In Memory Muhammad Ali

The greatest sportsman ever died in June 2016 at the age of 74.It was not just sport that this man dominated, but he influenced everything and even had films and books that were huge seller. He also had music written about him that charted.

Ok, I hear you saying . What does the music of the 70s have to do with the greatest boxer ever to have lived? Well Muhammed Ali (Born 1942) as far as I know he did not have any hits himself in the 70s, but because of his iconic stature, and ability to be handsome and intelligent and the exceptional boxer made him the most well know face, probably of the last century.

During the 70s Ali fought Ken Norton, George Foreman, and of course Joe Frazier amongst many others, some of the fights had global audiences, and Ali not only talked a great fight he gave a great fight.

Therefore its not really that surprising to find that the music of the 70s  did have hits that related to Muhammed Ali. I am sure there are more, but here are some I have located that actually charted.

Johnny Wakelin  had a hit single out in 1974, inspired by Ali's fight with George Foreman  in Africa, called "Black Superman(Muhammed Ali), his backing group was called the "Kinshasa Band", named after the town in Africa that Ali had the fight. Just to let you know Ali won the fight in the eighth round.

The full "Black Superman" lyrics

This here's the story of Cassius Clay
Who changed his name to Muhammad Ali
He knows how to talk and he knows how to fight
And all the contenders were beat out of sight

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Mohammed, the black superman
Who calls to the other guy I'm Ali catch me if you can

Now all you fight fans, you've got to agree
There ain't no flies on Muhammad Ali
He fills the arena wherever he goes
And everyone gets what they paid for

Muhammad, was known to have said
You watch me shuffle and I'll jab off your head
He moves like the black superman
And calls to the other guy I'm Ali catch me if you can

He says I'm the greatest the worlds ever seen
The heavyweight champion who came back again
My face is so pretty you don't see a scar
Which proves I'm the king of the ring by far

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Mohammed, the black superman
Who calls to the other guy I'm Ali catch me if you can

Sing, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee
Muhammad, the black superman
Who calls to the other guy I'm Ali catch me if you can
I'm Ali catch me if you can

This hit reached no7 in the UK charts., so Johnny knew he was on to a good thing, and released another Muhammed Ali record called "In Zaire", again relating the same bout, and it was a hit too. Talk about getting value for money.

One of the biggest fights Ali had was"The Thriller In Manila", and I am glad to say that last year I sat in that arena in Manila, and knew I was sitting on a chair that had a piece of history.

Skeeter Davis and Vernon Harrell also had minor hits in the 70s with Muhammed Ali inspired records, and Ali himself appeared on 70s TV once appearing in "Different Strokes "in 1979.