Displaying items by tag: Alan Freed

1951: A new radio program begins on WJW in Cleveland. Broadcast in the dead of night and called “The Moondog Rock ‘n’ Roll House Party,” it’s hosted by DJ Alan Freed. The show introduces white kids to black R&B records and will, within a few years, completely change the sound of popular music.

1952: What many consider the very first rock & roll concert took place on this day in Cleveland. Legendary DJ Alan Freed stages his Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland Auditorium. Billy Ward and the Dominoes, Tiny Grimes, and Paul Williams and the Hucklebuckers are the featured attractions.

The event draws 20,000 fans to a 10,000 seat venue causing police to shut down the show early. That touches off the first rock concert near-riot as well.