The Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll #46-18
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 41° 30.509 W 081° 41.661
17T E 442054 N 4595438
An Ohio Historical Marker located outside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Waymark Code: WM204A
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 08/12/2007
Views: 59
Marker text:
"When radio station WJW disc jockey Alan Freed (1921-1965) used the term "rock and roll" to describe the uptempo black rhythm and blues records he played beginning in 1951, he named a new genre of popular music that appealed to audiences on both sides of 1950s American racial boundaries--and dominated American culture for the rest of the 20th century. The popularity of Freed's nightly "Moon Dog House Rock and Roll Party" radio show encouraged him to organize the Moondog Coronation Ball--the first rock concert. Held at the Cleveland Arena on March 21, 1952, the oversold show was beset by a riot during the first set. Freed, a charter inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, moved to WINS in New York City in 1954 and continued to promote rock music through radio, television, movies, and live performances."
The Cleveland Arena was located on Euclid Avenue in a less than desirable neighborhood. Because of that and also because the arena was falling into disrepair, it was closed in 1974 and eventually demolished in 1977.
Marker Number: 46-18
County: Cuyahoga
Significance of Location: Thing
Bicentenial Mark: yes
Website address: [Web Link]
Additional Coordinate: Not Listed
Additional Coordinate description: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
If possible, unique photographs taken at the site, are requested. These can be of the site, your companions on your visit, or whatever. Tell of what you learned or thought of the site.