Alan Freed - a Hundred Years of Rock 'n' Roll

In celebration of Alan Freed's 100th birthday, Bear Family Records® presents this historic compilation in the 'Memorial Series'!

This issue tells the story of one of the most legendary disc jockeys in music history.

Included are 39 tracks from 1952 to 1959, a mix of then contemporary music from the Alan Freed shows and original excerpts from his radio broadcasts that made him famous.

Alan Freed played mostly black rhythm and blues in his broadcasts, referred to by him early on as rock 'n' roll, and thus helped dismantle racial segregation in the United States.

Since Freed is directly involved in almost all of the recordings, this CD album takes on the character of one of his radio shows and can be enjoyed from beginning to end - a genuine rarity!

Just as well suited for nostalgic indulgence while cruising by car.

As a bonus you get two ultra-rare live recordings from 1956 and 1957 with Jimmy Cavallo and The House Rockers and Little Richard.

The 36-page full-color booklet provides the story of Alan Freed and the contributing artists, meticulously researched and written by Chicago music journalist Bill Dahl, with many rare photos and memorabilia!

Alan Freed was THE top radio D.J. in 1950s America. Not because he is - incorrectly - considered to be the inventor of the term 'rock and roll' (African-Americans had been using that moniker since the 1930s), but because he took advantage of the rising popularity of R&B and white rock 'n' roll to put on R&B originals, which he then called rock and roll. He came up with all sorts of gimmicks for his radio shows and enthralled a teenage generation from Mexico to Canada. Hollywood took advantage of his immense popularity and gave him roles in music movies, and he got his own TV show. With this album we chronicle the most important years of his life.