Don King swans into the boxing world and manages to get both Ali and Foreman to trust him completely. By working their egos and their dreams of a huge payday –– Don King’s able to persuade the two heavyweights into setting a date for a new title fight. The twist? This title bout, Ali’s latest attempt to reclaim his lost crown, will take place in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali nicknames their upcoming fight: The Rumble in the Jungle.

NEWS REPORTS (AVAILABLE ON NEWSPAPERS.COM)

“The Akron Beacon” March 25, 1974

“Philadelphia Daily News” March 25, 1974

"Akron Beacon" March 29, 1974

REFERENCE BOOKS

“Ali: A Life” by Jonathan Eig

“Only in America” by Don King (autobiography)

“Lawdy Miss Clawdy: The True King of the ‘50s” by Lloyd Price and William Waller (autobiography)

Don King swans into the boxing world and manages to get both Ali and Foreman to trust him completely. By working their egos and their dreams of a huge payday –– Don King’s able to persuade the two heavyweights into setting a date for a new title fight. The twist? This title bout, Ali’s latest attempt to reclaim his lost crown, will take place in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali nicknames their upcoming fight: The Rumble in the Jungle.
NEWS REPORTS (AVAILABLE ON NEWSPAPERS.COM)
“The Akron Beacon” March 25, 1974
“Philadelphia Daily News” March 25, 1974
"Akron Beacon" March 29, 1974
REFERENCE BOOKS
“Ali: A Life” by Jonathan Eig
“Only in America” by Don King (autobiography)
“Lawdy Miss Clawdy: The True King of the ‘50s” by Lloyd Price and William Waller (autobiography)

ENTER DON KING

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5685232d-cf2a-4e48-b2d4-b22d017fa1d0/transcript

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)

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)

BLUES BEHIND BARS

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8668f316-986e-45f7-9fbc-b22601782abd/transcript

 In their epic showdown, “The Fight of the Century,” Muhammad Ali takes on the Champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier. It’s a stunning exhibition of strength, pain, and violence. Their fight is covered by many great writers, who transform Ali into an avatar of the age as they celebrate his ascendance as the People’s Champ. A new boxing contender enters the scene: the giant George Foreman while Miriam Makeba wins hearts as she’s dubbed Mama Africa by her fans.



REFERENCE MATERIALS:

"Ali: A Life" by Jonathan Eig

"The Fight" by Norman Mailer

"Ego" (Life magazine Cover Story, March 19, 1971) article by Norman Mailer

"The Redemption of the Champion" (Life magazine, Sept 9, 1966), article by Gordon Parks

"Shadow Box" by George Plimpton 

"Ringside: A Treasury of Boxing Reportage" by Budd Schulberg 

"The Greatest, My Own Story" by Muhammad Ali (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)

Miriam Makeba FBI file (available online at: https://vault.fbi.gov/miriam-makeba)

In their epic showdown, “The Fight of the Century,” Muhammad Ali takes on the Champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier. It’s a stunning exhibition of strength, pain, and violence. Their fight is covered by many great writers, who transform Ali into an avatar of the age as they celebrate his ascendance as the People’s Champ. A new boxing contender enters the scene: the giant George Foreman while Miriam Makeba wins hearts as she’s dubbed Mama Africa by her fans.
 
REFERENCE MATERIALS:
"Ali: A Life" by Jonathan Eig
"The Fight" by Norman Mailer
"Ego" (Life magazine Cover Story, March 19, 1971) article by Norman Mailer
"The Redemption of the Champion" (Life magazine, Sept 9, 1966), article by Gordon Parks
"Shadow Box" by George Plimpton 
"Ringside: A Treasury of Boxing Reportage" by Budd Schulberg 
"The Greatest, My Own Story" by Muhammad Ali (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)
Miriam Makeba FBI file (available online at: https://vault.fbi.gov/miriam-makeba)

UNDISPUTED CHAMPION

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/db7b6f01-dcb0-4631-89d9-b21f01635408/transcript

Ali’s time in exile only strengthens his position as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. James Brown plays his first show in Paris, and his dancer, Lola Love!, recalls seeing The Godfather of Soul for the first time at The Apollo Theater. Muhammad Ali befriends heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, only to realize that in order to win his title back, he must face his comrade in the ring. 

FILM REFERENCES

“When We Were Kings” (documentary, 1996) directed by Leon Gast 

“Soul Power” (documentary, 2008) directed by Jeffrey Kusama–Hinte (available on YouTube)

BOOKS

"The Greatest, My Own Story" by Muhammad Ali (autobiography)

"King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig

"Smokin’ Joe" by Joe Frazier and Phil Berger (autobiography)

"Smokin’ Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier" by Mark Kram Jr. 

"The Rumble in the Jungle" by Lewis Erenberg

Ali’s time in exile only strengthens his position as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. James Brown plays his first show in Paris, and his dancer, Lola Love!, recalls seeing The Godfather of Soul for the first time at The Apollo Theater. Muhammad Ali befriends heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, only to realize that in order to win his title back, he must face his comrade in the ring. 
FILM REFERENCES
“When We Were Kings” (documentary, 1996) directed by Leon Gast 
“Soul Power” (documentary, 2008) directed by Jeffrey Kusama–Hinte (available on YouTube)
BOOKS
"The Greatest, My Own Story" by Muhammad Ali (autobiography)
"King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig
"Smokin’ Joe" by Joe Frazier and Phil Berger (autobiography)
"Smokin’ Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier" by Mark Kram Jr. 
"The Rumble in the Jungle" by Lewis Erenberg

SMOKIN' JOE FRAZIER: THE HELLRAISER

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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)

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)

SAY IT LOUD

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/536f4359-3426-46b1-bc59-b20a01435f4e/transcript

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 Erenberg

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 Erenberg

RUMBLE YOUNG MAN RUMBLE

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/32b02c86-9055-4a9e-bca3-b203014db8dc/transcript

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

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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. 

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.

Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

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