Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

BLUES BEHIND BARS

In the wake of the Attica Prison Uprising, BB King performs for the prisoners at Sing Sing Prison in 1972. The Thanksgiving Day concert sparks a new conversation about prisoner rights. Documentarian Daivd Hoffman recalls his time behind the camera, watching BB King perform, and how he softened the hearts of otherwise life-hardened men. Meanwhile, with the surly Sonny Liston as a role model, George Foreman rises in the ranks as a heavyweight. He fights the Champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, and is held hostage in Venezuela.   FILM/VIDEO REFERENCES Muhammad Ali poem from the Cathal O’Shannon TV show (available on YouTube) Sing Sing Thanksgiving, documentary by David Hoffman (available on YouTube) BOOKS “The Rumble in the Jungle” by Lewis Erenberg “Angela Davis: an autobiography” by Angela Davis  “Hit Me, Fred” by Fred Wesley (autobiography)  “Smokin’ Joe” by Joe Frazier and Phil Berger (autobiography) “Smokin’ Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier” by Mark Kram Jr.  “By George” by George Foreman (autobiography)See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

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.