Alan Freed

Alan Freed (December 15th 1922 with Johnstown (Pennsylvania) - January 20th 1965 with Palm Springs (California) was a Disc-jockey radio which played an important role in the promotion of the Rock' Roll and of the Rhythm' Blues in the Années 1950.

Biography

Veteran of the Second world war, Alan Freed begins his radio career as sporting commentator with WKST with New Castle (Pennsylvania) then becomes director of the programs on WKBN (Youngstown, Ohio) then WIBE (Philadelphia). These performances on these local stations enable him to join WAKR (Akron, Ohio) then WKEL (Cleveland) as an organizer.

It joined WJW in 1951, where it animates a program of evening: Moondog' S Rock' Roll Party . It is the first diffusion of the rock' roll to a broad audience. Alan Freed finds its name in Rock' Roll by taking again an expression of use since the Années 1930 in certain songs of rythm' blues and which means in slang to make love .

It organizes as of 1952 the first concerts of black artists. Alan Freed is the first white DJ has to support with force of the black artists playing the “music of the devil”. The great New Yorkean station makes a gold bridge with Alan Freed in 1954. Freed animates its programs then on line Paramount Theater of Brooklyn. Freed passes then to WABC.

Freed also makes the actor in some films treating of the beginnings of the rock' roll with the sides of his/her friends musicians. Let us quote Rock Around the Clock (1956), Rock, Rock, Rock (1956), Mr. Rock-and-roll (1957), Don' T Knock the Rock (1957) and Go, Johnny Go! (1959).

The American good company makes its enemy number 1 of it, but Alan Freed proves a long time untouchable because of its popularity, without equal in the world of the radio. To the image of the movement rock'n'roll which “dies” in 1959, Alan Freed is returned of to WABC.

The media career of Freed is not limited to the radio, and television also uses its talents. In 1957, its show tele is cancelled when the black singer Frankie Lymon is filmed dancing with a white woman.

It also signs some texts of songs for Chuck Berry in particular.

Following the scandal of Payola, Alan Freed is completely discredited by an American good company which held, finally, its revenge. The lawsuit was held in December 1962 and Alan Freed preferred to plead guilty, inheriting a formal fine of 300 dollars. End 1964, of new attacks fuse concerning the taxation of Freed, then at the hospital. He dies the January 20th 1965.

Alan Freed is regarded today as one of the most important radio operator DJ of the XXe century.

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