This week, WCBS Newsradio says goodbye to our friend, mentor, and universally respected reporter, Rich Lamb.
Rich is officially retiring Friday after 50 years in the radio news business, 43 of those years spent at WCBS Newsradio 880.
During that time, Rich has distinguished himself as a trusted source for news and information and he retires having earned the unofficial title as “Dean” of the City Hall Press Corps.
During a special two-hour broadcast celebrating Rich Lamb's career, influence and inspiration, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson presented him with a proclamation in recognition of his "extraordinary 50 years of broadcast journalism excellence."
"It is mixed emotions because as I'm happy for Rich and Peggy and his family, it is really a sad day for New York and for New Yorkers because Rich is the best," Johnson said. "We are going to miss you, Rich Lamb. They say that you never meet your heroes, but I say to any die-hard Rich Lamb fans listening that you wouldn't be disappointed meeting Rich. He is smart, he is kind, he is a total mensch... I love listening to him all these years and even better I loved getting to know him as a person."
Rich Lamb's legacy will forever live on in the studios of the station that he has called home for the last four decades. From this day forward, the WCBS Newsradio 880 newsroom will be forever known as "The Rich Lamb WCBS 880 Newsroom."
The inscription reads, "In honor of his 43 years of service to WCBS Newsradio 880. His professionalism, grace and selfless mentoring, and for the lasting impact he has had on all who work here.”
Our news director Tim Scheld presented Rich with the plaque during our tribute show saying, "It has been my honor to stand in your spotlight and to stand next to you... you have been a gift to all of us that will never go away."
While Rich will be remembered for his decades of reporting, his friends and colleagues note that what really makes him special is his humanity and compassion.
His friends at WCBS 880 were proud to present the broadcast tribute, which included stories of his mentorship and impact on many broadcasters, including personal anecdotes from NBA sportscaster Mike Breen, NPR's Steve Inskeep and executive producer at CBS News Radio, Jonathan Clark.
The radio special digs deep into the WCBS 880 audio archives to hear Rich reporting on big stories over the decades like the death of John Lennon, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, the 9/11 attacks, and historic moments like the funeral of Ronald Reagan, and the New York visits of Popes John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis.
Rich started his radio career in Detroit, then moved to New York in the late 1970s. He worked at the rock station 99X (WXLO) before landing the job at WCBS Newsradio 880.
Rich will also be remembered for the political reporting he did in New York covering the likes of Ed Koch, Mario Cuomo and the mayors and governors who served since.
While paying tribute to Rich during his daily briefing at City Hall on Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio summed up Lamb's tenure at WCBS 880 as “a very special career and a very special contribution to the people of New York City and we are really going to miss you."
De Blasio continued to sing the reporter's praises as he made a special appearance during our broadcast tribute.
"Fifty years, come on, we can't say enough. When someone has given New Yorkers the truth, given them the information they needed, given them a voice they could believe in, that's a very, very big deal," de Blaiso said. "There's going to be something missing starting next week in this city."
"I have gotten to know Rich over the years and know what he gives of himself outside of his work and is a person who's devoted to charity and his faith and is not about himself, and I think that's why New Yorkers came to trust him so much," de Blasio said.
The mayor said that Rich always stayed cool and focused on what mattered no matter how big the crisis.
Ever the reporter, Rich Lamb couldn't help steering the conversation away from himself and following up on a question that he asked the mayor months ago regarding the city seal.
"There on one side, there's a guy wearing pantaloons, holding a little something that apparently measures the depth of the river or something on a device I cannot remember the name of, and on the other side, there's a Native American in sort of his loincloth, and there are, you know barrels full of whatever tobacco or maybe flour. I mean, it's it seems a little antiquated. I just wondered whether you're ever going to look into that?" Lamb asked.
The mayor agreed that the imagery is antiquated and should be looked at again.
"We all value the notion of remembering our history, but we also need symbols that speak to who we are today," de Blasio said. "So, I have a Charter Revision Commission coming up. That's also going to be a Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation. That's exactly the kind of thing I want them to look at — the very thing we use as our symbol, does it represent us today or not?"
We also heard from former Gov. David Paterson, who served in the state Senate, in a seat his father held and rose to minority leader and then lieutenant governor before ultimately taking office as the 55th governor New York.
Paterson said he started listening to WCBS 880 on its first day in August 1967 and relied on radio to be his newspaper and library.
He gave credit to the skill Lamb had in painting a picture of what was happening on a scene of a story and congratulated him for his years of service.
Lamb then praised Paterson for his "remarkable mind" and noted that the former governor was the one who dubbed the water-landing of United Flight 1549 as the "Miracle on the Hudson."
"No one deserves this kind of a moment as much as Rich does," Paterson said.
Someone else who was on the receiving end of many a Rich Lamb questions also joined us on the newsline — 53rd New York Gov. George Pataki.
The two reflected on the old "Ask the Governor" broadcasts, particularly the moment Pataki broke the news that there would be a new Tappan Zee Bridge, much to the shock of his senior policy advisor Zenia Mucha.
"The reporter of integrity you are, you always did the right thing and I was listening to Mayor de Blasio talk about how 'no one dislikes Rich Lamb' and he's never said a truer statement," Pataki said. "And it's just because of the humanity and integrity that you have brought to your broadcasting career and I benefitted from that, New York has benefitted from that and I'm just really honored to be a part of this tribute."
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg also praised Lamb, calling him a "mensch."
"I know it's strange to describe a man whose favorite day of the year, by far, is St. Patrick's Day as a mensch, but what can I tell ya, it was always a pleasure to talk with Rich during our administration's time in City Hall," Bloomberg said. "He is one of the most trusted voices in New York news. He just gives you the facts. Also, anyone who knows Rich can tell you he is a class act and a compassionate guy — in other words, a mensch."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey also shared messages wishing Rich a happy retirement.
"It's impossible to imagine New York radio without you," Schumer said. "From covering national elections, to 9/11, to the pandemic, and quite literally everything in between, you've been a ubiquitous presence, a knowledgeable presence, a truthful presence in our lives for so long that we're grateful for your dedication to informing New Yorkers."
Booker thanked Lamb of his years of service.
"I came of age listening to you on the radio. Your voice of character and truth and trusted news was something that helped shape my view of the world around me and even inspired me to try to make contributions to it," Booker said.
Congressman Ritchie Torres also took a moment to pay tribute to Rich Lamb.
"Rich is among one of the kindest people I've ever met and it's just been a pleasure working with him," Torres said. "I remember early on in my career whenever I was nervous about doing an interview, there's something about Rich that just puts you at ease and I just have the deepest affection and respect for him. And I'm sad to see him go but he should have the satisfaction of knowing that his has been a life well-lived and we're all better for having known him and for having heard his voice on radio."
Cardinal Timothy Dolan also called in to reflect on his years of friendship with Lamb.
"It's kind of a sad occasion, but anytime I'm with you it's usually enlightening and joyful," Dolan said, adding that he's grateful to have gotten to know Rich. "I'm going to miss you very, very much."
We thank all of those who participated in the broadcast and all of our listeners for helping us give Rich Lamb the send-off he deserves.
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