Albert James "Alan" Freed (December 15, 1921 – January 20, 1965), also known as Moondog, was an American disc jockey. He became internationally known for promoting the mix of blues, country and rhythm and blues music on the radio in the United States and Europe under the name of rock and roll. His career was destroyed by the payola scandal that hit the broadcasting industry in the early 1960s.
It's natural that kids should look for excitement and thrills. Well I'd rather that they find it in the theater than in street gangs. I say that if kids have any interest in any kind of music, thank God for it. Because if they have the interest, they can find themselves in it. And as they grow up, they broaden out and come to enjoy all kinds of music.
2
[on rock and roll] This music comes from the levees and the plantations. It's simple to dance to, and to clap your hands to, and the kids know the words to every song. That's why they come. This is an audience-participation kind of music. They come in and pay to sing louder than the performers.
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Fact
1
During the summer of 1957, he hosted "The Big Beat", Saturday nights on ABC. The show featured live (as opposed to lip sync) performances of many of the top Pop and Rock recording artists of the day, including Frankie Lyman and Sal Mineo, who had a hit with "Start Movin' (In My Direction)". The format was similar to Freed's R n R theatrical revues. As of 2012, there appears to be no film (kinescope) available of these landmark broadcasts. Videotape was not introduced until 1958.
2
Upon his untimely death, he was cremated. His ashes are interred at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.
3
He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on December 10, 1991.
4
After being fired from WABC radio and WNEW-TV in 1959 for refusing to sign a statement that he did not accept gratuities for the playing of records, Freed worked for KDAY radio in Los Angeles (1960). All went well at first. Ratings were good but he left when the station would not allow him to promote live rock shows.
5
He returned to New York in 1961 to host a "Twist" review at the Audobon Ballroom. The event was not well publicized at the time, as he had lost his New York City radio (WABC) and television (WNEW) programs in 1959 due to the payola scandal. Attendance was poor. In essence, he had lost his fan base to relative newcomers, disc jockey "Murray the K" and television host Clay Cole, who by that time, were hosting well publicized R n R shows in the New York Tri State area.
6
Was arrested and pleaded guilty to accepting "Payola" (bribes for playing certain songs). He was blacklisted from broadcasting and died broke and bitter in 1965 at age 42.
7
Broke down barriers by playing music of black artists for primarily white audiences long before most anyone else in the business.
8
Worked as a disc jockey at WJW in Cleveland from 1951-1954 and hosted the late-night "Moondog Rock 'n' Roll Party". In 1952, he promoted the "Moondog Coronation Ball" widely regarded as the first ever rock concert.
9
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1986 under the category Non-Performer.
10
Posthumously inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.
11
Legendary radio disc jockey in the 1950s who helped popularize the term "Rock and Roll" music.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Altman
2014
Documentary writer: "Sincerely"
The Marty Stuart Show
2011
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Brooklyn's Finest
2009
writer: "Sincerely" 1954
The 4400
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
View from the Top
2003
writer: "Sincerely"
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
2002
writer: "Sincerely"
The Sopranos
2002
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Innocent
1993
lyrics: "MAYBELLENE" / music: "MAYBELLENE"
Book of Love
1990
writer: "Sincerely"
Goodfellas
1990
writer: "Sincerely"
Comic Book Confidential
1988
Documentary writer: "Sincerely"
Twice in a Lifetime
1985
writer: "Sincerely"
Porky's II: The Next Day
1983
writer: "Sincerely"
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
1982
writer: "Sincerely"
Sparkle
1976
writer: "Sincerely"
Electra Glide in Blue
1973
writer: "Most of All"
Glenn Miller Time
1961
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall
1959
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Your Hit Parade
1955
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Don't Knock the Rock
1956
Alan Freed
Rock Around the Clock
1956
Alan Freed
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Go, Johnny, Go!
1959
producer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Moondog Airwaves
2015
Short dedicatee completed
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Go, Johnny, Go!
1959
Himself
Mister Rock and Roll
1957
Himself
The Arthur Murray Party
1957
TV Series
Himself
To Tell the Truth
1957
TV Series
Himself - Contestant
Rock Rock Rock!
1956
Himself (as Alan Freed and his Rock 'n Roll Band)
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio
2008
Documentary
Himself
Behind the Music
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
Hollywood Rocks 'N' Rolls in the 50's
1999
Video documentary
Himself
Sweet Talkin' Guys
1991
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Rock 'n' Roll Years
1985
TV Series
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1991
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Radio
Awarded on December 10, 1991 at 6381 Hollywood Blvd.
Known for movies
Goodfellas (1990) as Soundtrack
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) as Soundtrack
$12 Million
