WEDNESDAY CLUB - Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali/Old Pa and John lennon -Stand by Me

WEDNESDAY CLUB meets the great men,  Muhammad Ali V Old Pa and John lennon

My mate Ali

 

CASSIUS CLAY - Stand By Me (1964)

Living in Jeddah in the eighties, many interesting things happened that would not normally be available to me if I lived in the U.K.

Probably one of the greatest things was one day Shellhunter came home from School and said that Muhammad Ali was coming to her School that night to give a talk and we can all go.

Muhammad Ali, he was my hero, or one of them.  I saw every fight (see previous post) from the very beginning, I had posters on my wall. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

With excitement I turned up with all the other fight fans. Ali was introduced to us and we were asked to give him some questions. It was all routine stuff ie what was your hardest fight etc.

It was so tragic hearing Ali try and give answers. He was slurring and had difficulty giving any coherent reply. However there was an unmistakeably twinkle in his eye. It was still the Ali we all new and loved.

After, he signed autographs for the kids. I managed to get close for a picture with my arm round him. He did not look too pleased about being touched. I mumbled how great he was and that I have always been a fan. In the photo I actually look taller than Ali.  He was there for the taking.

I would have danced like a donkey and stung like a hen, Muhammad Ali would have fallen in ten. I found this track apparently sung by a then Cassius Clay of the great Ben E King classic, it is actually not that bad.

If you don't like the Cassius version here is a little treat to make up for it, the intro by Bob Harris is just fabulous.

Imagine if Old Pa was here?

 

JOHN LENNON - Stand By Me (1975)