Dean Martin Roasts Evel Knievel

Dr. Evel

Once in a great while, someone in the motorcycling world gets well known enough to cross over into the mainstream of popularity here in America. No one, however, beats Evel Knievel in that regard. Kount’s Kustoms, The Orange County Choppers guys, even Jesse James and Arlen Ness haven’t reached quite the level of renown Evel Knievel did over the course of building his legend outside of the motorcycle industry. And that’s saying something; everybody at least has heard of a few of those guys.
Setting aside the stunts…

…toys…

…and his own museum in his honor…

There’s one honor no one else I know of in motorcycling has EVER received other than Evel Knievel…

Back in the ancient times of 1976, Dean Martin hosted Knievel as the Man of the Hour on NBC for one of his infamous roasts. Although Comedy Central brought back the Friar’s Club Roast to TV in recent years, I’ve yet to see anyone else in our industry given the honor of being insulted by famous comedians on national television for for over an hour. Who would you pick from the world of motorcycling for that now?