memories from (my uncle) Steve Chapin

by Jen Chapin

Jul 23, 2022

Ah yes. . . Henry.  Always a hot experience for me at Manny's.

It was there in the 70's (Harry with albums and Tom on tv with 
Make a Wish), that he referenced me as the "no-talent Chapin" 
one occasion while Tom and I were shopping there - it was 
actually very funny at the time, a Rodney Dangerfield moment. 
                                           
But for the next two decades, every time I would drop $5K a pop 
for PA equipment, TEAC recorders, ADAT machines, Mackie boards, 
outboard gear, computer stuff, etc., I would make a point of teasing
him back - " Hey Manny . . . I mean Henry -  ya seen any checks this 
big recently from the talented Chapins?"  He would smile knowingly
at what by then had become our private one-liner.
Side story to the obit story:  While Harry was playing Taxi (as yet
unrecorded) for Henry at the store, halfway through he took a call, 
and then returned to the ongoing performance - just before making
the quoted comment in the  [NYT] obit.
For the record:
It was Abby Forbes Chapin who originally
charmed the Goldrich family starting in
1946-7 while she was handling the business
end of her son "Jimmy"'s new book on coordinated 
independence.  She was dealing with name-sake 
Manny himself.  By the time Henry took over, the 
Chapin reputation was already formed by Grandma, 
who always left incredible and indelible impressions 
on all she touched.