Harry Chapin's biggest hit, 'Cat's in the Cradle,' turns 50, marked by tribute concerts, new documentary

Harry Chapin’s biggest hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with a series of live tribute shows and a new documentary on the song that features interviews with Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, Darryl McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. and others.

The Harry Chapin Band, which features the late singer’s brothers Tom and Steve Chapin, daughter Jen Chapin and nieces Abigail and Lily Chapin, has announced several U.S. shows, including in Westchester and New Jersey, but nothing yet on Long Island. A release date for the documentary has not been announced.

Originally released Oct. 1, 1974, “Cat’s in the Cradle” was based on a poem written by Chapin’s wife, Sandy Gaston, and inspired by her first husband. The song tells the story of a workaholic father who puts off spending time with his little boy, only to grow old and find that their roles have reversed. With its nursery rhyme refrain and powerfully emotional lyrics, the song rose to No. 1 in December 1974 and remained an FM radio staple for decades.

Chapin performed the song at the 1975 Grammy Awards ceremony. “Cat’s in the Cradle” has since been covered by a wide range of artists, including Judy Collins, Johnny Cash and Ugly Kid Joe, whose hard rock version reached No. 6 in 1993. Rapper McDaniels rewrote the song as "Just Like Me" — a nod to the original lyrics — and performed it with Sarah McLachlan on the 2006 single.

The song also helped Chapin establish a handful of charities to fight hunger, including WhyHunger, the Center for Food Action and Long Island Cares (also known as The Harry Chapin Food Bank), all of which still operate today.

Chapin, a longtime Huntington resident, died July 16, 1981. While driving on the Long Island Expressway to a concert in East Meadow, the singer's vehicle was involved in a collision with a truck. He died roughly an hour later at what was then the Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow.

“Cat’s in the Cradle” was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America this Oct. 1.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com@raferguzman