songwriter/storyteller.

Happy Birthday Harry. I used to have a haunted CD player in my car. This was the only CD it would play. You could buy any brand new CD and it would spit it out. I didn't replace it until it was stolen.

I will never ever forget the day he passed away. The long island expressway in his vw bug

Had to stop listening at cats in the cradle, that song, and Roses Are Red are too hard for me😊

Vagaries and Balderdash. I loved him so.

Bruce wasn't depreciating. He was telling a story.

He died while I was on my honeymoon almost had to come home

Hundreds of unwritten songs--- so very very sad.

BOB IS ONSTAGE @ 1:16:12!!!!! OMG!!!!!! ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS!!!!!!

Very sad to see John Denver doing the promo for PBS . Two of the absolute best go e too soon.

all the hope he gave us😂

She can make them Holy. Tell us about it Harry....And Pat.

Checkout Lee Hazlewood rendition of TAXI...and A BETTER PLACE TO BE......Also William Shatner has a crack at TAXI..

Уж как Гарри пел, с душою в глазах...А Джуди, хоть и классно поёт, технически правильно, но без души. Это мое мнение.

Hope you kept her

Judy Collins !!!! Too much editorial on 'Cat's in the Cradle.' Drives me crazy when people change the word. Words have meaning. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I loved Harry Chapin and his music and felt heartbroken when he died, but cannot agree that he was the best story teller song writer. John Prine will forever be that and no one will ever be as good as John. Evocative story telling was John Prine’s forté. Following John for story telling lyrics, but not melodys, was Shel Silverstein. ❤❤❤ one for each 😢😢😢

IS THAT PATTI LABELLE @ 1:18:11? OMG!!!!!!

Facing ones bullshit always happens in a cab Harry the only hack makes them words true L&R

but still not in R'n hall of fame

I liked Judy Collins version of the Cats

Saw❤❤❤❤ met ❤❤❤❤ auttograph only ask please don’t take photo

I had just completed 23 years in the Navy submarine force. When I heard about Harry’s accident and death I cried like a baby. What a great human being. I miss him so.

Harry was the best!! Miss him so much.

It is truly sad to recall the loss of great singer songwriters, activists and humanitarians, like John Denver and Harry Chapin. True visionaries. Both of these artists help shape my life in so many way as well as my thinking of humanity, where we are, what it can be and the work that we need to do. I am just seeing this tribute to Harry. Takes me back to the last 3 concerts he did in the MD, PA area shortly before (april Nov1980 and May 81) his fatal car crash on the Long Island Exchange on July 16 1981. Damn we miss you Harry! Wish you were still here!

I didn't care for Julie Collin's rendition of Cats in the Cradle, but I loved Pat Benatar's rendition of Shooting Star.

Harry was a personal friend and neighbor. Harry was much bigger than his music, he was a movement. His legacy of fighting world hunger will be a forever tribute to his kindness and vision. He was a true humanitarian. His music, of course, is beautiful and enduring. RIP HC.