The program

“A Night with the Champ — A Tribute to Joe Louis” on Nov. 9, 1978, at Caesars Palace was a star-studded event featuring A-listers serving in various roles to keep the night moving along the script.

Masters of ceremonies

Frank Sinatra

Howard Cosell

Invocation

Rev. Jesse Jackson

National anthem

Robert Merrill

Performers (center stage)

Frank Sinatra

Wayne Newton

Dean Martin

Paul Anka

Tom Jones

Sammy Cahn

Billy Daniels

Performers (lectern)

Milton Berle

Rich Little

Joey Bishop

Slappy White

Jack Carter

Redd Foxx

Jackie Gayle

Red Buttons

The attendees

Taking part in “A Night with the Champ — A Tribute to Joe Louis” on Nov. 9, 1978, were celebrity performers, religious leaders, sports stars and political dignitaries. Among them were:

Boxing

Muhammed Ali

Billy Conn

Leon Spinks

Sugar Ray Robinson

Max Schmeling

Ken Norton

Lou Nova

Larry Holmes

Tony Galento

Charlie Fusari

Floyd Patterson

Ingemar Johansson

Don King

Martha Louis

Golf

Doug Sanders

Baseball

Tommy Lasorda

Tommy John

Steve Garvey

Charlie Hough

Reggie Smith

Roger Maris

Rod Carew

Reggie Jackson

Jim Rice

Joe Torre

Willie Mays

Ernie Banks

Bill Russell

Football

Jim Brown

Deacon Jones

George Allen

Rosie Grier

Darrell Royal

Joe Namath

Tennis

Jimmy Connors

Don Budge

Rod Laver

Entertainment

Gregory Peck

Telly Savalas

Orson Welles

Valerie Harper

Gene Kelly

Jon Voight

Jack Klugman

Kristy Mcnichols

Connie Stevens

Cary Grant

Robert Conrad

Mike Douglas

Clint Eastwood

Alice Cooper

Norman Lear

Political dignitaries

Gov. Mike O’callahan

Lt. Gov. Robert Rose

Sen. Howard Cannon, D-nev.

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley

Detroit Mayor Coleman Young

Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards

U.S. Army Gen. Clifford Alexander