This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2022
This unique photograph captures two legends, Cassius Clay and Stevie Wonder, at the beginning of their mercurial careers. Clay, who would of course later change his name to Muhammad Ali, was an up-and-coming heavyweight at the time, having made a name for himself in the brutal fight against Doug Jones in March of 1963. At the time this photo was snapped, September 1963, Clay was renowned for his “trash talking” and was the top contender for Sonny Liston's heavyweight title. Stevie Wonder was just 13 at the time, but already had a string of singles on Motown Records. It was his 1963 smash hit “Fingertips” that had probably brought him to Harlem's Apollo Theater, where his photo was taken with Cassius Clay. The candid shot shows Clay clowning around with Stevie Wonder backstage, sitting on a bench alongside other Rhythm and Blues musicians before a show. It should be noted that besides Clay and Wonder, a young Ronnie of Ronnie and the Ronettes gazes right at the camera, along with singers Dionne Warwick, Betty Harris, and Dee Dee Sharp, who was dating Cassius Clay at the time. The photo is printed to the edge of the paper without a white border. The edges show just very light wear while the corners remain sharp. The reverse has a Motown Records stamp and there is some water staining and glue residue present. The photo has been encapsulated and graded an Authentic Type 1 by PSA.