BBC Radio 4 Extra

Payola, the Pluggers and The Father of Rock and Roll

Nick Barraclough

Sarah Cuddon

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Payola, The Pluggers and the Father of Rock and Roll

21/11/2009

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Payola, the Pluggers and The Father of Rock and Roll

Nick Barraclough tells the story of Alan Freed and the Payola Scandal.

Nick Barraclough explores the life of 50s US DJ Alan Freed, who defied racial taboos, but eventually lost his career. From 2009.

Continuing his fascination with maverick American radio DJs, Nick Barraclough tells the story of Alan Freed, the Pluggers - and the Payola scandal which blew up fifty years ago. 

Alan Freed was one of the most popular DJs of the 1950s. Also known as Moondog, Freed became internationally-known for promoting black rhythm and blues under the name rock n' roll - a term he is credited with creating. Black artists including Little Richard and Chuck Berry would salute him for his pioneering attitude in breaking down racial barriers among the youth of 1950s America.

But in the late 1950s Freed came into conflict with The American Society of Composers and publishers who wouldn't allow their published songs to be played on what they considered to be increasingly vulgar rock n' roll radio. In November 1959 the ASCAP encouraged the House Legislative Committee to widen investigations. DJs who had accepted payments for playing records were scrutinized. In the end, TV presenter and DJ Dick Clark TV and Alan Freed were brought up for questioning and sentenced. 

Featuring contributions from Alan Freed's children Lance and Alana Freed, Freed biographer John Jackson and Nashville Radio DJ Gerry House.

Producer: Sarah Cuddon

A Smooth Operations production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2009

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