Bill W. Introduces His Sponsor Ebby T. (1960) | The Man Who Carried the Message to AA’s Founder

In this extraordinary and deeply historic recording, Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, introduces the man who helped change his life—and ultimately helped spark the beginning of A.A.: 👉 Ebby T. (Ebby Thacher) Recorded on July 3, 1960, at the Third International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous in Long Beach, California, this moment represents a powerful full-circle connection between the origins of AA and the fellowship it became. 🧭 The Man Who Carried the Message Before Alcoholics Anonymous existed… Before the Big Book… Before the Twelve Steps were written… There was a simple moment: One alcoholic talking to another. That man was Ebby T. In November 1934, Ebby visited Bill W. while Bill was at his lowest point—fresh out of another drinking episode and facing complete despair. Ebby shared a simple spiritual solution and what would later become the foundation of the Twelve Steps. He told Bill: • Admit you are beaten • Get honest • Talk to another person • Make restitution • Help others • Turn toward a Higher Power These ideas would later become the framework of Alcoholics Anonymous. Ebby didn’t just help Bill get sober— 👉 He carried the message that started everything. 🧭 About Bill W. Bill W. (William Griffith Wilson, 1895–1971) co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 alongside Dr. Bob, creating a fellowship that has helped millions worldwide achieve sobriety. His sobriety began in December 1934—shortly after Ebby brought him the message that would change his life. 🎙️ About This Moment At the 1960 International Convention, Bill introduces Ebby not just as a friend… But as the man who helped save his life. In a deeply personal gesture, Bill once wrote to Ebby: “No day passes that I do not remember that you brought me the message that saved me…” This recording captures: • Gratitude at the highest level • The origin of sponsorship • The humility at the heart of A.A. • A living connection to the beginning of recovery 🌍 Why This Recording Matters This is more than a talk. It is: 👉 The origin story of Alcoholics Anonymous 👉 The first example of sponsorship in action 👉 A reminder that recovery begins with one person helping another Without Ebby… There may have been no Bill W. And without Bill W… There would be no Alcoholics Anonymous as we know it today. 📣 About Recovery Speakers At Recovery Speakers, our mission is to: • Preserve the voices that built recovery • Share historic recordings with future generations • Keep the message alive 📌 If this message resonates: 👍 Like the video 💬 Share your thoughts 🔔 Subscribe for more historic recovery recordings #RecoverySpeakers #AAHistory #BillW #EbbyT #Sobriety #Recovery #Sober #AA #AlcoholicsAnonymous