Document Signed by Chapin Harry (1 results)

This American singer and songwriter blended rock with folk and pop. He first hit the big time in 1972 with "Taxi," a single in his first record album, "Heads & Tales." It became the most requested song of the year and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist of the Year. Asked once if the tale were true, he replied: "I went out and got a hack license for bread, and during the month that I was waiting for it to come through, I heard an old girlfriend of mine had gotten married and instead of becoming an actress, she married a rich guy. I envisioned some night I'd be driving a cab in the big city streets and this lady would get in the back, and I'd turn and look at her and she'd look at me and know we both sold out our dreams." He earned a second Grammy nomination in 1974 for "Cat's in the Cradle." In July 1981, while driving on the Long Island Expressway to perform at a benefit concert, he was killed in a car crash at age 38. DS, heavy stock 3 3/4" X 2½", Hunt Bay, NY, 16 October 1972. Near fine. Offered here is Harry Chapin's one and only "hack license," the taxi driver's license referred to in the above quote. Issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the State of New York, the license type is noted as "Chauffeur" and it was issued on 16 October 1972 and he signs boldly in full in blue ballpoint at the top. His birth date is noted ("12/07/42"), height given as 6'0" and eye color as "HA" (hazel), his home address on Locust Lane in Hunt Bay and the license's expiration date as "11/30/76." At this time Chapin's career took off, for he just signed on with Elektra Records and his debut album was released; it's doubtful he ever set foot in a taxi in any capacity other than as passenger. A remarkably direct link between the singer and his most famous song, this represents the most evocative Chapin memento imaginable.