Harry, It Sucks!
Pictures of Harry Chapin
What I hope this page becomes, and what it really becomes, depends a lot upon how lucky I am. I would like to do interviews with each of Harry's old band members to get their perspective on things. To start things off, I present an interview with Howie "Cold Sticks" Fields, who was Harry's drummer for six years. You'll also find other interesting (hopefully) stories, remembrances, tales as time permits. As always you're free to email me anything that you would like included on this page.
Though this turned out to be a short lived idea of mine, here are the three issues that we did publish. If you missed anything in "era" here's where you can catch up.
Harry's lead guitarist for the first four albums and a very friendly and openly honest man. Ron and I conducted this interview over several weeks, and the insight that he gives to his time during Harry's early record-making career is a rare peice of history.
Click here to read the full interview.
Harry's drummer, from 1975 until Harry's death, graciously agreed to answer a few questions about his life and times when touring with Harry. We all know how grueling Harry's concert schedule was, but here's some inside information from a man that what there for over 800 concerts!
Click here to read the full interview.
I remember that day in almost excruciating detail. I had to wait a while before I could write this story of that day in 1981 when I heard the news of Harry's death. I really felt like I had lost someone close to me (though I wasn't on the Chapin's Christmas Card list or anything!) and it is still hard for me to remember that day in July without tears. Give 'em Hell, Harry!
On this sad but special day a lot of Harry Chapin fans sent in their comments for Harry. It was quite touching to read them, let alone assemble them from fans and friends.
Sure, it's been almost twenty years since Harry died. Which, to the selfish among us, means we aren't going to get any Harry Chapin songs. But, there's still some things that we can do to honor the memory of this man that we loved so much.
Click here to read this story.
Over the years, I have seen Harry in concert (and Elvis at a doughnut shop in Des Moines) four times. They were some of the greatest times I had growing up. This page is a brief recollection of who, when, where and other things I might remember as I write the page.
Click here to read this story.
This is this paper's report of Harry's death in their July 17, 1981 edition. Though not exactly what I would call a "glowing" review of Harry's life and career, it was pretty typical of the coverage that I've seen. Not a single mention of any of his humanitarian work!?
Click here to read this story.
In 1977 and 1978 I attended the University of Iowa, I was in my sophomore year and had made a bunch of friends at the dorm. The group of 10 to 15 of us, hung out all of the time. We used to have "wine and cheese" parties in the park that consisted of Mad Dog 20/20 and Kraft American Cheese Slices...
Anyway, Harry had booked a concert there and I talked everyone into going with me and bought 12 or 13 tickets. Harry cancelled a week before the show I was crushed and returned the tickets so everyone could have their money back.
One of my friends "liberated" one of the many concert posters that had been hanging all over campus, and gave it to me. Now, that poster is framed and hanging on the wall in my office. No offers please, I wouldn't sell this for all the money in the world.
Click here to view larger image.
You knew that this web page would have to get narcissistic at some point, right? But I've had a couple people ask about me and my life and how I got so into Harry Chapin music. So here's a brief history of my history.
Click here to read this story.