http://sports.yahoo.com/news/muhammad-ali--simply--the-greatest---dead-at-74-042902069.html
continues to not be a good year for famous people
One of the coolest cats I’ve EVER met. Blessings and peace to his family and homies.
“THE GREATEST” REMEMBERED
It was January 18, 2002 and I was with my wife at L’Orangerie in Beverly Hills to celebrate our first year wedding anniversary. L’Orangerie no longer exists, but at the time it was one of the top rated fancy-pants French restaurants in LA.
Our table was along a long row and there was a larger round group table about 15 feet or so in front of us. It was a family and they were having a birthday party. I soon realized that, while this family was keeping a low profile for their nice intimate evening, the man of honor was anything but low profile. It was Muhammad Ali and his family was there to honor his 60th birthday.
It wasn’t long before the restaurant was buzzing a bit with respect to the celebrity guest, but people generally respected their space and privacy. Ali knew he was anything but secret, though, and when he finished with the main proceedings of sacred time with his family (dinner, cake, presents), he got up to bless the rest of us.
He never said a word, but he said so much. He graciously went to every single table, smiling at every person and shaking hands with every person. He clearly loved the attention, but also seemed to be making a true gesture of thanks and appreciation to the public. His Parkinsons was pretty bad at this point, but he shuffled around and gave a handshake to everyone.
When he was done shaking hands and felt comfortable in his surroundings he REALLY became the man of the moment. He owned that restaurant and did whatever he felt like and mingled all over the place, soaking up the love and respect of everyone. He had some silly magic trick toy that one of his kids had given him as a joke, apparently. I don’t remember exactly how it worked, but was like one of those dumb disappearing stick or string tricks that you buy at Spencer’s for $5. He proudly wend to various tables performing his trick and grinning largely. And when someone asked him for an autograph, he sat down and started doodling some random drawing on one of the restaurant’s white linen napkins.
His family (Layla Ali, Maryum, and all the other notables were there too) was super relaxed and didn’t worry at all about the patriarch tooling around the place and hobnobbing with strangers.
And then a noise came out from the lounge area (just on the other side of the restaurant). Loud atonal banging on a piano, like you would hear when a 5 year old plays on Grandma’s piano. There were a couple looks and snickers and one of Muhammad Ali’s sons laughed a bit, “HAHA!! Dad’s on the piano?” He just kind of rolled his eyes and they went back to their business. No one was going to stop Muhammad Ali from smashing away at the bar’s baby grand.
Eventually, someone (one of the bus boys, I think) asked if he could have a photograph. As they stood in position, Ali grabbed the guy’s hand and forced it into a fist. We didn’t know what was going on, but watched intently. Ali took that man’s balled fist and then placed it on the side of his own face, giving that man what I’m sure will be the most badass photo he will ever have of him punching The Champ in the face. He did this for several others too. This was in the days before cell phone cameras, so I’m sad to say I did not get a photo.
He did not deny a single fan or person their moment. He was always center stage, but that night he lifted all of us up with him. And whether they were already a fan of Ali or not, EVERYONE left with a huge love for the dude. He blessed every single person in that restaurant.
And he blessed me.
I will never forget him.
That’s a great story, man. You gave me chills.
Thanks, Brother!
I would have thought more people would care about this. He was the one of the raddest and most charismatic dudes ever. Even if you didn’t like boxing he’s one of those huge personalities that everyone recognized.
Anyway, I’m sad to see him go and I wish all the best for his family and friends.
2016 is such a cunt…Ali was a giant…the likes of which we won’t see again…
2016 is such a cunt…Ali was a giant…the likes of which we won’t see again…
It really is being exceptionally cunty.
I don’t even dare say it probably is done because God only knows what else it’s gonna sucker punch us with.