Wake Up Dancing presents - Words and Music with Johnny Lira; 1993-2008
Played: 569 | Download | Duration: 01:19:50
A unique character needs extraordinary help.
I last saw Johnny Lira just a couple of weeks ago on the corner of Grand and Damen. I had only seen him a couple of times since the reunion of Union League Boys and Girls Club Two Alumni at Salerno’s back in August, 2007. Before this last meeting, Johnny had looked pretty good when I saw him last. He was still quick with the mind and always moving swiftly. A quick conversation and off he went to take care of another brainstorm of his-normally a mission to help someone else. This last time, however-Johnny wasn’t the Johnny who we have all come to know and respect.
Johnny has seemingly aged years in the past few months. He has lost lots of weight, he’s grayer than ever, and he now has a midsection unlike the one which he displayed throughout his years as a professional boxer, youth development worker, film actor and all around rabble rouser. The Johnny I last saw looked like he may be struggling to make it to the end of the fight. In fact it was from his hospital room that Johnny pulled one of his latest pranks, convincing radio’s Mike North that he was sharing a room with former Chicago Cub Mark Grace. North put “Mark Grace” on the air, only to hear the voice of Johnny’s hospital roommate-classic Lira.
For the past few months, only family members and close friends have been aware of Johnny’s medical struggles. He has been a regular patient at the Walter Payton Liver Center at Chicago’s UIC Hospital. This battle is the reason that Johnnny doesn’t seem to be Johnny very much anymore. He has his moments, but the truth is Johnnny Lira needs our help and support.
As you may know, Johnny devoted years to try and secure a retirement and pension plan for former boxers, and through all of his efforts and connections, the plan has yet to be put in place. It’s a shame, because Johnny could use such a plan now.
On Saturday, July 19th, 2008 the Degerberg Academy is hosted a benefit for Chicago’s former Golden Gloves, AAU, CYO and United States Lightweight Boxing Champion Johnny Lira. The event is endorsed by his immediate family and tickets are sold with proceeds to help Johnny and his family manage his mounting medical costs and living expenses.
The event was a tremendous success with a few hundred friends, both old and new in attendance to help pay tribute to someone who has done so much for so many. Nina and the family have expressed their gratitude to all who played a role in planning, attending and supporting Johnny Lira Fight Night.
I have known Johnny for more than 30 years. He impacted me while I was a Boys and Girls Club member and he has continued to help our youth as I eventually became a Club Director. Let’s help someone who has helped so many others. My latest radio interview with Johnny can be found at www.wakeupdancing.com as aired on WCEV 1450 AM.
Harv Roman
wakeupdancing.com
Please enjoy this radio tribute to one of Chicago's Extraordinary Characters, Johnny Lira!
Friends of Johnny Lira
North Community Bank
5241 North Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
wakeupdancing.com
Please enjoy this radio tribute to one of Chicago's Extraordinary Characters, Johnny Lira!
Friends of Johnny Lira
North Community Bank
5241 North Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
Life Hits Back (The School of Hard Knocks)
Johnny Lira could have been considered a “street punk”, a kid with a bad attitude. The kind of kid who would dare to be different, carrying that smirk that told you that he was up to something, but he wasn’t about to tell you what. Yeah, he was Italian, but you wouldn’t have known it by the company he kept. That red headed freckle faced kid made friends with all kinds-Puerto Rican, Black, Mexican…it didn’t matter, as long as Johnny was having a good time.
Johnny was also one for the underdog. He was accepted by the Puerto Rican kids, and respected by the Italians who had a foothold on the neighborhood. He stood up for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. He didn’t even need to really know you, he just wanted a good fight. There were plenty who wanted to beat him, but most couldn’t handle the street smarts and natural athletic skills that Johnny possessed. They tried, but more often than not, Johnny was the victor, in the streets, and eventually in the ring. But first, he needed to make his points.
He made his point the day that he was introduced to the Club Director, who wanted to know who the toughest kid in the Club was. Johnny’s confidence (arrogance/cockiness) prompted him to accept the challenge of taking (and giving a punch) to the much older man in charge. Johnny made his points in other ways. You name it, Johnny was probably charged with it. Assault? Sure! Battery? Yup! Gang banging? Hey, that was just Johnny and his boys having fun! Robbery? C’mon, that was so easy. If there was a way for Johnny to get into trouble, he found it. Most of the time, he got away with it. Until that one last time…
Yeah, Johnny got caught. Found himself face to face with someone who actually cared more than most in his position-Judge Aspen. As he was about to close the book on Johnny’s brushes with the law, he managed to discover that Johnny had some marketable skills. The very skills which took him from the streets of Chicago’s gang wars to the Championships of the Golden Gloves. I imagine that Johnny’s smooth talking also had something to do with it. No matter what it was, Johnny was challenged to make a living with his marketable skills. Come back to the courtroom to brag about your successes in and out of the ring, and things might just turn out okay. Return to the courthouse in the designer clothes from 26th and California, you may as well learn to sleep on concrete with one eye open.
A few championship titles, newspaper articles, movies and dozens of impacted lives later, I think you know how things turned out. Johnny was pretty good at hitting life back.
All donations can be made payable to:
Friends of Johnny Lira
North Community Bank
5241 North Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
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I was nine years old the first time I saw Johnny Lira. I remember it very clearly because it was the first time I was in the presence of a star. Johnny was a celebrity and I was a new member of the Union League Boys Club #2.
Taking in the surroundings and culture in that magnificent place over 30 years ago was something. So many personalities and colors. The heat in the gymnasium from the various dodge ball/basketball/kickball games, the smell of chlorine in the pool, the wood particles in air in the wood shop, the cold competition in the game rooms. The club was a vibrant living building with so many activities. A place where a kid was challenged and encouraged in a safe environment.
That first week I remember being quite nervous just trying to feel my way around with the many things to do and various characters. However, there was one area that was special. There was always a crowd in the basement where the boxing program was churning out world class athletes. Lots of kids and young adults, I would stand at the door and just watch the energy. It was amazing. Johnny Lira was at the center of this universe. Everyone wanted to know Johnny. Everyone wanted to talk to Johnny. He was larger than life.
I would hang out in the hallway whenever the traffic was slow and try to catch a glimpse. I was intimidated by the room and could never muster the courage to just walk in. On one occasion I went downstairs and found Johnny working out on a heavy bag with no one else around. The room was empty, the hall was empty. I just stood there and took it all in. After about six rounds Johnny stopped, walked over to the door and brought me into the gym. He walked me over to a mirror and positioned me in a fighting stance and went back to the heavy bag and continued working out. I was partially in shook but did as he instructed. He would stop between rounds and come over and talk to me. He was actually training me. How cool...
I was back at the gym everyday from then on. I learned to fight and had a decent amateur career and a short but respectable professional career as well.
Johnny was involved in both the beginning of my boxing career as a nine year old and the end with my last professional fight. Oddly enough I fought against a fighter who had Johnny working in his corner. I broke both my hands in that fight which ended my career. I learned a little something that evening because until that fight I had one loss and won every other fight by KO in the first round. I had never seen the second round of a fight as a professional. It tested my heart and I won a fight by decision with two broken hands. I’m sure some of Johnny’s toughness inspired me that evening.
Read on as the comment continues...
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On another occasion about a year or two before my last fight I was in the gym working out when a casting person came in looking for fighters for a boxing movie that was going to shoot in Chicago. I got on board and who would I run into during filming, none other than your friendly neighborhood Johnny Lira who would also steal the show with a couple days work.
Johnny has always looked out for the neighborhood youth, developing confidence, teaching hard work, dedication, and respect. He has worked very hard fighting for a pension plan for retired boxers and continues to stand up for the neighborhood kid with his political involvement and work with the clubs. I was affected positively by Johnny’s influence and without question Johnny Lira is one of my heroes.
Today we are presented with a great opportunity to give back to a man that has given so much to our community. As your situation will allow, please give generously as the proceeds will help offset significant medical and living expenses.
Thanks in advance for your support and please keep Johnny and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Carlos Vargas, Former Union League Boys and Girls Club Two member and boxing student of Johnny Lira
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