In 1975, British singer Johnny Wakelin broke onto the Top 40 chart with a song called “Muhammad Ali Black Superman Song,” a chirpy ditty that celebrated “The Greatest.”
Ali was 22 years old in 1964, when he won his first world heavyweight boxing championship—just as as the first wave of Boomers were prepping for their for high school graduation.
Sometimes the word “icon” is given to folks who fall short of really deserving that designation, but in the sports world and on the world stage, no one can deny that description to the boxing great, who will be laid to rest today, in his hometown of Louisville, KY.
He’ll will remain in our hearts and in history forever.