Tracy Chapman

 Here's the first time she played it, at the 1988 Nelson Mandela 70th birthday concert.

How an Unscheduled, Last Minute Performance of “Fast Car” Shot Tracy Chapman to Stardom in 1988

https://www.openculture.com/2024/02/how-an-unscheduled-last-minute-performance-of-fast-car-shot-tracy-chapman-to-stardom-in-1988.html

"Chapman had already performed her 3‑song set at that day’s celebrity-studded Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert, sandwiched between Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie’s comedy act and prototypically 80s Scottish soft rockers Wet Wet Wet.

She had played:

 Why?

Behind the Wall

Talkin’ Bout a Revolution 

"The audience got to hear “Fast Car” thanks to the unwitting involvement of surprise guest Stevie Wonder.

The R&B great went to Wembley Stadium straight from the airport, unaware that his synclavier’s hard disc, containing all the synthesized music for his act, had not made the trip.

This colossal oversight was only discovered when he was heading toward the stage. Unwilling, or possibly too overwhelmed to come up with a workaround, he declined to go on, leaving organizers scrambling for an artist who could hustle to the mic to fill time.

Chapman and her solo guitar must have struck them as a technically uncomplicated solution.

No one can fault her for seeming a bit breathless at first. How often is an emerging singer-songwriter called upon to save the day by stepping into a legend’s shoes?"

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 Today's quote:

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

MAYA ANGELOU Yes I know it's valentine's day. Hope yours is full of love!!