Fifty years ago, on Tuesday, October 1st, 1974, Grammy-nominated folk singer Harry Chapin released the multi-generational hit “Cat’s In The Cradle.” By December of that same year, the song had skyrocketed to #1, and made Chapin a household name. Originally inspired by a poem written by his wife Sandy, “Cat’s In the Cradle” afforded Chapin newfound stardom that allowed him to launch WhyHunger, Center for Food Action and Long Island Cares, or The Harry Chapin Food Bank. Together, the charities help almost 2 million adults and children facing food insecurity each year in the U.S. and around the world.
Today the song has also been certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Each year, WhyHunger honors individuals for their commitment to helping to end hunger, presenting the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and running an annual Hungerthon campaign that educates the public and raises critical funds to end hunger in America. What originally began as a radio-driven Thanksgiving tradition in 1975, and hit airwaves across the nation each fall through partnerships with SiriusXM, Audacy NY, and iHeartMedia NY has since raised millions for the cause.
This year, in addition to the annual Hungerthon and in celebration of the song’s 50th anniversary, Chapin’s family has announced the release of a documentary about the making of “Cat’s In The Cradle,” as well as live tour dates for the Harry Chapin Band this fall. Stops include Tarrytown, NY, multiple shows in New Jersey, and more cities along the East Coast with a lineup including his brothers Tom and Steve Chapin, daughter Jen Chapin nieces Abigail and Lily Chapin, Big John Wallace, Howard Fields, Clark Wallace, Stephan Crump, Jamie Fox, and the newly added Arlen Hlusko on cello.
Artist and actor interviews in the documentary will come from Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, Judy Collins, Robert Lamm, Darryl McDaniels, Whit Crane from Ugly Kid Joe and more, plus clips of Johnny Cash and others performing the song. Stay tuned for more release plans and its official release.
Harry Chapin sold over 16 million records, had 14 hit singles, and garnered two GRAMMY nominations. In 1977 he was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger. He was posthumously awarded the GRAMMY President’s Merit Award in 1986 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1987. He was inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2006 and GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2011.
