Rock Rock Rock - Alan Freed and Rock n Roll

Cleveland based Alan Freed was the most influential DJ in the 1950s who's said to have coined the term, "rock 'n roll." Which is why the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Museum is located where he got his start -- in Cleveland.

He took a job at a local radio station ostensibly to cater to African Americans but the music he played resonated with an increasingly white audience.

His career soared as rock n roll caught on. A station in New York made him an offer and off he went to the big city. His fame grew and Hollywood came calling.

Freed ended up in several low budget films aimed at teenagers who loved the simple love story plots interspersed with music performed by artists Freed represented.

Features: Chuck Berry, the Flamingos, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Moonglows, LaVern Baker and introducing Tuesday Weld.

Freed was eventually hounded by Congress and the New York DA and his career was ruined but he got off with a small fine.

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