author's note
GERARD GIBBONS
“Every man is a bridge spanning two legacies: the one he inherits and the one he passes on.”
— Terrence Real
I only met my grandfather, the heavyweight boxer Tommy Gibbons, once.
In fact, sitting on his lap that long ago summer afternoon in 1960 is my earliest memory. I was 4-years old. I remember feeling safe in his arms and seeing the kind clarity of his blue eyes, but little else. And then, very soon after, he was gone for good.
My dad was Tommy Gibbons’ oldest child, Tommy, Jr. He was, by nature, a spectacular storyteller who kept his father’s spirit alive with vivid recollections from the early 20th century’s gyms, boxing rings, and vaudeville stages. As a little boy, my dad had been there for all of it and it gave him great joy to speak of his father. Tommy Gibbons had been his hero and best friend, just as my dad was mine, so I dutifully listened.
My dad told one story more often than the rest: a rip-roaring adventure about the 1923 “fight that won’t stay dead,” wherein a tiny, impoverished prairie town inn Montana matched my grandfather in a heavyweight championship battle against one of boxing’s most deadly sluggers, Jack Dempsey.
It was, according to 1920s Montana newspaperman Martin Hutchens, “an epic of the old and dying west,” a torrid tale of gamblers, federal agents, sportswriters, and priests.
These tall tales sparked my imagination. Yet something about the people and places felt too long-gone to be anything more than make believe. Even after visiting Montana as a 17-year old in 1973 to celebrate the big fight’s 50th anniversary, the saga of Shelby in 1923 seemed too far-fetched to me to offer much more than momentary thrills.
author's note
DR. GERARD GIBBONS
“Every man is a bridge spanning two legacies: the one he inherits and the one he passes on.”
— Terrence Real
I only met my grandfather, the heavyweight boxer Tommy Gibbons, once.
In fact, sitting on his lap that long ago summer afternoon in 1960 is my earliest memory. I was 4-years old. I remember feeling safe in his arms and seeing the kind clarity of his blue eyes, but little else. And then, very soon after, he was gone for good.
My dad was Tommy Gibbons’ oldest child, Tommy, Jr. He was, by nature, a spectacular storyteller who kept his father’s spirit alive with vivid recollections from the early 20th century’s gyms, boxing rings, and vaudeville stages. As a little boy, my dad had been there for all of it and it gave him great joy to speak of his father. Tommy Gibbons had been his hero and best friend, just as my dad was mine, so I dutifully listened.
My dad told one story more often than the rest: a rip-roaring adventure about the 1923 “fight that won’t stay dead,” wherein a tiny, impoverished prairie town inn Montana matched my grandfather in a heavyweight championship battle against one of boxing’s most deadly sluggers, Jack Dempsey.
It was, according to 1920s Montana newspaperman Martin Hutchens, “an epic of the old and dying west,” a torrid tale of gamblers, federal agents, sportswriters, and priests.
These tall tales sparked my imagination. Yet something about the people and places felt too long-gone to be anything more than make believe. Even after visiting Montana as a 17-year old in 1973 to celebrate the big fight’s 50th anniversary, the saga of Shelby in 1923 seemed too far-fetched to me to offer much more than momentary thrills.
It wasn’t until years later, when everyone I’d ever loved had passed, that I began to wonder what had really happened in Shelby, and more importantly, who these people — most especially my grandfather — had really been.
Before my dad died in 1999, he gave me more than a dozen neatly-packed, sealed cardboard boxes.
For decades, I did not open a single one of them. Too wrapped up in my own life and career, I begrudgingly hauled the cargo through the world with the rest of my belongings, never questioning or wondering what treasure might exist inside of them. I was compelled to keep the stash safe and secure, even if I didn’t fully understand why.
Then suddenly, in 2016, my world turned upside down. The future I’d planned was smashed to pieces before vanishing altogether. Surrounded by fear, doubt, and darkness, what I wished for more than anything was one more moment with my dad — some wisdom or consolation, a story, maybe a song, or just an embrace.
To bring my dad closer, there was only one thing to do: open the mystery boxes and discover, at last, what he’d left behind.
Inside these boxes was a time machine of sorts — a treasure trove of century-old newspaper clippings, photographs, souvenirs, family diaries, memoir, scrapbooks, and love letters. Taken together, they carried me back in time to the most intimate — and epic — hours of Grandfather Tommy’s world and his place in it.
There was loss I could not fathom and heroism I could only hope to one day possess. There was war, pandemic, gender battles, racial tumult, social upheaval. There was enormous love, a truly profound love story — and also, the dark shadow of mental health challenges. There was perseverance, resilience, grit, sacrifice, and courage.
This was more than I could have imagined. More than I could’ve hoped. After all these years, what I discovered, to my surprise, was a road map to the rest of my life. I took it as a call to action.
Suddenly reborn, for many years I investigated — and then interrogated — the family legends via galleries, libraries, archives, and museums around the world. At last, I could hear these stories, not merely with my head — but with my heart. What became most clear is how this ancient story — from my family’s perilous exodus from Ireland in the 1880s through the storm of the early 20th century and the quixotic ambitions of Montana in 1923 — spoke with such parallels, resonance, and inspiration to the world in which we now live.
The book you are now holding, Shelby 1923, is about the human spirit. It’s about walking through fire to become more than you were before. It’s about the power of faith, family, humility, and love. It’s about impossible dreams, unlikely friendships, and the infinite ways, large and small, we are all connected.
The great documentary filmmaker Ken Burns says his stories are, essentially, about “waking up the dead.” I only met my grandfather one time while he was alive. But since then, through the byways of history, I’ve met him again and again. I’ve come to respect him. Admire him. Love him completely. In turn, my grandfather and his story have moved and inspired me. In my research and writing, I have felt transported. Certainly, I’ve been changed.
I now believe my dad intended for me, in my own time, to uncover my family legacy in those boxes. He knew I had to walk the path on my own. Only then would it be meaningful.
It is my conviction that in the challenging hours of history we now endure, you too will be transported and changed by this “true good” tale from the past that suggests how we might live better, richer, more meaningful lives today. Won’t you join me for this extraordinary adventure?
— GERARD GIBBONS
Author • Historian
Team gibbons bios 1/3
— DR. GERARD GIBBONS
Dr. Gerard Gibbons is a noted non-fiction author, storyteller, and historian. After 30+ years as an award-winning filmmaker and brand strategist, he has turned his attention toward his own family legacy and the never-been-told, true story of his legendary prizefighting uncle and grandfather, MIKE and TOMMY GIBBONS.
Gerard, CEO/Founder of Visual Eyes Inc., spawned a novel communications agency focused on HD video, multimedia, human engagement, and behavior change. Gibbons’ exploits carried him around the world with the Defense Department, Special Operations Command, Fortune 500 companies, Walt Disney, Special Olympics, government agencies, as well as advanced science, medical and technology companies.
Today, Gerard — an avid photographer, guitarist, backpacker, and fly fisherman — strives to live by the motto, borrowed from his dad and grandfather, “Comport yourself with elegance and moderate your pace.”
Team gibbons bios 2/3
TODD AARON JENSEN
Journalist/Editor
Todd Jensen is an award-winning journalist, editor, author, co-writer, and story analyst with featured bylines in more than 100 publications around the world, including GQ, Esquire, American Way, Written By, Mean, Icon, Moving Pictures, and Costco Connection. Jensen has interviewed more than a thousand of the world’s most prominent public figures, including filmmakers, musicians, authors, and spiritual leaders. His interviews with Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, and Jim Harrison have been anthologized multiple times. He has worked with story departments at Warner Bros and Geffen Pictures, created a film/TV production course for Los Angeles County, Warner Bros, and Burbank Unified Schools, co-written multiple books, and managed cross-platform marketing and publicity for countless publishing projects.
Jensen lives in Los Angeles and is the proud father of three extraordinary sons.
MIKE GARSON
Music Director
Mike Garson is a renowned classically trained jazz and rock pianist with an avant-garde, improvisational style. He is an expert in early 20th Century Jazz and the music of George Gershwin.
Best known for his relationship with David Bowie, Garson made his mark on dozens of Bowie albums including Aladdin Sane. He was Bowie’s longest and most frequent band member, performing together for 600 concerts around the globe over four decades.
Mike’s stellar reputation has motivated top artists to collaborate on recording and film soundrack projects, including Nine Inch Nails and The Smashing Pumpkins. He has performed with jazz giants including Eubie Blake, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Stanley Clarke, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, and Dave Liebman.
He is composing musical themes and serving as Music Director on FIGHT FOR GLORY.
JOEL GOTLER
Film/TV Agency Rep
CEO of Intellectual Property Group, a literary/media management company representing some of the world’s best-selling authors, Joel Gotler has sold film/tv rights for hundreds of books:
Wolf of Wall Street, Chocolat, Indecent Proposal, Angela’s Ashes, The Untouchables, Glory, Boardwalk Empire, and The Lincoln Lawyer.
Gotler also represents a long list of authors and literary estates, including James ( LA Confidential) Ellroy, Michael (Bosch) Connelly, Sue Grafton, John O’Hara, John Ball, James M. Cain, Alfred Bester, FX (Million Dollar Baby) Toole, Stephen (Band of Brothers) Ambrose, Roger Ebert, Frank McCourt, and Andre Dubus III.
Team gibbons bios 3/3
JIM MORRISON
Multimedia / Web Developer
Jim Morrison has 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, as well as for healthcare, technology and military clients. He’s passionate about working with a dedicated, quality-driven team that strives to enhance audience engagement through elegant design. Jim’s metric for success: a more-than-satisfied customer and audience.
“I live, love and breathe creative design and online marketing. I care about my team’s success and I simply love what I do! I help build businesses, I have fun doing it and I love who I work with.”
Jim resides in Northern Idaho with his wife Nancy and dog Oliver.
“FIGHT FOR GLORY is an amazing story, a special period of history and a unique body of work to bring to life. It truly is motivating to build this legacy.”
JESSICA MILLER
Creative Director / Graphic Design
Jessica Miller is a seasoned Creative Director producing campaigns for Fortune 100 brands. Her talent grew from years in fashion. She discovered a love for graphic design / advertising and has been a creative leader with world-class agencies ever since.
Her work: concept direction/design for streaming services, film poster concept art, and social media marketing. She brings branding, promotional and digital marketing experience in retail, publishing, films, financial services, health/beauty, nonprofit sectors. She believes great ideas are based on strategy. She leverages her affinity for sleek, clean, sophisticated visuals to bring them to life.
Jessica now lives in Austin and focuses on the film space. For FIGHT FOR GLORY, she provides branding, conceptual direction, book cover design, movie promo materials, marketing support. She says, “Golden Age America is a beautiful, inspiring period. It’s a creator’s dream!”
CHRIS WRIGHT
Video Producer / Director
Chris Wright, producer of 25 years, has a media degree from Brooks Institute. Early on he directed/ produced commercials in California where he learned the power of creating concise, clear and quality-focused messages.
He produced 350 nationally broadcast programs which aired on hundreds of stations across America and took him to Russia, Israel, South America, India, and Ethiopia.
His resume: Boeing, Tennis Channel, Visual Eyes, Inc. In 2008, he moved his family to Colorado to found Front Range Media, a production company servicing small to mid-size companies. In 2019, he became Video Producer for The Hach Company, a leader in water quality analysis.
Today, he’s also a proud member of the FIGHT FOR GLORY team. Chris says, “I’m honored to contribute to the telling of this great American story.”
Contact Gerard Gibbons
Gerard@DrGerardGibbons.com
(805) 402-9922
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF MAIL RECEIVED, GERARD IS NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO RESPOND, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR UNDERSTANDING.
GERARD DOES NOT ACCEPT NOR READ ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS IN ANY FORM FOR CONSIDERATION.
