Video: 'Alan Freed apologized for The Moondog Coronation Ball riot 65 years ago.'

(Friday, March 21, 1952, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Alan Freed, a disc jockey who popularized the term “Rock and Roll” at WJW-Radio in Cleveland, Ohio, organized what is generally accepted as the first major rock and roll concert — the Moondog Coronation Ball — tonight at the Cleveland Arena. Continue reading Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed organizes first rock ‘n’ roll concert 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1952) →

(Saturday, March 15, 1952) — “Wheel of Fortune” by Kay Starr was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of nine consecutive weeks (Mar. 15/22/29, Apr. 5/12/19/26, May 3/10 1952). Continue reading ‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1952) →

(Saturday, December 29, 1951) — “Cry” by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads (recorded Oct. 16, 1951 in New York City) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of 11 consecutive weeks (Dec. 29, 1951, Jan. 5/12/19/26, Feb. 2/9/16/23, March 1/8, 1952). Continue reading ‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951) →

(Saturday, December 15, 1951) — “(It’s No) Sin” by Eddy Howard peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of two weeks (Dec. 15/22, 1951). Continue reading ‘(It’s No) Sin’ by Eddy Howard peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1951) →

(Saturday, November 3, 1951) — “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (Nov. 3/10/17/24, Dec. 1/8, 1951). Continue reading ‘Cold, Cold Heart’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1951) →