Why is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum located in Cleveland, Ohio?
The city lobbied for it primarily based on the legacy of Alan Freed (1921-1965), a deejay credited with coining and popularizing the term “rock and roll” when promoting the latest in rhythm and blues. In 1951 Freed took to the airwaves in Cleveland using the name “Moondog.” And, in March 21, 1952, Freed promoted “The Moondog Coronation Ball” at the Cleveland Arena. The momentous event ended early due to issues with overcrowding, but is still recognized as the first rock and roll concert. Freed was part of the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland embraced rock and roll, making it a hot record-buying, radio and live concert market. According to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: “Radio stations like WERE-AM, WKYC-AM, WHK-AM, and WIXY-AM in the 1950s and 1960s established a national “break-out” market by playing new records and artists first. WERE’s jocks, Tommy Edwards, Bill Randle, Phil Mclean and Carl Reese, chose to play unknown rockers like Elvi
