Father,
When I was a kid, I would fall asleep with a transistor radio. I would listen to old radio shows, and the 24 hour news radio. I grew up in Los Angeles. Pico and Vermont area. Back then, they called it South Central L.A.. Radio was always an escape for me. I came from a troubled home, almost exactly like the one you have described from your own life. Radio gave me friends I didn’t have. Interesting people to listen to, and topics to be entertained and educated by. I first heard you when you worked at KFI. As a young fan, I remember standing by the station ( on Ardmore if I remember correct) and hoping I would see you come out the door. I respected your opinions, not like a sycophant, but from a guy who admired intelligent free thinking people.
I learned a lot about politics from you back then, but what I really learned was how to talk. Living in Los Angeles as you do, you will know what I mean by the LA gang banger accent. That’s how I spoke. By listening to you, I would speak slower, I would enunciate my words and think before I spoke. I have followed your career for years. I even saw you once on the subway when you lived in Boston as I had moved there with my “girlfriend” at the time. I was too much in awe to even say Thank You. It was like being in front of the father, I never had. On this day, your anniversary of The streamed version of The Tom Leykis Show. I say thank you father. I mean that with all respect.
I have learned so much from you. I emulated the orphan’s thanksgivings, I have read books you suggested, and in turn, learned a lot about myself. As a kid, I was a really angry person. I had my reasons. I wanted to beat everyone up because of that anger. I learned from you that success was the best revenge. That mindset to succeed, made me slow down. Made me think clearer. Made me focus. I owe that partly to you. I didn’t have a father that cared, so I always heard you voice when I needed advice, even if it was really just me saying it.
We all measure success in different ways. For my mother, success was for me not to ever go to jail. I measure success, in a different way. Believe me, I got my revenge, in the proper way. My father is long dead, and like you, I did not attend his funeral. In turn, I gained a better father. You. My real father just beat me, but you kicked my ass, the way a true father does. Again, thank you. For those that really listen to you, we have gained a lot.
One thing that I really love about the new show, is how you have helped create a great family of listeners. We tune in every week to hear our “boys” and we hang out for a few hours. You have created a great family of brothers and sisters, who support businesses and contribute with content.
I don’t want to get too verbose, but I sincerely just want to say how much I have enjoyed all the anniversaries with you Tom.
I’m grateful for the stream living here in Vancouver. A P1 from day one.
Muchas gracias Papa.
Great read. Thanks for posting.