The Two Greatest Icons of the 60's - The Beatles and Ali

Two of the most enduring legends of the 60's are The Beatles and Muhammad Ali.

Their influence has been tremendous. Who else was so important in the 60's? You might point to some political figures. JFK was an icon of the era, but more for his death than his life. His short time as president did not exactly provide much. Most might remember a famous phrase like "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Oh, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. No fun there.

Anyone else? In America, there was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose patience, and "I have a dream" speech helped speed the civil rights movement. But was he alone in that? Take a look at who was around when he was giving those speeches. There were politicians, and Dylan and other white folk singers, and Jewish "freedom fighters" who risked their lives to get "negroes" registered to vote in the deep South.

Recently, on a peculiar cable show he now runs, Craig Ferguson discussed "the most influential rock bands of all time." He quickly dismissed likely choices like The Rolling Stones, and reluctantly allowed that maybe Run D.M.C. influenced and helped create rap music. But no question: The Beatles. ANY other rock group you'd even call influential? I mean, beyond shit like, "Gee, I'd like to go into music because I saw Queen...Nirvana...The Band...Grateful Dead...etc. etc."

And now we come to Muhammad Ali. Aside from the King's speech, one speech, there was Ali talking all over the place, and years before Dr. King was well known. Ali was the guy who made white America either love or respect him. He offered a different complexion, a different religion, but did it with confidence and humor. He called attention to the injustice of the Vietnam War. He showed courage in the ring, and boxing IS a universal sport because it's man-to-man conflict. Everybody knew this guy all over the world. He influenced not just boxers, but with his courage, including his last 30 years of destructive illness, he gave people a very positive role model.

It was great fun to see Ali on Eamonn Andrews' show. Thanks! It may be one of the best interviews around, especially given how the other guests spontaneously began to ask him questions, and he was effortlessly engaging and funny.

FUN: The Beatles and Muhammad Ali gave us so much of that, and that's so much a part of their legacy. They were positive forces.

I could go on and on about it, but we know: The Beatles and Muhammad Ali. Tremendously influential, more than any other 60's figures.

Funny thing.

They met at the height of their fame. The Beatles sure knew who Muhammad Ali was. But all there was, was a comical photo opportunity down in Florida. Ali was training there, and the Fab Four were getting read for another Sullivan show.

Today I was checking the Internet, looking at various streaming broadcasts and websites with tributes. Over at ESPN site, two veteran reporters discussed Ali and mentioned the time The Beatles and Ali met. One of them quoted a line from Ali about the "little fellows." The other smirked and said, "That's not exactly what he said, but close enough for television!"

Unlike Dylan meeting the Beatles, or Ali meeting Foreman, this was NOT really a moment for the ages. It was just a silly photo session. But yes, there was an amusing un-PC punchline from Muhammad Ali.