Helping make this " A Better Place To Be"

It was 25 years ago today that we lost one on my musical heroes.

His name was Harry Chapin and although far from a household name he was a truly amazing man who put his time , efforts and money where his mouth was by helping those people less fortunate than himself. His appearance fees from 50% of his concerts each year were given to charity.

Unfortunately Harry was never fully appreciated or understood on this side of the Atlantic. His songs were often dismissed as being flights of fancy or overly sentimental. In fact they are full of wry insight and a glorious cynicism which reflected Harry's attitude to both society and the music industry.

In the mid 1970's Chapin focused on his social activism, including raising money to combat hunger in the United States and co-founding the organization World Hunger Year. This was 10 years before the world had even heard of Band Aid!!

His songs told stories of the lives of everyday people and were set to amazing music. He is truly one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever in my humble opinion. He is also responsible for the title of this blog as it was a catch phrase he used when thanking an audience for there participation and warmth towards him.

See this fan site for further information >http://harrychapin.com/.

Harry was buried in the Huntington Rural Cemetery, NY. The epitaph on his gravestone is taken from his song "I Wonder What Would Happen To This World." and is perfect:-

If a man tried
To take his time on Earth
And prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth
I wonder what would happen to this world.

Why are we here if not to make some kind of difference to our fellow man? Be this on a personal level with our friends and family or in a global way.

Harry was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in 1987 for his campaigning on social issues, particularly his highlighting of hunger around the world and in the United States. His work on hunger included being widely recognized as a key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977.

1981 was responsible for two events which literally changed my life.

One was 13 May when I saw Bruce Springsteen at Manchester Apollo and realised the power of live music at it's best and what it was capable of making you feel.

The second was Harry's death on 16 July. He played Manchester Apollo in January 1981 as part of his tour for Sequel. For reasons unknown I decided not to go and see him as I would catch him next time. Alas there was not to be a next time. I will forever regret this decision as I never got to see him live.

That is why to this day I continue to go and see anybody who takes my fancy and never think "I'll go next time".

Harry, we miss you.