Couple trying to set up festival to honor namer of rock 'n' roll

Freed helped promote music by black artists.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The city resident most known throughout the world is Alan Freed, who is credited with creating the phrase "rock 'n' roll."
Nick Bush of Salem said he's had conversations in Japan and England about Freed, but many local residents still don't know about him.
As a disc jockey who called himself Moondog, Freed brought rhythm and blues into popular culture. As a promoter, he held what is believed to be the nation's first rock 'n' roll concert in Cleveland in 1952.
He was among the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.
But the local boy has not been lauded locally.
Bush and Nicole Paolozzi, also of Salem, plan to give a PowerPoint demonstration on the possibility of creating a local Alan Freed festival, and possibly more.
The festival would be held downtown and would focus on the early years of rock 'n' roll music, along with the clothing, dances and cars in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The couple said no starting date has been set and it may take a year or two to make the idea a reality. But they added that the concept has been a moneymaker in other areas.
And if there is no reaction, Paolozzi said, the couple might promote the event themselves in a few years.
What's planned
The presentation will be at 7 p.m. June 7 in council chambers at city hall.
The Salem Tourism Advisory Board is hosting the meeting. STAB Chairman David K. Schwartz said in an e-mail, "This proposed event could be huge."
Audrey Null, executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed.
She said of the idea, "It's very exciting, but we need everyone on board."
During Salem's Bicentennial last year, a brochure with a walking tour of Freed's haunts was unveiled, and there were talks about promoting Freed.
Salem has had a variety of other summer festivals in other years. Null said though there were many fun activities, there was no focus to the events.
Bush said that Freed's career went beyond entertainment. Freed also influenced the civil rights movement since he promoted music by black artists.
More biography
Freed also was involved in multiple forms of media long before it became an entertainment norm. The disc jockey was involved in radio, television, concerts and movies.
There also is a scholarly aspect to Freed. He wrote about musicians for the Salem High School newspaper. Freed was born in Johnstown, Pa., in 1921, and his family moved to Salem in 1933.
The promoters said any local effort to promote Freed in Salem possibly could be done in junction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Bush said that people who go to the Cleveland facility could also easily drive to Salem for Freed-related activities.
Kent State University purchased the former Salem Junior High School building and renamed it the City Center. Those involved in the project said there is discussion under way to rename part of it in honor of Freed.
Dr. Jeffrey Nolte, dean of KSU's campus, said the proposal was in its early stages.
As Bush pointed out, there is interest in Freed outside Salem. People can also visit www.alanfreed.com, which has music, photos and documents, including Freed's birth certificate. Freed died in 1965 in Palm Springs, Calif.
wilkinson@vindy.com