Legendary disk jockey Alan Freed is credited with inventing the words "rock and roll" to discribe the uptempo black music he played as early as 1951 on his Cleveland radio station. He didn't call himself "The Moondog" or his show the "Moondog Rock N' Roll Party" for nothing.

A tireless advocate of the music he played, Alan kept time to his records by hitting his hands on a phone book. To him, "It seemed to hint at the rolling beat of the music" hence the name rock n' roll. The 1952 Moondog Coronation Ball was sponsored by Freed is seen by some as the first rock and roll concert.

After victory in Cleveland, he took his show to New York City where he continured to spend the gospel of rock and roll via TV, movies and the concerts he promoted at The Paramount Theater.

Alas, at the end of the 50s, Alan fell victim to the payola scandals.

Thanks so much for all that you have done for rock and roll, Alan! Keep the music playing, man!

Hey, Zach. I just want to say how much I have enjoyed reading your comments on this site. You and I share a love for great music. Thank you for reaching out to me when I started posting comments on this site.

Is there anything else that you like about me besides my taste in music?

Posted by Andrew on Wednesday, 04/10/2013 @ 13:35pm

Andrew, did you ever see any of the 1950s movies that featured Alan Freed? He made five appearances as himself from 1956-1959. These are the films in which Freed starred:

Rock Around the Clock (1956)
Rock Rock Rock! (1956)
Don't Knock the Rock (1956)
Mister Rock and Roll (1957)
Go, Johnny, Go! (1959)

So far I've only seen Go, Johnny, Go!, but I am eager to check out the rest. I did buy a copy of Rock Rock Rock! on VHS at a used bookstore, but still haven't watched it yet.

Even though the bulk of the performances in Go, Johnny, Go! are lip-synched, the sheer star power is enough to recommend the film. Chuck Berry (Berry even has a featured role here), Eddie Cochran, The Cadillacs, Jackie Wilson, Ritchie Valens, The Flamingos, Jo Ann Campbell, and The Moonglows all perform in GJG. I watched it on Turner Classic Movies last winter. I recommend it to anyone who is a serious devotee of the golden era of rock 'n roll.

Besides the tastes in music that we share, I enjoy the diversity of your interests. I'm not really acquainted with your non-music interests, so I'm afraid I can't say a whole lot else. Feel free to tell me more about your other hobbies. I'm always in the mood for a good conversation.

BTW, my radio show will be reairing this Saturday night from 6-8:00 P.M. I invite you to listen.
Here is the link:

http://www.live365.com/stations/ectv73?site=pro

This show features cuts from the Benny Goodman Orchestra (with the incomparable Charlie Christian on guitar), Jerry Lee Lewis, Alice Cooper, Tears for Fears, The Big Bopper, and many others. I also mix in a lot of vintage drive-in movie radio commercials from the 1950s-1980s. Please let me know what you think of it. Thanks!

And as I always say...

GIVE ME MORE OF THE PAST SO THAT I CAN ENJOY THE PRESENT!

Posted by Zach on Friday, 04/12/2013 @ 20:50pm