" yes we have no banana's. We have no banana's today !"

Thank you Harry for remembering this man.
Sue | 03.30.05 - 2:58 pm | #

Sir
As a native of Scrantons South side.I remember the day,and the man in the truck.His name was Gene Seski.Mr Gene loved playing guitar and keeping an eye on neighbors kids.I know,he watched me and my brothers a few times for my parents.He would also walk across the parking lot in the snow in Hilltop Manor barefoot.He was my inspiration to become a truckdiver,which I am still today after 20 years.
Thank You for posting this.It brought back memories for me.

Thanks
Rich
Rich charles | 04.04.07 - 12:06 am | #

I just posted about the song on my blog, and was looking for more information.
what I found was that though Harry Chapin says "He was a young driver, Just out on his second job"
scranton's newspapers at the time said different.
"On March 18, 1965, on Moosic Street in Scranton, a tractor-trailer carrying 15 tons of bananas lost control in rush hour traffic, hitting cars, houses, and wire poles before crashing into a home. The driver, Eugene P. Sesky (35), was killed and over 15 people were injured."
Being curious.. I confirmed this with the drivers family....
Having found it was a real event, and that Harry Chapin sang about it and made it a joke less than ten years after he died, well, not so nice of him.
soubriquet | Homepage | 07.27.07 - 4:05 pm | #

Soubriquet: I can neither confirm nor deny your assertion that (on your blog) that Mr. Chapin promised proceeds to Mr. Seski's family.

I did not need to be reminded that the driver, Mr. Seski, perished in the accident; anyone who knows the lyrics knows the driver died.

I meant no harm to the driver's family, no more than did Mr. Chapin, I am certain.

I have posted many song lyrics on my humble blog; this post was just one of them. That you believe the song, itself, was not so nice is your right. Many, however, would likely disagree with you.

Thanks for visiting.
Charlie PA Tpk | Homepage | 08.02.07 - 11:07 am | #