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Greatest Ad-Lib In the History of Mankind

Monday 11/07/2005 8:14 AM

Did you happen to catch 60 Minutes last nite? They did a great piece on Neil Armstrong.

Like a lot pf people probably, I've always wondered about that famous line and, once again, Armstrong insisted it was not pre-planned. You know, when you watch the original feed or just listen to it, you can hear those pauses and, after what Armstrong said was going through his head, I think I believe him.

Armstrong said it was supposed to be a small step down to the moon's surface, but it ended up being bigger jump than he expected. Thoughts are running through his mind and as he steps down he says, "That's one small step for man." There is a long pause and Armstrong said he started thinking about the hundred thousand people who helped him get to where he was and then he thought about all the other people in the country and the world and he followed it up with, "One..." — pauses briefly to run the words through his head — "giant leap for mankind."

Greatest ad-lib in history.


I can't talk about the moon landing without mentioning Gil Scott-Heron's classic song as well. Gill Scott-Heron was an African American artist in the early 70's whose music ranged from folk and light funk. Most of the topics he covered were social commentaries. He has a great song about the irony of the USA putting a man on the moon while he is barely surviving in the ghetto. With just a conga drum playing in the background, Gil Scott-Heron leverages his criticism:

Whitey on the Moon

A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey's on the moon)
I can't pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Whitey's on the moon)
The man jus' upped my rent las' night.
('cause Whitey's on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
I wonder why he's uppi' me?
('cause Whitey's on the moon?)
I wuz already payin' 'im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Taxes takin' my whole damn check,
Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin' up,
An' as if all that !#@%$ wuzn't enough:
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an' arm began to swell.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Was all that money I made las' year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come there ain't no money here?
(Hmm! Whitey's on the moon)
Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I'll sen' these doctor bills,
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)

Makes me wonder what he would have come up with if he was at the Superdome in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

File Under: History; Music
Music: Gil Scott-Heron "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"

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