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I got into this business because I wanted to BE Pete Hamill. I kept columns of his taped to the wall of my apartment and over my desk at work. I ripped him off wholesale. He’s why I wanted to work at a NYC tab and he guided everything I did as a young newspaper reporter. https://twitter.com/NYDailyNews/status/1290995852769669120
Pete and my father were very close in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, but they had a falling out before I was old enough to remember. Never got a straight answer why. But I knew enough stories about their days at the Lion’s Head to know any story was plausible.
When I was born my mother brought me back to our apartment in Brooklyn and found it half-painted, with empty beer cans and vodka bottles everywhere and my dad and Pete passed out in the living room. She was not pleased.
I hadn’t seen him in 20 years, but when I graduated from journalism school I called Pete. He had me come to his apartment in the Village (although I had to wait because his dog, Gabbo, somehow got on the elevator by himself).
He connected me with just about every editor in town. Whatever the issue with my father, he didn’t mention it. When I ended up at the Daily News years later, Pete was still there. We were colleagues. He sent me a written note about my work that I treasure.
As long as I’ll live I’ll hold Pete Hamill as the standard for the sense of romance and courage needed to survive in journalism. He also taught me that I could live this life without drinking, and I’ll always be grateful for that, too.
