By now you have heard Pete Hamill has passed away. For the next few days I will pay tribute to my favorite writer.
I never got the chance to tell him but Pete was a huge inspiration to this novice writer. Over the years I have devoured his work. Studied him like a college student prepares for a final exam; books, articles and lectures. Pete was a fascinating man. A man’s man.
R.I.P. Pete…
‘A Drinking Life’ may just be my favorite memoir of all-time. Pete wrote about his days of growing up in Brooklyn and his battle with booze. His stories are riveting. On every page I felt like I was in the scene with him. He’s that good. I highly recommend you read this compelling book.
“There is no way that I could tell the story of the drinking without telling the story of my life. I learned much about being human and mastering a craft. Life doesn’t get easier when you walk away from the culture of drink. I started writing this book when some of my friends from the drinking life began to die.”
(Introduction; ‘The Drinking Life’, 1993)
-Steve Finamore
E-Mail: Hoops135@hotmail.com
CONTAINER DIARIES 
Gérard clifford said:
It’s sad to hear Pete Hamill died,in the old days great writers like Pete were one of a kind, now most stories are censored because people can’t deal with the content which is a little disturbing.rest in peace Pete.
Steve said:
Pete was the best. Gerard, you should read ‘A Drinking Life’.
Jimmyvac said:
Loved his writing. A Drinking Life and North River were great writing. RIP
Kathleen Nunziata said:
Gee, I had no idea Mr. Hamill died another great one has left us. God bless the Hamill family.
Kay
Al said:
Liner Notes.
For those old vinyl record albums we used to buy before CD’s swept over us. You know, those blurbs on a sheet of paper included inside the album—that most of us used to overlook and toss aside—written usually by promoters and mediocre celebrities, praising the record artist’s creation.
Who the hell ever read those?
Me. Once. Only because I noticed the name of the writer. Unwrapping Bob Dylan’s latest album, Blood on the Tracks, in 1975, I picked up the Notes off the floor and began reading what turned out to be some of the most trenchant and piercing words ever put to paper—on friggin’ liner notes.
As the tunes played on my old Fisher stereo and Garrard turntable I couldn’t believe how damned good the writing was. It was beyond good. It was great. To this day, it is one of the most beautiful, concentrated lyric poems extant.
Yup. Pete Hamill wrote it.
Wait. Who the f**k wins a Grammy for writing Liner Notes?
Pete Hamill.
Such was the transcendent quality of his talent.
RiP Mr. Hamill.
Steve said:
Thanks for sharing Al – that was cool.