The City Lights Reporter

Muhammad Ali, the epitome of success in America, the world class example of the Islamic faith, and the most recognized name on the planet, was celebrated in a CBS television special - Muhammad Ali's 60th Birthday Celebration (http://www.cbs.com/specials/ali/index.shtml).

On Wednesday, January 16th, CBS produced a show that will go down in television history and be forever remembered as an epiphany in American pop culture. Muhammad Ali, once the most hated black man in American, was celebrated in word, picture and song to honor his 60th birthday. This has been a fantastic year for Ali, with a number one biographical movie, best selling books and now a television special that will be forever held up as the best that television has to offer. It had as big an impact on the American psyche as Elvis on Steve Allen, the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, and Motown's 25th Anniversary Special.

This star-studded gala honoring the man known as "The Greatest" brought together Ali's friends from the sports and entertainment community including multiple Grammy Award winners, such as Will Smith (star of the feature film Ali) Mariah Carey, Natalie Cole, India Arie and Paul Simon. On hand to pay tribute to Ali were his friends Sidney Poitier, Sony Liston , Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson, Lennox Lewis, Eddie Murphy, the Wayans brothers and, via tape archive, a classic one-on-one salute by Howard Cossell.

What really made this an event worth remembering was video reviews of all the different aspects of Ali's life that truly made him the greatest sports personality of all time. His youthful speed and boxing abilities which won him the gold-medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome; Michael Jackson's moonwalk could not compare to the video of when Ali first demonstrated the Ali Shuffle; the phantom punch that cameras couldn't catch and won him his second heavyweight championship. The actual news footage and comments when he officially refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War. Ohhhh, and let's not forget his wit and poetic talent for comebacks, that earned him the early title of "The Mouth".

I loved all the clips of Ali's most famous sayings. The producers at CBS realized that nothing can match the power and eloquence of Ali's own words. His poetic verse is little more than a memory now because of his tragically diminished state, but on his 60th birthday, through the magic of news and video clips, Ali speak for himself;

* "I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - goading Liston before the fight

The musical performances were one of a kind. Paul Simon rewrote the lyrics to "Diamonds On The Soul Of His Shoes" to honor Ali. India Arie demonstrated why she is one of the most celebrated new artist of the year. Natalie Cole almost got in trouble flirting with Ali. Mariah Carey knocked it out the park with a Marilyn Monroe rendition of Happy Birthday. In addition to the presenters and performers, behind-the-scenes clips from the making of the motion picture "Ali" were shown, along with comical jabs from the stars of the film

There was always far more to Muhammad Ali than what took place in the boxing ring. His life and career have been played out as much on the front page, as on the sports page. When he embraced the Nation of Islam and insisted on being called Muhammad Ali instead of his "slave name", Cassius Clay, he helped herald a new era in black pride. His refusal to be inducted into the army anticipated the growing anti-war movement of the 1960s. Ali brought unprecedented speed and grace to his sport, and his charm and wit changed forever the standards which measure a champion. Today, Muhammad Ali is a deeply religious man who inspires feelings of love and respect wherever he travels. Happy Birthday Muhammad! You are truly the greatest of all time!!

I would recommend that if you missed the broadcast you purchase the video tape. For it was the type of television event that will bring joy and pride with each and every viewing of it from now till time immortal.

For more information on the life and time of Muhammad Ali please visit the following links;

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Muhammad Ali's Birthday Celebration

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