Woodstock Music Icon Michael Lang Honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

Best known for co-producing and creating the original 1969 Woodstock Festival, Michael Lang received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the seventh annual Muhammed Ali Humanitarian Awards on September 12th. In 1969, the original Woodstock Festival brought together half a million people in a celebration of peace, music and love. Woodstock continues to highlight social, environmental and political causes like Head Count; to organize communities around those causes; to develop socially responsible events and products for those communities; and to encourage positive, creative expression. The purpose of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, an annual fundraiser for the Muhammad Ali Center, is to harness the power of the late Muhammad Ali’s legacy by recognizing individuals who are driven by a call to action to effect positive change in the world and to encourage young people worldwide to have the courage to become actively involved in social justice issues that are impacting their communities and their countries. “Ali elevated the concept of rock star to another universe altogether, just because of who he was and how he lived his life,” Michael shared in his acceptance speech. “Over the course of the decades, Ali’s moral authority grew.  Instead of being disdained for his actions he became admired and ultimately beloved worldwide. His integrity was held in awe and his journey and its’ outcome became the stuff of legends, teaching, and inspiring others.  Towards the end of his life, his humility, humanity and vulnerability became a role model for people everywhere.” Lang considered Ali to be a true model of courage, power, and righteousness. See full speech below: “Good evening everyone. A special hello to Mr. Ali’s family, all the other honorees, the staff of the Ali Center. And you who are continuing Muhammad Ali’s remarkable work.  To be honest, I cannot believe I am on stage receiving this honor in the reflected light of Muhammad Ali. I have known many rock stars over my years in music, and the man who shined brighter than any other rock star then or now was of course, the greatest of all, Muhammad Ali.  Many of you may not recall that Ali actually earned a Grammy nomination for his 1976 record titled “Ali and his Gang vs. Mr. Tooth Decay” urging kids not to eat sugar! Even more unbelievable were the guests joining him: Frank Sinatra, Richie Havens, Ossie Davis and Howard Cosell amongst others. Talking about...