(115) 1961 ALAN FREED, MR. ROCK AND ROLL, on KDAY RADIO LOS ANGELES

ALAN FREED was another Personality DJ, one who moved into concert promotion.

In 1961 I also performed on the radio on Alan Freed's show on KDAY Radio in Los Angeles, playing Melodie D'Amour live.

This was Alan's last show, his last station, and I think he knew it. He had once been Mr. Rock and Roll. Some people even said that Alan had invented the term based on some African American slang. Alan, who was at least part African American, had produced some great rock and roll shows in New York City. I drove Eddy Cochran to perform on one of these shows and had later met Ritchie Valens backstage.

Alan Freed was unfortunately convicted in a radio "play for payola" scandals and never recovered his status after that. Some people said Alan Freed took the fall for a number of other DJ's and Promoters who were also involved in radio play for payola.



I only know that Alan was decent to me, and there was never a hint from him or those around him that I pay for radio play in any way. And I felt bad for him, especially that he might have been the guy who took the fall for several others. But I don't know the details of what went on.

Melodie D'Amour turned out to be one of Elvis Presley's favorites. Members of the entourage told me he took the record to Vegas and played it 23 days and nights straight before offering it to the home juke box in Los Angeles. That's what Elvis did when he loved a song. He played it over and over again, just as Dewey Phillips had played "That's All Right Mama," over and over again on his Red Hot and Blue show in Memphis, which started a career for Elvis.

Alan was the FIRST PERSON ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and may be the first actual Rock and Roll concert producer/promoter. Go to his site and follow the links to other sites that Alan Freed is mentioned on. Be sure to listen to the audio clips to hear Alan broadcasting.

OFFICIAL ALAN FREED WEB SITE link above!