You may disagree, but I’m convinced: the words “rooftop” and “New York” were made for each other. One simply cannot exist without the other. This is a city where sky and architecture meet at every corner, as if New York itself invented the idea of conversations and meetings at altitude.
The Golden Era of Manhattan and the Iconic Promoter Don King
Today’s historical photo of New York takes us back to 1975, to the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center. The image perfectly captures the spirit of Manhattan’s golden era — a time when million-dollar deals and contracts were discussed not in stuffy offices, but on skyscraper rooftops, surrounded by skyline views and ambition.
At the center of the photograph stands the legendary boxing promoter Don King, recognizable by his signature afro. In the 1970s, he became one of the most prominent figures in the world of boxing, organizing some of the sport’s most iconic fights:
- “Rumble in the Jungle” (Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, 1974)
- “Thrilla in Manila” (Ali vs. Joe Frazier, 1975)
Don King is a controversial figure. He wasn’t just a promoter — he was a true showman, turning boxing into a global spectacle and a cornerstone of pop culture. He worked with the greatest fighters of all time, though nearly all of them later took him to court. Even Mike Tyson sued King for $100 million, claiming financial misconduct.
And yet, without Don King, modern boxing wouldn’t be the same — not as grand, not as commercial, not as entertaining. His charisma and showmanship made him a pop icon: he appeared in The Simpsons, South Park, and was even featured in the Xbox video game Don King Presents: Prizefighter.
Photographer: Paul Slade
