Posted inBirthday Music Facts Doo-Wop

Alan Freed: Hail, Hail, Mr. Rock & Roll

Alan Freed
Alan Freed

By John Jackson

Alan Freed was born Albert James Freed today (December 15, 1921,) near Johnstown, PA. In 1933 the Freed family moved to Salem, Ohio. In high school, Freed formed a band know as The Sultans of Swing, in which he played trombone. In 1942, Freed landed his first broadcasting job, at WKST (New Castle, PA). He took a sportscasting position at WKBN (Youngstown, OH) the following year.

02/10/2014
Posted inRhythm&Blues

Otis Blackwell To Be Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Otis Blackwell
Otis Blackwell

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced it’s 2010 inductees yesterday (December 15, 2009) and among the artists going over this year is songwriter extraordinaire, Otis Blackwell.

Blackwell started off as an R&B singing artist, but he found his most success through song writing.

Blackwell has penned some of the nation’s most well known songs for artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

12/16/2009