Died On This Date (November 7, 2011) Joe Frazier / Heavyweight Boxing Champ; Soul Singer

Joe Frazier
January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011

Known to millions around the world as “Smokin’ Joe” inside the boxing ring, Joe Frazier also flirted with a career in music by fronting his own R&B group, the Knockouts.  As a fighter, Frazier’s well-documented career included a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics as well as numerous professional victories over the likes of Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, and of course, Muhammad Ali, in a 1971 fight that has been dubbed the “Fight Of The Century.”  His trio of battles with Ali (including the legendary 1975 “Thilla In Manilla”) made up one the greatest rivalries in sports history.  Throughout the course of his professional career, Frazier had an impressive record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.  What many didn’t know however, was that Frazier could very well have been a champ of the music charts as well.  He loved to sing – both inside the ring and out, and he recorded several decent records over the years.  That list includes “If You Go, Stay Gone,” “Little Dog Heaven,” “The Bigger They Come,” and “You Got The Love.”  He also formed his own soul revue outfit, Joe Frazier & the Knockouts, who performed regularly in Las Vegas, Reno, and beyond.  In September of 2011, Joe Frazier learned he was suffering from liver cancer, and on November 7, 2011, the cancer took his life.  He was 67.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.