Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

By iHeartPodcasts

Fall 2024 marks 50 years since both the legendary Rumble in the Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the Zaire’ 74 music festival, headlined by the likes of James Brown, BB King, Miriam Makeba and myriad other stars.

Muhammad Ali’s life bobs and weaves through an era of revolutions and disruptive social change in both the US and Africa. In the lead up to this highly politicized superfight, Ali and many other freedom fighters are forced to confront old truths and build bridges toward understanding while they learn to wield the power of influence and sacrifice. Featuring personal accounts of the monumental effort it took to put on these events, Rumble walks backstage with a staggeringly powerful group of fighters, performers, producers and activists, uplifting the legacy of Black Excellence.

Episodes

Episode 2: SAY IT LOUD

A season of assassinations sparks a loud cry for change. Young Cassius Clay befriends Malcolm X, joins the nation of Islam, changes his name to Muhammad Ali, and refuses to fight in Vietnam. Meanwhile, James Brown’s Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud becomes an anthem for Black America, and Hugh Masekela escapes the evils of apartheid. FILM/VIDEO REFERENCES Nelson Mandela “Ready to Die” speech April 20, 1964 (available on YouTube) Miriam Makeba UN Address speech March 9, 1964 (available on YouTube) ”The Hate that Hate Produced”, documentary (1959) WNET Mike Wallace (available on YouTube) BOOK REFERENCES Muhammad Ali books (Cassius Clay period): Ali: The Greatest, My Own Story by Muhammad Ali Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig King of the World by David Remnick Hit Me, Fred by Fred Wesley (autobiography) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16/10/24•43m 23s

Episode 1: RUMBLE YOUNG MAN RUMBLE

Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s heavyweight title fight is considered one of the greatest sporting events of all time. What’s less well known is that five weeks earlier in the very same stadium, James Brown headlined an epic, three-day long, pre-fight music festival. Rumble braids together both boxing and music history for a compelling account of Muhammad Ali’s growth into both The People’s Champ and the GOAT. For his first title fight, he takes on the “bad man” Sonny Liston. REFERENCE BOOKS: Ali: The Greatest, My Own Story by Muhammad Ali Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig Rumble In the Jungle by Lewis ErenbergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10/10/24•47m 8s

Introducing: Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02/10/24•3m 23s