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BILL WILSON - 20TH ANNIVERSARY - NEW YORK, NY 1954 This was recorded in 1954 and even though it's somewhat old, the recording was done very well; it's nice and clear. The occasion of this AA gathering was Bill Wilson's 20th Anniversary. Also on this recording are Lois Wilson and the Reverend Sam Shoemaker. Bill begins his talk by asking the question, "Who invented AA?" At the end of the talk he answers this question. Bill then tells a rarely heard personal story - the story of his last week-long drunk. He remembers that he had had a period of sobriety when he decided to go golfing on Staten Island. It was Armistice Day 1934. He struck up a conversation with a man on the bus who was carrying a rifle and was on his way to do some target shooting. The bus was involved in a slight traffic accident and while waiting for a replacement bus, he and his new friend headed for a bar across the street. Bill ordered a ginger ale and then proceeded to tell his friend all about his entire history with alcoholism. The man was very impressed with Bill's ability to resist drinking. They ended up going to a second "Hotel" when the bartender, in celebration of Armistice Day, sat down free drinks in front of Bill and his friend. Bill, without even giving it a second thought, gulped his drink down. Bill's new friend just looked at him in amazement and said, "Buddy, after what you just told me down the street, you have got to be crazy." The next thing Bill remembered was waking up on the floor of the front entranceway at his Clinton Street home, holding his golf bag and bleeding from a gash in his head. A week later, Ebby paid him his infamous sober visit. At one point, Bill eventually introduces Lois by stating that this is her anniversary as well as his. Lois says that this is one of the most moving experiences of her entire life. She speaks for a very short time but makes it very clear that she is not only grateful to the early AAs but also to everyone in attendance at this meeting. The Reverend Sam Shoemaker of the Calvary Mission tells of a small stained glass window right inside the Calvary Church entrance that is dedicated to the memory of Roland Hazzard. The meeting is closed with Reverend Shoemaker leading the group in The Lord's Prayer. Contents - 12 Tracks Length - 62 Minutes |
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