I was lucky enough to live in NYC, Upper West Side, from 1973-77. And I remember the escapade well. If I remember correctly Philippe Petit was asked to do a benefit show at Carnegie Hall as his punishment.
3
I learned that salt shaker trick in college. Very cool. Love Philip Pettit. Huge talent.
6
If I were Philippe Petit, I, too, would be spending most of my time with my girl friend imagining the infinitesimal possibility of failure of my goal. The kiss before his success must have been tres bon!!! Hooray!
3
For those of you who would like to know more, check out the documentary Man on Wire.
5
That was a magical day when he walked a tightrope across the Twin Towers. Those were the days!!! Great story!
4
Best "Diary" story ever. Thanks!
5
Ready for the eclipse? I'm home today (upstate NY) and have never seen one in 60+ years, and I'm very curious. However, it is almost impossible to find eclipse glasses up here. No ads in the papers, no stores with signs advertising them. So we (my wife and I) are going to chance it. I have some rarely used darker then usual sunglasses, and we have 3-D glasses. Lol.
We will glance from time-to-time without staring at it. What can you do? If we write in tomorrow asking for a a braille edition of the NYT, it didn't work :>O
We will glance from time-to-time without staring at it. What can you do? If we write in tomorrow asking for a a braille edition of the NYT, it didn't work :>O
2
Perfect NYC story...one of those moments that really do happen here and really can happen to anyone at anytime! merci beaucoup for sharing.....!
9
Far out!!!
Many thanks...
Many thanks...
3
Great story -- you waited 43 years to tell it? -- nicely told.
2
I've heard this urban tale before. But never from Philippe Petit himself. The walk was done on August 7.
2
Only in New York. Amazing story.
8
Great story. Thanks for telling it!
10
I spent my teens working at my family's restaurant in Opa Locka, FL.
When someone at the bar says he can do some seemingly possible trick trust him, he can. Fortunately the price was cheap, usually a dime or quarter bet, a cheap price to learn something that will impress someone.
When someone at the bar says he can do some seemingly possible trick trust him, he can. Fortunately the price was cheap, usually a dime or quarter bet, a cheap price to learn something that will impress someone.
6
"possible" should have been impossible.
Mr. Furey, I loved this marvelous memory. You taught Philippe Petit a trick! I think all NYers who were conscious in 1974 remember M. Petit's breathtaking act. It's now an integral part of NYC mythology, isn't it? In a way, you were part of it. Lucky you. Lucky us for being able to read the story you tell.
16
I remember that like it was yesterday. As a kid I thought how did he do that. And then to pause midway. NY'ers were delighted at the stunt. The mayor and NYPD not so much. Still it was a treat.
8
A terrific story about a wonderfully talented and inspiring urban hero.
Tune of You’ll Never Walk Alone
When you walk on that wire, and you’re way up high
Just don’t be afraid of the cops.
When you get off that wire, a career awaits
If you’ll only pull out all the stops.
Walk on, walk on, and if you’re not thrown
People won’t leave you alone.
Walk on, walk, on, from that moment on
You’ll never stay unknown.
Tune of You’ll Never Walk Alone
When you walk on that wire, and you’re way up high
Just don’t be afraid of the cops.
When you get off that wire, a career awaits
If you’ll only pull out all the stops.
Walk on, walk on, and if you’re not thrown
People won’t leave you alone.
Walk on, walk, on, from that moment on
You’ll never stay unknown.
25
Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.
As Paul Klenk said in his comment, "I'm speechless."
Thank you, Mr. Furey, for your story.
As Paul Klenk said in his comment, "I'm speechless."
Thank you, Mr. Furey, for your story.
19
How I miss the City New York was in the 70s.
24
Oh my, oh my... I’m speechless. You were so close to one of my all-time heroes just days before his coup.
Thank you, Mr. Furey, for one more piece of the puzzle in the life of this singular man and his historic feat of breathtaking beauty.
Thank you, Mr. Furey, for one more piece of the puzzle in the life of this singular man and his historic feat of breathtaking beauty.
19