TOUR NOTES BIOGRAPHIES
Alan Freed
Alan Freed was the quintessential Rock and Roll disc jockey of the era. Born on December 15, 1921 near Johnstown PA, he began his first broadcasting job in 1942 at WKST in New Castle, PA. In 1945, Freed became a local favorite at WAKR in Akron, Ohio, playing hot jazz and pop recordings.
In 1949, Freed moved to WXEL-TV in Cleveland, but was soon convinced to emcee an R&B program at WJW Radio. In 1951, Alan Freed, calling himself “Moondog”, began his successful stint at WJW radio in Cleveland. At his “Moondog Coronation Ball”, 20,000 fans crashed the gates and caused the date to be cancelled – considered one of the first “rock” concerts.
In 1954, Freed was hired by WINS radio in New York where he promoted Rock & Roll artists of all colors. He began his series of "Alan Freed Tours", making instant stars of many artists of the time.
Visit the Alan Freed website at: www.alanfreed.com
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