[Who would aspire to be a “Celebrity Gossipist?” Oh well, it’s not the first time I’ve succumbed to clickbait. SB SM]
Ben Don, Celebrity Gossipist, February 16
John Lennon, the late iconic musician, harbored a notable disdain towards legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, attributing it to an encounter that occurred during the height of The Beatles’ fame. According to photographer Harry Benson, who documented much of The Beatles’ journey, Lennon’s sentiments stemmed from an interaction that left the band feeling belittled and unimpressed. This encounter, Benson claims, occurred in February 1964, during The Beatles’ first trip to the United States, a pivotal moment as they were on the cusp of achieving global stardom. It was a time when Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was also rising to prominence in the world of boxing.
Benson vividly recalls the meeting between The Beatles and Muhammad Ali, highlighting the stark contrast in physical stature between the towering boxer and the diminutive members of the band. Ali’s confident banter, however, reportedly rubbed the band members the wrong way, particularly John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The brash boxer didn’t mince words, teasing the group about their appearance and dismissing their singing talents. Benson recounts Ali’s taunts, recalling how he ridiculed the band members, challenging their perception of themselves as good-looking men. The encounter left a sour taste for Lennon, who later expressed to Benson his frustration, blaming him for orchestrating the meeting that ended up making them “look really stupid.”
According to Benson’s recollection, the fallout from the encounter was significant. Lennon, McCartney, and likely the rest of the band members, including Ringo Starr and George Harrison, refused to speak to Benson for a prolonged period, signaling the depth of their displeasure and embarrassment. It’s a testament to the impact that Muhammad Ali’s words had on The Beatles, who were accustomed to adulation and praise, finding themselves on the receiving end of sharp criticism from a figure as revered and influential as the boxing champion.
However, accounts of the encounter between The Beatles and Muhammad Ali vary. While Benson’s recollection paints a picture of tension and discomfort, George Harrison had previously described Ali as “quite cute” and suggested that the boxer was eager to meet the band. Nevertheless, Benson stands firm in his portrayal of Ali’s indifference towards The Beatles, asserting that the boxer was unimpressed and indifferent to the band’s fame and musical prowess.
Years later, following Muhammad Ali’s passing in 2016, Paul McCartney paid tribute to the boxing legend by sharing a photo from their encounter in Miami. In his heartfelt tribute, McCartney reminisced about the warmth and humor that characterized Ali’s personality, describing him as a “beautiful, gentle man.” Despite the rocky start to their relationship, McCartney’s words underscored the deep respect and admiration that he, and likely the rest of The Beatles, held for Ali in the years that followed their initial encounter.
In the broader context of music and cultural history, the encounter between The Beatles and Muhammad Ali serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of fame and celebrity. It highlights the vulnerability of even the most iconic figures to moments of insecurity and discomfort, as well as the enduring impact of words and interactions, even decades after they occur.
These pictures, however, paint a very different portrait of when The Beatles met Muhammad Ali:
