On February 8, 1964, renowned photographer Harry Benson arranged a meeting between the iconic British band, The Beatles, and the rising boxing star, Muhammad Ali, in Miami. Little did Benson know that this encounter would not go down as smoothly as he had hoped. According to Benson, Ali's larger-than-life persona and sharp-tongued repartee left the Fab Four feeling rather small and foolish, particularly John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Ali, who was preparing to fight Sonny Liston at the time, effortlessly dominated the conversation, verbally belittling the band members. He scoffed at their notion of being good-looking, referring to them as 'tiny, small, little men' while emphasizing his own physical presence. Not only did Ali criticize their appearance, but he also expressed his disdain for their singing abilities, much to the dismay of The Beatles.
Benson vividly recalls Lennon's frustration, who apparently blamed the photographer for orchestrating this encounter that ended up making them look 'really f - - king stupid.' The band was so displeased that they refused to speak to Benson for three whole months after the event.
Interestingly, McCartney's sentiment towards Ali seemed to have evolved over time. When the legendary boxer passed away in 2016, McCartney shared a photograph from their meeting on social media, expressing his admiration for the man. He called Ali a 'beautiful, gentle man with a great sense of humor,' reflecting a change in perspective that had occurred since that initial encounter.
On the other hand, George Harrison seemed to have a more lighthearted take on the situation. Describing Ali as 'quite cute,' he seemed to imply that he found Ali's clamoring to meet the band amusing. However, this contradicts Benson's recollection, as he believes that Ali 'couldn't care less' about The Beatles at the time.
These revelations have resurfaced as Benson commemorates the 60th anniversary of his iconic photographs documenting The Beatles' tour. To celebrate this milestone, Barbara Tober, David Patrick Columbia, and Grace and Chris Meigher recently hosted a screening of the 2016 documentary, 'Harry Benson: Shoot First,' at the Museum of Arts and Design, followed by a dinner at the museum's restaurant, Robert.
While this encounter might have left a sour taste in the mouths of The Beatles back in 1964, it serves as a fascinating piece of history, highlighting the clash between two immensely talented and influential figures of the era. Ali's commanding presence and sharp wit undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the band, and although their initial reaction may have been one of disdain, their sentiments towards Ali seem to have evolved over time.
