Alan Freed

Alan Freed (December 15, 1922 - January 20, 1965) was a United States DJ, best known today for his pioneer role in promoting Rock and Roll but his contribution was overshadowed by the payola scandal that ended his career.

Often credited with coining the phrase "rock and roll", while working as a disc jockey at Cleveland, Ohio radio station, on March 21, 1952 he organized the first rock and roll concert called "The Moondog Coronation Ball". The event, attended mainly by African-Americans, proved a huge drawing card - the first event had to be ended early due to overcrowding - and two years later he moved to New York City to WINS radio station where he introduced white teens to the new sound.

Freed became a popular radio and television personality, but his career ended when accusations were made that he had accepted payola – that is, taken bribes to play specific records. Although his problems began before payola became illegal (in 1960), in 1962 he pleaded guilty to two charges of commercial bribery and received a fine and a suspended sentence.

Alan Freed died in a Palm Springs, California hospital in 1965 suffering from uraemia and cirrhosis of the liver. He was interred in the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

A motion picture entitled American Hot Wax was released in 1978 which is based on Freed's contribution to the rock and roll scene, leading up to a concert that was held in New York City in 1959. Several notable personalities starred in the movie, who would later become well-known celebrities, including Jay Leno and Fran Drescher, and there was even a cameo appearance by Chuck Berry, performing in the concert segment.

In 1986, he was part of the first group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, built in Cleveland because of him. In 1988, he was also posthumously inducted into the