WORLD'S FIRST ROCK CONCERT DRAWS OVERFLOW CROWD
Cleveland, Ohio (JFK+50) On the evening of March 21, 1952, the world's first 'rock-n-roll' concert was scheduled at the 10,000 seat Cleveland Arena. The concert, hosted by WJW's disc jockey Alan Freed* was billed as "The Moondog Coronation Ball"**.
According to Kara Goldfarb, the show had to be cancelled almost before it started because more than 20,000 fans showed up.
The billing featured Paul Williams and the Hucklebuckers, the Tiny Grimers and the Rockin Highlanders, The Dominoes and Danny Cobb.
The price of admission to "The Most Terrible Ball of Them All" was $1.50 to $1.75.
JFK+50 NOTE
Kara Goldfarb also notes that Alan Freed was "a proponent of early integration" as well as a "controversial figure and songwriter." She credits him as being "the father of rock and roll."
After the 'payola scandal,' Freed's career and health spiraled downward.
*Albert James 'Alan' Freed (1921-1965) was born in Windber, Pennsylvania & served in the US Army during WWII. AJF became a radio disc jockey & hosted the ABC television show 'Big Beat,' the 1st prime time rock-n-roll TV show.
After the 'payola' scandal & personally dealing with alcoholism, AJF died at age 43. He was inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
**Freed's radio show at WJW was called "Moondog House" after NY street musician Louis T. 'Moondog' Harding.
SOURCE
"The Dramatic Rise And Fall Of Alan Freed - 'Father Of Rock And Roll'," by Kara Goldfarb, March 27, 2018, ati, www.allthatsinteresting.com/
