Earliest Form of Ring Music?

[HomicideHenry]

Today we have guys always coming into the ring with their choice of music. For Ricky Hatton, for example, it's Blue Moon. But I been thinking, when did this first start?

The earliest fight I can remember ever having music during the walk to the ring was in the first "Fight of The Century" between Jack Johnson and Jim Jefferies, as the heavily popular (though extremely racist) song "All Coons Look Alike To Me" was played by a live band as Johnson got into the ring.

Ironically enough, the writer of the song Ernest Hogan, was a black man who more or less stole the music and lyrics off a previous song entitled "All Pimps Look Alike To Me" and replaced Pimps with Coons.

Btw, does anyone know where the lyrics for that particular song could be? I managed to download the music to "All Coons Look Alike To Me" but couldn't find the words, oddly enough.

[I Feel Fine]

There were probably a lot of instances of live bands accompanying a fighter into the ring, but the earliest use of recorded music, like they do today, that I've seen was for Ali-Spinks I. Ali came out to "Pomp and Circumstance", I don't remember what Spinks came out to. There may have been earlier instances, but that's the earliest I've seen.

[Borinken25]

Try Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera. He used to come to the ring back in the early 70’s with salsa music. That is why people in Puerto Rico nickname him “El Salsero”. Once he came to the ring with a snake rap around his neck and dancing to the beat of the music. Really funy.

[Ambling Alp]

I think he brought a snake into the ring in several of his fights. Actually, when I think of him I automatically think of the snakes, not the music. Jake Roberts may have stolen his act.

[dempseyfire]

Try Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera. He used to come to the ring back in the early 70’s with salsa music. That is why people in Puerto Rico nickname him “El Salsero”. Once he came to the ring with a snake rap around his neck and dancing to the beat of the music. Really funy.

I actually think Latino/Mexican fighters were the first to regularly use "entrance" music, usually their native country's indigenous music (Mexican ranchero, Caribbean salsa etc.) in the 60s-70s.

[Maxie's Gal]

Btw, does anyone know where the lyrics for that particular song could be? I managed to download the music to "All Coons Look Alike To Me" but couldn't find the words, oddly enough.

Here you go. I found it, along with background info at: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/songs/question1.html

“All Coons Look Alike to Me”
Ernest Hogan, 1896

Talk about a coon a having trouble
I think I have enough of ma own
It's alla bout ma Lucy Jane Stubbles
And she has caused my heart to mourn
Thar’s another coon barber from Virginia
In soci’ty he’s the leader of the day
And now ma honey gal is gwine to quit me
Yes she’s gone and drove this coon away
She’d no excuse to turn me loose
I’ve been abused, I’m all confused
Cause these words she did say

Chorus:
All coons look alike to me
I’ve got another beau, you see
And he’s just as good to me as you, nig!
Ever tried to be
He spends his money free,
I know we can’t agree
So I don’t like you no how
All coons look alike to me

Never said a word to hurt her feelings
I always bou’t her presents by the score
And now my brain with sorrow am a reeling
Cause she won’t accept them any more
If I treated her wrong she may have loved me
Like all the rest she’s gone and let me down
If I’m lucky I’m a gwine to catch my policy
And win my sweet thing way from town
For I’m worried, yes, I’m desp’rate
I’ve been Jonahed, and I’ll get dang’rous
If these words she says to me

[HomicideHenry]

thanks Maxie's Girl, greatly appreciate it

[Brute]

A variation of this was The Irishman Rinty Monaghan, World Flyweight Champion of the late 1940s who used to sing 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" after his fights.