Alan Freed (December 15, 1922– January 20, 1965) was an American disc jockey, radio host, and concert promoter who is widely credited with popularizing the term "rock and roll" and introducing the genre to mainstream audiences in the United States.
Early Life and Career
- Alan Freed was born Albert James Freed in Windber, Pennsylvania.
- He began his radio career in the early 1940s, working at several local stations in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
- In 1951, Freed moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and began hosting a radio show called "The Moondog Show" on WJW.
The Moondog Show
- Freed's show became incredibly popular, attracting a large audience of young listeners who were drawn to his energetic personality and eclectic mix of music, which included rhythm and blues, doo-wop, and country.
- Freed coined the term "rock and roll" to describe the new, upbeat style of music that he was playing on his show.
- He also helped launch the careers of several prominent rock and roll artists, including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Rock 'n' Roll Concerts and Controversies
- In the mid-1950s, Freed began promoting live rock 'n' roll concerts, which were highly successful and attracted large crowds.
- However, his association with rock 'n' roll also led to controversy, as the music was often criticized as being too suggestive and disruptive to young people.
- Freed was eventually fired from WJW in 1954, and he faced several legal battles due to his promotion of rock 'n' roll.
Decline and Death
- Freed continued to promote rock 'n' roll and work as a disc jockey, but his career declined in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
- He struggled with alcohol addiction and legal troubles, and his health suffered.
- Alan Freed died of a heart attack in Palm Springs, California, on January 20, 1965, at the age of 42.
Legacy
- Despite his personal struggles and controversies, Alan Freed is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of rock 'n' roll.
- His contributions to the genre helped establish rock 'n' roll as a major cultural force in the United States and around the world.
- Freed's passionate promotion of rock 'n' roll and his coining of the term helped legitimize the genre and brought it to the attention of mainstream audiences.
- He is remembered as "the father of rock 'n' roll" and continues to be celebrated for his significant role in shaping the music industry and popular culture.