Today I released an episode that took a look back at the life and career of the one and only Tracy Chapman. She’s been on my list to do a show on for quite some time and as I was starting my research, I realized that I didn’t know much about her even though I have been listening to her music for over 30 years. I figured a lot of people may also be in that same boat, so here are 5 things you may not know about Tracy Chapman.
1. Chapman was born on March 30, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio to parents George and Hazel Chapman. Her dad was older and more educated than her mother, as she did not have her HS diploma at the time they got together. They hoped by getting married their lives would be more fruitful but unfortunately, it wasn’t. When Chapman was just 4 years old, her parents divorced.
2. Chapman grew up with her mother and older sister in a predominantly black and working-class neighborhood called South Broadway in Cleveland, Ohio. She was raised as a Baptist. At a young age, she learned how to play the organ and clarinet, she would play along with her sister Aneta, who would sing. Her mother gave her a ukulele when she was just 3 years old. In elementary school, Chapman taught herself how to play the guitar. This is rumored to have been inspired by her watching the classic television show Hee-Haw. Perhaps her mother showed her a few pointers as she too could play the guitar. Her mother also had a beautiful singing voice. She sang in church and at weddings.
3. When Chapman was 16 years old, she won a scholarship to attend an Episcopalian boarding school in Connecticut through a program called “A Better Chance.” It helps identify non-white students who are academically gifted and who demonstrate leadership skills.
4. Her debut album, Tracy Chapman, was released in 1988, and sold over 6 million copies, selling 1 million of those in just the first week. Despite not getting a ton of airplay on the radio, the album was and is incredibly successful and popular. Fast Car was one of the last songs she wrote for this album. Whenever she performs live, Fast Car is always on the setlist.
5. Chapman has expressed her discomfort with being in the spotlight and as a result, is noted for being a private person. She lives a relatively quiet life in San Francisco. She has also stated that she does not have any social media accounts, at least she didn’t as of a few years ago. If you think about it though, it’s completely understandable. After all, she released her debut album, shortly after graduating from college and it was a smash hit. She went from being a talented college student playing in coffee shops to having an incredible debut album, there wasn’t much time to adjust.
