Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999) - full transcript

This is the story of Alan Freed. He was working as a DJ in Cleveland, Ohio, and he discovered how amazing R&B or Rhytym & Blues is, however, the music is considered to be "BLACK" music. So, most radio stations won't play it. However, Freed believed that it's the next wave, so he fights to have it played on the air. Eventually, he went into the big time - New York, and he decided to dub this music "ROCK & ROLL". Despite his success, he still had a lot of opposition and made deals with the wrong people, which would lead to his downfall.

- My name is Alan Freed
and this is my story.

But it's also the
story of rock and roll.

Ladies and gentlemen of Boston.

Let's give a big, big welcome

to the band with the biggest
hit in rock and roll history,

Bill Haley and his Comets!

♪ One, two, three o'clock,
four o'clock, rock ♪

♪ Five, six, seven o'clock,
eight o'clock rock ♪

♪ Nine, 10, 11 o'clock,
12 o'clock rock ♪

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

♪ Put your glad rags
on, join me, Hon ♪



♪ We'll have some fun when
the clock strikes one ♪

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock,
rock 'til broad daylight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, gonna rock
around the clock tonight ♪

♪ When the clock strikes
two, three and four ♪

♪ If the band slows down
we'll yell for more ♪

- But let's go back
to the beginning.

It wasn't always like this.

Believe it or not,
there was a time

when rock and roll didn't exist.

Not even for me.

I had been working the
radio for a few years

and I loved it.

Okay, Cleveland
wasn't the big-time,



but it was better than Akron.

See, I knew I was going places.

I just wasn't sure where.

♪ What you gonna do when
the well runs dry? ♪

♪ You gonna run away and hide

- You're late again?
- I'm not late.

- You're on the
air in 10 seconds.

- Well, I told
you I wasn't late.

Hey, Buddy.

Good day, everyone.

This is Alan Freed
broadcasting to you

from station W.G.B.C.
in Cleveland.

I have some fine popular
music to play for you

over the next two hours.

So let's begin with a favorite

from Patti Page, Old Cape Cod.

Sing it, Patti baby.

Let me hear those
sweet, sweet high notes.

- What'd I tell you
about that funny stuff?

- It's personality, boss.

- Do me a favor, keep your
personality to yourself.

- So there I was, broadcasting
in Ohio's biggest market,

working every angle I could.

But I was still lost and
deep inside I knew it.

The magnificent big band
sound, ladies and gentlemen.

And since you love it so
much, here's some more.

Remind me, is this
a wake or a dance?

That was sweet.

And now for something
really special.

♪ Gonna tell Aunt Mary
about Uncle John ♪

♪ He claim he has the misery
but he has a lot of fun ♪

♪ Oh, baby

♪ Yeah, baby

♪ Woo, baby

♪ Having me some
fun tonight, yeah ♪

♪ Well, long tall Sally,
she's built for speed ♪

♪ She got everything
that Uncle John need ♪

♪ Oh, baby

♪ Yeah, baby
- Turn it off.

Turn that music off.

♪ Having me some fun tonight

- Can't you hear me?

That's colored music!

That music don't belong here!

- What's wrong with it?

- It's ugly, it's trash.

- Now go back to
playing good music.

- What do you mean, good music?

- Good music is what
we want to hear.

It's what we dance to,

what our children will dance to.

And if you don't
want to play it,

then take your records,
Mr. Freed, and go home!

- You have to remember,
back then most white people

had never heard of
rhythm and blues.

When it was played on the radio,

it was by stations at
the top of the dial.

A place mainstream
listeners just did not go.

But that night really
knocked me out.

Their parents may have hated it,

but there was
something in that R&B

those kids really responded to.

And you know what, so did I.

♪ Just a little bit lonely

♪ Please, please,
please, please ♪

♪ Tell me where
you're going to ♪

♪ Now your daddy don't mind

♪ And your mommy don't mind

♪ If we have another dance

♪ Yeah, just one more

♪ One more time

- Alan Freed,
welcome to the store.

How the hell are you?

- Hey, Leo, you sell
a lot of these rhythm

and blues records?

- Oh, tons.

To the Negros obviously,

but a lot of the white kids are
buying them too, like crazy.

- It's got a great beat.

- Well, it's
not like the stuff

their parents listen to.

- Like what I play on my show.

- Oh, well, yeah.

You know, actually, I'm thinking

of sponsoring an all
R&B program on WNXP.

You know, up-tempo dance stuff.

- Leo, how about
sponsoring an all rhythm

and blues program
on WGBC with me?

- What are you, nuts?

Race records on an
all white station?

- Well, you just said white
kids are buying the records.

Now, if I could play it
on a mainstream station

I could get people
excited about the music.

- Absolutely not.

- Come on, Pete.

- I'm running a business here.

- Leo's gonna sponsor
the whole thing.

It won't cost you a dime.

- If I don't lose cash
I'm gonna lose listeners.

- No, no, no.

You're gonna gain new listeners.

Tell him about the sales, Leo.

R&b singles are just
flying out of the store.

- Yeah, to the colored people.

- White people too.

Young white people.

- See?

Pete, just give me a chance

and I bet people are
gonna flip for it.

Negro and white.

Despite considerable resistance,

the station gave me
my one hour a night

of pure rhythm and blues.

Hello, everybody.

How you all doing there tonight?

This is Alan Freed,
I'm brought to you

by the Record Roundabout.

And for the next hour I will
be playing a new kind of music

and this music is
called rhythm and blues.

Now, this is the kind of music

that makes you
really wanna jump.

So, clear away the furniture,

put on your dancing
shoes, and let's go!

Go man, go!

Let's hear it!

♪ Well, now, they
often call me Speedo ♪

♪ But my real name
is Mister Earl ♪

- Come on, play it!

♪ Um-hm-hm

- You Alan Freed?

- I am.

- Oh, man, you gotta
play this new record.

This is the wildest!

- Okay.

This next one is from
my new friend, Willie.

Willie likes the
beat and so do I

and, mark my words, this
song's gonna be a hit.

♪ Well, now they often
call me Speedoo ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't believe

- Play it, man!

Yeah!

The show took off like a rocket.

It was like the whole city
of Cleveland was tuned

into Alan Freed.

I would play a record at night,

and the next kids would
run out and buy it.

Then one day, at the dance
studio down the hall...

- Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow.

Are you here for a lesson?

- Uh, do you teach
anything besides the tango?

- Of course, the waltz,
foxtrot, charleston.

- Anything more current?

- What exactly did
you have in mind?

- I'll tell you what, I do
this radio show down the hall.

When you're done here, why
don't you come by and say hi?

- You're Alan Freed?

Oh, I thought Alan
Freed was colored.

- Yeah, I get that all the time.

- Oh.

Well, I'm not done till late.

- Well, it's an open invitation.

You just come by
whenever you like.

- Okay.

Okay, class, back to the tango.

I need a volunteer.

Come on, you guys.

I need a partner.

Can you dance?

- No.

- Okay.

Music.

Ooh!

- Really want to impress a gal?

Dance the tango with her.

Not only did she
come watch my show,

she let me walk her
home afterwards.

It's not an act.

I am telling you, this music
could change the world.

And I want everyone to hear it.

- Why, are you a rhythm
and blues missionary?

- No, but I do get a
kind of religious feeling

when I hear a really good song.

And the first thing
I want to do is...

- Pray?

- No!

Play it for other people so
they can feel the same thing.

So...

Do you have a boyfriend?

- Not at the moment.

What about you?

- I've got an ex-wife.

She lives in Florida
with our two kids.

- Okay.

- Well, yeah, things don't
always work out like you plan.

- This is where I live.

It's my mom's house.

This is nice.

- Nice?

I was expecting a
different word, like...

Sensational...

Fantastic, magnifique.

- I love your enthusiasm.

- Well, it's my best trait.

So, now that we've tangoed
together, what do we do next?

- We say goodnight.

I guess that's what we do next.

- Ya!

Ya!

And I wanna dedicate
this next record

to Jackie at the dance studio.

Just to let her know
I'm thinking about her.

♪ I fell in love with
you heart and soul ♪

♪ The way a fool
would do, madly ♪

♪ Because you held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ Held me tight

♪ And stole a kiss
there in the night ♪

♪ Heart and soul

♪ I begged to be adored

♪ Yes, and I lost control

♪ And tumbled overboard gladly

♪ That magic night we kissed

♪ Then we kissed

♪ Oh, we kissed

♪ Then we kissed

♪ Oh, we kissed

♪ Then we kissed

♪ Oh, we kissed

♪ Then we kissed

♪ There in the moon mist

- So he's on the air now?

- Right down here.

- A beer flavor
that can't be beat.

So, folks, take a tip
from me and give it a try.

Then just pop a cap...

- You always let your
DJs drink on the air?

- The man plays
by his own rules.

Say hello, commercial's running.

- Jack Hooke, Royal Roost
Records out of New York City.

- Oh, to what do I
owe the pleasure?

- I thought you
might be interested

in some of my company's records.

- Have anything with
a strong dance beat?

- As a matter of fact...

- All right, people, straight
out of New York City,

here comes The Cleftones
with You Baby You.

- So you don't
listen to them first?

- You said it had a
strong dance beat.

- Hey, look, I
can't pay you much.

Uh, I'm kind of tapped out here.

- It doesn't matter what the
record companies want to play.

If I like a song, I play it.

If I don't, I don't.

This song...

I like.

The station's getting
its best ratings ever.

All the advertisers want
to buy time on my show,

I'm getting a ton of fan mail.

- All for a white guy playing
rhythm and blues records?

Wow!

- I wanna take it
to another level.

I really wanna get
the music out there.

- So put on a dance party.

You got half the
fans you say you do,

you charge a couple
bucks a head,

you can make some decent money.

- How do I get started?

- You book a big theater.

You start pulling
your acts together.

- Will you help me?

- From New York?

- From here!

Listen, you help me
get this together,

I'll split the profits with you.

- Okay.

I'm in.

- It was wild.

The first act I found was
Jackie Wilson and the Dominoes.

♪ Oooooooo

♪ You can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ No, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ Oh, mamma, sweet mamma,
we could really go to town ♪

♪ No, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

- Whoa.

No one gets past here.

- We just wanna
talk to the Dominoes

about playing a gig for us.

- A gig for you?

- I'm Alan Freed and
this is my girl--

- Alan Freed?

Why didn't you say so?!

Let me get them.

Jack, come here.

Alan Freed, this
is Jackie Wilson.

- Jackie, what's
the largest crowd

you've ever played in front of?

- This is it.

- Well, listen to this: the
Cleveland Arena seats 8,000.

And I'm booking it, and
I want the Dominoes.

- You crazy?

I never heard of a
rhythm and blues show

where even half that
many people showed up.

- Well, you've never
heard of a rhythm

and blues show
promoted by Alan Freed.

- Well, we'll see about that.

People always making
promises they can't keep.

- Yeah?

Well, if you wanna
sell more records,

if you want a shot
at the big-time,

then you sign up for Alan
Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball

and I promise you'll get it.

- Take it, man.

Take it, take it, come on.

- I love it.

- All right, folks, listen
up, yours truly is putting

on a dance, with all
the bands and music

that you can't get enough of.

It'll be on the
21st, at nine o'clock

at the Cleveland Arena.

That's right, the hockey
teams are taking the night off

so you can dance, dance, dance.

What if nobody shows up?

- Of course, they'll show up.

What are you talking about?

- No, I am serious.

The only advertising we've
done is by me on my show.

Now, it's one thing
to turn on the radio,

it's something else
to put down real money

and come to an arena.

- Alan Freed, am I
hearing self-doubt?

Insecurity?

Fear of failure?

- Absolutely not!

- Oh, that is so cute!

Oh, honey, it's very endearing.

Come here.

- Hello,
everybody, I'm Alan Freed.

- More volume.

- Hello, everybody,
I'm Alan Freed!

- That's good.

- Hello.

Testing, one, two...

Jackie McCoy, will you marry me?

Well?

- Are you serious?

- So, how're we doing out there?

- Well, I'm still
waiting for a report.

But, are the Dominoes
ready to rock?

- Aw, man, the Dominoes
coming out throwing

their best stuff.

Guaranteed first round knockout.

You're not concerned, are you?

You looking a little pale.

- Oh, I'm not pale, I'm white.

- Alan!

Alan, the Fire Department
is having a fit.

The neighbors are
calling in complaints.

The police are here.

We...

We only have 8,000 seats.

There are 20,000
people out there!

It's a mob!

- Hello, everybody!

I'm Alan Freed, the old
king of the Moondoggers!

If you love R&B, you
are in the right place!

Now, this is the first time
I've ever put on a dance

like this and I've gotta tell
you, it won't be the last.

So, get ready to shake,
get ready to jump,

and get ready to dance
your little hearts away,

because here come the Dominoes

and the exciting Jackie Wilson!

♪ Oh, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ No, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ You can beat
him, mistreat him ♪

♪ Till he falls to the ground

♪ No, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ Oh

♪ Oh, you been
treating me wrong ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, you know
you did me wrong ♪

♪ Let me love you

♪ And you whisper so long

♪ Oh, yeah, you know
you did me wrong ♪

♪ Oh

♪ You

- Didn't I tell you?

This music has the power.

♪ No, you can't keep
a good man down ♪

♪ Well, mama, sweet mama

- You are looking at the future.

- Our future.

♪ You can't keep
a good man down ♪

- With that first concert, I
started a rollercoaster ride

that was about to
get incredibly crazy.

Here is a request from Gail
Bennett from Shaker Heights,

whose boyfriend Richard
is serving in Korea

and she would like me to
dedicate a song to him.

Well, Gail, here is
a very special one.

♪ I wonder, wonder who

♪ Who

♪ Who wrote the book of love

- It was all happening.

My dreams were coming true.

I'd just tied the knot
with my sweetheart,

my radio show was a smash,
the music was exploding,

and I couldn't stop working:
DJ, dance parties, concerts.

I could barely
keep my eyes open.

♪ I love you darling

♪ Baby you know I do

♪ But I've got to see
this book of love ♪

♪ Find out why it's true

♪ I wonder, wonder who

- Oh, please tell me he's okay.

- He survived.

Beyond that...

- So it's bad?

Bad.

- I don't feel so hot.

How do I look?

- Alive.

♪ And the land is dark

♪ And the moon is the only

- But in order to
completely recover,

you're gonna have to make
some lifestyle changes.

The cigarettes, the
booze, the late nights,

it's all gotta stop.

Your insides are so damaged a
single drink could kill you.

- Well, at the risk of
sounding melodramatic,

how long do I have?

- Well, I think you could
live a fairly normal life

for maybe, uh, 10
years, maybe more.

- Oh, hey, baby.

Hi.

The doctor says I'm making
a miraculous recovery.

I'll be on the dance
floor in no time.

Isn't that right, Doc?

♪ If the sky that we look upon

♪ Should tumble and fall

♪ Or the mountain

- This is just a minor
bump in the road.

♪ To the sea

♪ I won't cry

♪ I won't cry

♪ No, I won't shed a tear

♪ Just as long

- You're supposed to be resting.

- Oh, not right now, baby.

I can't afford to be off
the air for too long.

Hello, and how y'all doing?

This is yours truly, Alan Freed,

the old king of the Moondoggers.

True, I had a little scare,
but that's behind me now.

It's like they say, "You
can't keep a good man down".

See?

There's nothing to it.

- Is the mic off?

- Yeah.

- I'm pregnant.

- What?

- I'm gonna have a baby.

- Come here.

I interrupt this song to
bring you a special bulletin.

My lovely wife has just
made a special announcement.

Yours truly is going be a papa.

- Alan, my mom
doesn't even know.

- Well, she does now.

- Oh, no.
- Yes, yes!

♪ The one I adore

♪ Love you forever

♪ Forever more

♪ I'm just a fool

- By the time of my homecoming

I was flying higher than ever.

Fan mail was pouring in,
the ratings were sky high,

and for anyone with a hot new
song, I was the man to see.

Hello.

You must be Mr. Diddley.

- Call me Bo.

This is Frank.

This is Jerome.

- How are you?

Lenny Chess has told me some
very good things about you.

You ready to play?

- You ready to listen?

- You know I am.

- Two, three, four.

♪ Bo Diddley bought his
baby a diamond ring ♪

♪ If that diamond
ring don't shine ♪

♪ He gonna take it
to a private eye ♪

♪ If that private
eye can't see ♪

♪ He better not take
the ring from me ♪

How you like that, Mr. Freed?

- Where did you learn
to play like that?

- Muddy Waters, John Lee
Hooker, south side of Chicago.

- Well, I knew it
wasn't Juilliard.

Yeah, Pete?

- You know we're behind this
rhythm and blues format,

but are you sure about this?

- About what?

- This stuff sounds
like jungle music.

- My contract says I can
play whatever record I want.

And I wanna play
this record a lot.

And you know what, I
liked this song so much

I'm going to play it again.

Now it's time to read
some of the many cards

and letters that
you've been sending in.

Now, this one starts,
"Dear Nigger Lover,

"how dare you play
those vulgar, dirty,

"ugly songs by Bo Diddley."

Here's another nice one.

"Your determination to
Africanize our airwaves

"makes me sick."

Oh, and how about this
one, it just says,

"Keep that foul nigra
music off our radios."

Well, I'm always glad to hear
the opinions of my listeners.

And now out of South Chicago

and Chess Records,
Mister Bo Diddley!

♪ Bo Diddley bought his
baby a diamond ring ♪

- Over the next year
we had our first baby

and the popularity
of my show grew.

Go man, go!

Oh, yeah, rock it!

Rock it again!

- He sounds like a
complete nut case.

- He's a very popular nut case.

The kids love him.

He draws 20,000 plus every
time he puts on a show.

He is the hottest thing!

- In Cleveland.

This is New York.

- Mr. McCaw, every time I
walk into this radio station

you say to me, "I'm
searching for a new voice."

I'm telling you, Alan
Freed could really

jump-start things around here.

Alan Freed is your guy.

- This is W.G.B.C.

Who's calling, please?

Alan, someone from New York.

- Yes, hello.

Uh-huh.

Well, I'll have
to call you back.

Jackie, honey, I hope
you're listening,

because I have something
very important to tell you:

I just get off the
phone with someone

from a major radio
station in New York City,

and they have offered me a job.

Now, I know you love Cleveland.

I love Cleveland, too, the
fans here are the best,

but we are talking
the entertainment capitol of the
world

Now, if you're up for it, give
me a call here at the station

and give me the green light.

If I don't hear from you,
I'll assume it's a no.

I will call them back
and decline the offer.

Come on, Jackie!

Yankees versus Indians.

I'm waiting for your call.

- W.G.B.C.

First we've heard of it, too.

W.G.B.C.

I have no idea.

- And here she is,
ladies and gentlemen.

And your answer, Mrs. Freed?

- Turn off the mic.

- We'll go
to a commercial.

- Why do you have to
broadcast our personal life

over the airwaves?

- I'm sorry.

I was just so excited.

I mean, this is our shot.

- Is this what you really want?

- Here's to the
king of rhythm and blues!

- And to my queen.

And New York City.

You know, I've been thinking.

The music needs
a different name.

Rhythm and blues
is too limiting,

people automatically
think Race Music.

It's gotta be something
with a broader appeal.

- And you got any ideas?

- You know what I say, baby?

You make me want
to rock and roll.

- Oh, but, honey, doesn't
that mean, you know...

- Sex?
- Yeah.

- Yeah, but the music
is sexy: rock and roll.

It says beat, it says
hip, it says dancing.

- Rock and roll.

Definitely rolls off the tongue.

- Say it.

- Rock and roll.

- Say it again.

- Rock and roll.

- Yeah, that is sexy.

- Long live rock and roll.

New York City, the Big Apple.

They didn't give me
a key to the city,

they gave me
something much better:

a 50,000-watt tower
and an open microphone.

Hello, New York City!

This is yours truly Alan
Freed, Mr. Rock and Roll.

And I am ready for a big
of rocking and rolling!

Welcome to rock and
roll party number one!

I'm going to be playing all
the great rock and roll records

with that big beat
that nobody can resist,

and by the time I'm through,
New York City will be the rock

and roll kingdom of the world!

You can't stop this sound,

you can't stop me
from playing it.

♪ Up in the morning
and out to school ♪

- Can I get some
more volume on that?

Higher.

Higher.

Yeah!

That's the way to
listen to rock and roll!

I took off
like no one in the history

of New York radio.

The station shot to number
one virtually overnight.

Alan Freed rock and roll clubs

started popping up everywhere.

Though I can't say that all
the attention was positive.

- Alan, I want you to
meet a group of parents

whose teenagers
listen to your show.

- What can I do for you?

- Mr. Freed, are you aware
of the sexual connotations

in the lyrics of
the songs you play?

- Well, I know there are
no four-letter words.

- But the words are
extremely suggestive

and in some cases
downright obscene.

Just the titles alone.

"It Ain't the Meat,
It's the Motion,

"I Got Loaded,

"Baby Let Me Bang Your Box."

And you think it is proper
for our children to hear that?

- Well, why not?

If you don't think teenagers
have sex on the brain,

then you are fooling yourselves.

And I think dancing to
rock and roll is a safe,

healthy way to express
those feelings.

I don't see the problem.

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

♪ Just say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Hey-ah-hey

♪ Say you will

♪ My heart is crying, crying

♪ Lonely teardrops

♪ My pillow's never dry of

♪ Lonely teardrops

♪ Come home

♪ Come home

♪ Just say you
will, say you will ♪

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Hey-ah-hey.

♪ Say you will

♪ Just give me another chance

♪ For our romance

♪ Come on and tell me

♪ That one you'll return

♪ 'Cause every day

♪ That you've been gone away

♪ You'll know my heart
does nothing but burn ♪

♪ Crying lonely teardrops

♪ My pillow's never dry of

♪ Lonely teardrops

♪ Come home

♪ Come home

♪ Just say you
will, say you will ♪

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Say you will

♪ Hey-ah-hey

♪ Say you will

♪ Say it right now, baby

♪ Say you will

♪ Come on, come on

♪ Say you will

♪ Say it darling

Thanks for coming.

- Great.

- Thank you.

- Jackie Wilson solo.

I love it.

- Hey, man, it was
just time to go.

What do you think
of the new song?

- It is great.

How can I help?

- Play it.

Got any shows planned?

- Do I have any shows planned?

We're gonna teach
this town to rock.

- Sounds ambitious.

I like it.

I've been waiting to meet you

since you came to
town, Mr. Freed.

I'm Morris Levy.

I own this joint.

- Oh, this is more than a joint,

this is a great
place to hear music.

- I got good taste
and so do you.

Your lady friend is lovely.

- I'm his wife.

But thank you.

- So you have a good
ear and a good eye.

What else are you good at?

- Business.

We should sit down
and talk some time.

We have a lot to discuss.

- Do we?

- Mrs. Freed, your husband's
a very talented talker here.

If he learns to
listen he can go far.

- Alan, they say he's
connected to the mob.

- And now he owns the
most successful night club

in New York City.

- Yeah, but you gotta
watch a guy like that.

First, things start off
all nice and friendly.

Next thing you
know, he owns you.

- No one's gonna own me.

Talk, Mr. Levy.

I'm listening.

- Answer me this: what
does Alan Freed want?

- Alan Freed wants to
stage the biggest rock

and roll show this
city's ever seen.

- You got enthusiasm,
that's good.

But you're gonna need a partner,

someone with the
right connections.

- Someone like you?

- There you go.

But if we start out too big,

there's no place to go but down.

I don't want you to go down.

Start smaller.

- Let it build.

- Right.

I'll take all the
financial risk.

You just plug the
show on the air

and I'll give you
half the action.

- Only half?

- You want less?

- You're a real character,
aren't you, Mr. Levy?

- The realiest character
you'll ever meet.

And please, call me Mo.

- You're not worried
about that mob thing?

- What mob thing?

Morris Levy is a
shrewd businessman.

- I'm sure he's not the
only shrewd businessman

in this city.

- What...

Are...

You trying to say?

- That...

If Morris Levy doesn't back
you, someone else will.

What's the big hurry?

- Well, the big hurry is...

Well, you never know
what's gonna happen.

I could be dead tomorrow.

Get ready, New
York, here I come!

Yours truly, Alan Freed, the
old king of rock and rollers,

is putting on a big dance party
at the Brooklyn Paramount.

And all the greatest performers

in the rock and roll
universe will be there.

Mr. Excitement Jackie Wilson,
marvelous Clyde McPhatter,

dazzling Fats Domino.

Everyone.

- 24 grand in 24 hours.

I never seen anything like it.

Man, this is nuts.

- Welcome to America's
biggest dance party.

I'm Alan Freed, and it's
time to turn up the volume!

What do you want
to do, Brooklyn?

- Rock and roll!

- That's right.

It's time to rock and roll.

Man, what a whirlwind!

Shows, promotions, parties.

Two years of non-stop
rocking and rolling.

- Ad revenues are up almost 50%.

Whatever the hell you're
doing, keep doing it!

- Yes, sir.

And I still couldn't get enough.

Although I can't say
the same for Jackie.

And then Morris Levy called.

He booked the New
York Paramount.

We had finally made
it to Broadway.

So now, I had to sell the
show every way that I could.

It was non-stop talk.

I knew if I made
the show a success,

everything would work out.

It had to.

♪ She was my baby
till he stepped in ♪

♪ Goodbye romance
that might have been ♪

♪ Bye-bye love

♪ Bye-bye happiness

♪ Hello loneliness

- Ladies and gentlemen,

who loves rock and roll?!

- We do!

- Who's ready to rock and roll?!

- We are!

- Well, you asked
for it, New York.

So let's give a big, big welcome

for Bill Haley and his Comets!

♪ One, two, three o'clock,
four o'clock rock ♪

♪ Five, six, seven o'clock,
eight o'clock rock ♪

♪ Nine, 10, 11 o'clock,
12 o'clock rock ♪

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

♪ Put your glad rags
on, join me, Hon ♪

♪ We'll have some fun when
the clock strikes one ♪

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock,
rock 'til broad light ♪

♪ Gonna rock, gonna rock
around the clock tonight ♪

♪ When the clock strikes
two, three and four ♪

♪ If the band slows down

- Alan, I need you.

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock

- Now!

- Alan.

♪ When the chimes ring
five, six, and seven ♪

♪ We'll be right
in seventh heaven ♪

♪ We're gonna rock around
the clock tonight ♪

- Aren't you coming?

- Oh, I'm just gonna go and
have a quick drink with Mo.

- Alan, it's one
o'clock, let's go home.

- Just a quick little drink.

Come on, Jackie, tonight
was a great night for me.

- For you.

What about for us?

- Baby, not now.

Just go home.

I'll be there in an hour.

Okay?

♪ When the night has come

♪ And the land is dark

♪ And the moon is the
only light we see. ♪

- Jackie, where are you?

You gotta see this!

We hit the front page!

This is just the beginning.

♪ Oh, I won't be afraid

♪ Just as long as you stand

- The best of my life...

Had just become my worst.

♪ So darling,
darling stand by me ♪

♪ Oh

- Rock and roll was on its way,

but my marriage was in trouble.

Jackie had gone back to
her mother's in Cleveland.

I had to do something big.

- Tell me what
I can do for you.

- I need a loan.

- Done.

How much?

- 20,000.

- Not that it
matters, but what's it for?

- Down payment on a house.

- You should have a nice house.

- Well, you'd think I
would've put some away,

but it all just
seems to evaporate.

- Now, we'll make it easy.

No interest, no fees, just
a quick, clean transaction.

- And I will pay you back
every cent just as soon

as I get a little bit ahead.

From Roulette Records?

- My company banks the
paper on your house,

you and I continue
to build our empire.

It's good business.

- Thanks, Mo.

- Now, uh, let's talk
about my new acts:

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

- Oh, are great!

They are really gonna go places.

- What about the Wildcats?

- Wildcats?

Come on, they haven't
recorded a good song yet.

- They need exposure.

People gotta hear their records,

they need to get
out and perform.

- What they need is talent.

- Alan, I'm not just any label.

- When they put out a good
song, I'll play it, okay?

Now, I gotta go see
someone in Cleveland.

- There has to be some balance.

With you it's just
work, work, work.

The only time I get
to see you is at shows

or parties or Alan
Freed appearances.

- But you're my partner.

- I'm your wife.

Morris Levy is your partner.

I don't trust him.

- We do business
together, so what?

- Do you remember
what Jackie said?

- And what did I say to Jackie?

No one owns Alan
Freed but Alan Freed.

I can't do this
without you, baby.

You and Siggy, you
guys are my life.

- I've got news for you.

It's me, Siggy and
another one on the way.

- Really?

Oh, man!

Oh, man!

Well, one surprise
deserves another.

- Wait, you bought a new car?

- A new house.

It's on the Connecticut coast.

It's a world away from the city

and the parties and the shows.

It's a place where we
can be a real family.

- You bought a house?

♪ Please say you'll be mine

- Six months later the house
was ready and we moved in.

It looks like my jacket.

- It does not.

Okay, how about this one?

- Ooh, I like that.

- That's a good one.

- Isn't this great?!

I mean, don't you just love it?

- What's not to love.

All we're missing is a
moat and a drawbridge.

- And, because we're
so close to the water,

the first thing I'm
gonna do is buy a boat

and teach the kids how to fish.

- Hello?

Yes.

Who's calling?

Alan, it's Sam Katzman
from Columbia Pictures...

From Hollywood.

- Hello, Sam, this
is Alan Freed.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

A movie?

When?

♪ Well, I'm leaving, baby

♪ I'm going far away

♪ Well, I'm leaving baby

♪ I'm going Wednesday

♪ Bye-bye, baby

♪ Down the road

- Surprise, surprise!

Hollywood suddenly discovered
there was a huge teen market

waiting to be tapped, and
they thought I was the man

to help them do it.

Yeah, I know, but it's gonna
be a couple of weeks more.

All right.

Look, tell her I love her.

Give Siggy a big hug for
me, and I'll call her

as soon as we wrap.

Thanks, Jack, you're a pal.

My first movie was Rock Around
the Clock with Bill Haley.

I followed it up with two
movies using all the stars

like Chuck Berry
and Little Richard.

- Quiet on the set, please.

Ready?

Action!

- You can put me in jail,
you can condemn rock

and roll all you want,
but teenagers love it

because it speaks to
them in a language

that they understand.

It's not my music.
- No.

- It's not your music.
- No, sir.

- It's their music.

- You got that right, brother!

Hallelujah!

Wooooooooooo!

♪ Where are you little star?

- I was on such
an incredible roll!

But my wife was, shall we
say, less than thrilled.

Well, it's understandable.

I'm off in Hollywood and
she's home juggling Siggy

and little Alan, Junior.

Hello?!

♪ Twinkle, twinkle,
little star ♪

- Daddy's home!

- Siggy had the flu.

She didn't sleep all night.

- Ooh, how is my
handsome little devil?

You're the spitting
image of your old man!

- Yeah, he needs a nap.

- Hey, uh, I've been
gone for six weeks.

Don't I get a kiss or something?

No-one told me
that rock and roll

and a family life
weren't compatible.

Then I had an idea: a TV
show would keep me at home.

- Chase me, Daddy.

- The network loves it.

We will have dancing kids.

We will have musical stars.

We rehearse one day,
then the next night

I shoot it live at
seven, home by nine.

- What about your
show on L.O.R.?

- Oh, that will still
happen six nights a week,

but for three of them
I'll have a stand-ins.

Won't that be great?

- It's great, Daddy!

- My TV show featured
stars like Little Richard.

♪ A wop bop a loo
bop a lop bam boom ♪

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, woo

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ A wop bop a loo
bop a lop bam boom ♪

♪ Got a gal named Sue

♪ She knows just what to do

♪ Got a gal named Sue

♪ She knows just what to do

♪ She rock it to the east

♪ She rock it to the west

♪ But she's the girl
that I love best ♪

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, woo

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ Tutti frutti, aw rootie

♪ A wop bop a loo
bop a lop bam boom ♪

♪ I got a gal named Daisy

♪ She almost drives me crazy

♪ I got a gal

- Daddy looks different on TV.

- Yeah.

TV does that to people, sweetie.

- Okay, now Frankie Lymon and
the Teenagers closes the show.

So when Frankie finishes
the first verse of his song,

I want you all to jump
up out of your seats,

hit the floor and start dancing.

- Okay.

♪ Ooo-wah-ooo-wah

♪ Ooo-wah-ooo-wah

♪ Ooo-wah-ooo-wah

♪ Why do fools fall in love

♪ Why do birds sing so gay

♪ And lovers await
the break of day ♪

♪ Why do they fall in love

♪ Why does the rain
fall from up above ♪

♪ Why do fools fall in love

♪ Why do they fall in love

♪ Love is a losing game

♪ And love can be the shame

♪ I know of a fool, you see

♪ For that fool is me

♪ Tell me why

♪ Tell me why

- Go!

♪ Why do birds sing so gay

♪ And lovers await
the break of day ♪

♪ Why do they fall in love

- Alan, something happened
on last night's program.

It ended with Frankie Lymon
and a white girl dancing

with each other.

Southern affiliates
are going crazy.

Over 20 stations
called the sponsor

and threatened to take
The Big Beat off the air.

- All because Frankie Lymon
danced with a white girl?

- This is New York City.

The rest of the country
is a little behind

in its racial attitudes.

- Well, that's their problem.

- No, no, it's our problem.

The sponsor personally
called my boss

and said they'll continue
supporting the show

only if you book white
acts from now on.

- You've gotta be kidding!

- I'm afraid not.

- For crying out loud!

The music was born
in the Negro culture.

They pioneered it,
it's their sound.

- And now it's crossed over.

There are plenty of
white rock and roll acts,

what's the big deal?

- The big deal is,
it would be a lie.

You can't put on a rock and
roll show without Negro acts,

you just can't!

And then I say, "In their very
first television appearance,

"let's give a big
welcome to the Chantels."

♪ Aaaah

♪ Aaaah

♪ Aaaah

♪ Maybe, if I pray every night

♪ You'll come back to me

- Alan.

Alan, we have to talk.

♪ And maybe, if
I cry every day ♪

- The network called.

We've been canceled.

- Those cowards!

- Look, uh...

I can tell the Chantels
we've got scheduling problems

and that they've been postponed.

- No, no way.

No, it's...

It's over.

We're done.

♪ And maybe

♪ If I kiss your lips

♪ I'll be at your command

♪ Oh, maybe

♪ I pray and pray

I love your house.

And your kids are
just adorable --

- And my husband's
rich and famous.

What more could I want?

- To me, the answer is a tour.

Sign up the ten
biggest acts out there.

Have them play every major
city from here to Kalamazoo.

Hire advance men in each place,

make them really beat the drums.

You'll hit the front
page of every major daily

in North America.

- Yeah.

But it'll be a
logistical nightmare.

It gives me a headache
just to think about it.

- No one's really done
an all out national rock

and roll tour.

- You need it, Alan.

This TV thing was a fiasco.

It hurt you.

- What do you mean, it hurt me?

- You're off the air.

Everyone's watching
American Bandstand.

Now Dick Clark's the big
man in rock and roll.

You gotta fight back, show
them you're still number one.

Am I right?

Besides, it would
be good business.

For all of us.

- The greatest rock
and roll show on earth,

coming to a city near you.

♪ Let's go to the hop

♪ Let's go to the hop

- I want you to come
on tour with me.

Come on, baby, it'll
be like old times.

Remember all those R&B clubs
looking for the new acts,

rocking till dawn.

We had a blast.

- What did Levy mean when he
said it would be good business?

- Well, that we'll all
make a lot of money

doing a national tour.

- But we have a lot
of money, don't we?

- Well, yeah.

- What kind of deal
did you make with Levy?

What do you owe him?

- I just took out a
little loan for the house.

But after this one tour, I'll
be able to pay him all back.

- Jackie warned
you, I warned you.

- Look, it's nothing
to worry about.

- Owing money to a
man like Morris Levy

is nothing to worry about?

- Will you come with me?

- I'll have to think about it.

- Now I had to put together
the acts for the tour.

I worked out of my office
in the Brill Building.

- Excuse me, ma'am, how long
did Mr. Freed say he'd be?

- Oh, just a little
while longer.

- Thank you.

- So is this kid in the round?

- Look, he's got great
lyrics, a great voice,

his songs have a great beat.

- But, the kid's funny-looking
with those glasses.

How do we know he's
got stage presence?

♪ If you knew Peggy Sue

♪ Then you'd know why I
feel blue without Peggy ♪

♪ My Peggy Sue

♪ Oh, well I love you gal

♪ Yes, I love you, Peggy Sue

♪ Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue

♪ Oh, how my heart
yearns for you ♪

♪ Oh, Peggy

♪ My Peggy Sue

♪ Oh, well, I love you gal

♪ Yes, I love you, Peggy Sue

♪ Peggy Sue

♪ Peggy Sue

♪ Pretty, pretty, pretty,
pretty Peggy Sue ♪

♪ Oh, Peggy

- Yeah!

♪ My Peggy Sue

♪ Oh, well, I love you gal
and I need you Peggy Sue ♪

- It will be the
most ambitious rock

and roll tour ever undertaken.

Are you in?

- Alan, how long you known me?

- Since Cleveland, Ohio.

- Then you know if
you're doing 10 weeks

at the North Pole, I'm in.

- That's great!

- That damn black bastard!

What's he doing in here?

- Yeah.

What the hell--
- Yeah.

- Nothing new.

- Jackie, give me your drink.

Give me your cigarette.

- Alan.

- Give it to me!

♪ Oh, my darling,
don't you cry ♪

♪ Guardian angels up above

- This ain't no zoo in here!

Get that gorilla outta here!

- Excuse me, did
you say something?

- You heard me.

Hey!

Are you nuts?!
- Alan, come on,

they wanna be stupid ignorant
son-of-a-bitches, let them!

- What country are you from?!
- Come on!

Come on!

- Are you Alan Freed?

- And you are?

- I'm Denise Walton.

I can't tell you how thrilled
I am to be meeting you.

- Oh?

- I've been a fan of
yours since the first day

you started broadcasting here.

My office is upstairs.

- Let me guess...

You're a singer.

- I write songs.

- What have you written?

- Nothing you've heard of yet.

But since you asked,
here's a sample.

Give it a listen.

If it doesn't grab
you, no hard feelings.

- Fair enough.

- But if it does grab you,

maybe we could have
coffee sometime?

- Daddy.

I'm gonna miss you,
Daddy, so much.

- Oh, and I'm gonna
miss you, too.

- All right, say goodbye
to Daddy, he's gotta go.

- Bye.
- Bye-bye.

- Bye.

- Bye, honey.

Now, you have a schedule.

I'll have a front row seat
reserved for you at every show.

You can join us
whenever you want, okay?

- I can't make any promises.

- I'll see you.

♪ Hushabye, hushabye

♪ Oh, my darling

- Bye-bye.

- From Lubbock,
Texas, Buddy Holly!

♪ Well, that'll be the
day when said goodbye ♪

♪ Yes, that'll be the
day when you make cry ♪

♪ You say you gonna
leave, now it's a lie ♪

♪ 'Cause that'll be
the day when I die ♪

♪ Well, that'll be the day

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Oh, that'll be the day

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Oh, that'll be the day

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Oh, that'll be the day

- The one, the
only, Buddy Holly!

Our next star is more
than a rock and roller.

He's a force of nature.

Please join me in welcoming
The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis!

♪ Come on over baby, a whole
lotta shaking going on ♪

♪ Yes, I said come on over
baby, baby you can't go wrong ♪

♪ We ain't faking

♪ A whole lotta
shaking going on ♪

♪ Well, I said come
on over baby, we got

♪ Woo

♪ Come on, baby, baby got
the bull by the horn ♪

♪ We ain't faking

♪ A whole lotta
shaking going on ♪

♪ Yeah, well, let's
shake, baby shake ♪

♪ I said, shake baby, shake

♪ I said, shake baby, shake

♪ I said shake, baby, shake

♪ Come on over

♪ A whole lotta
shaking going on ♪

♪ Oh, let's go

- We played to
standing room only crowds

in every city.

The tour was a smash hit,
and at each performance,

I looked out and
saw that empty seat.

♪ Yeah, well, come on over baby,
we got chicken in the barn ♪

♪ Who's barn, what's
barn, my barn ♪

♪ Come on over baby, baby
got the bull by the horn ♪

♪ We ain't faking it

♪ A whole lotta
shaking going on ♪

♪ Easy now

♪ Hey, shake it, baby shake

♪ Shake it, baby shake

♪ Ooh

♪ Come on, girl

♪ Shake it, baby shake it

♪ Come on over

♪ A whole lot of
shaking going on ♪

- The killer!

Woo!

- Mr. Hoover, this Alan Freed
has been poisoning the minds

of young people for years.

- It's depraved what he does.

Is there anything subversive
in this Freed's background?

- He doesn't seem
very political.

However, he is very friendly
with quite a few Negroes.

- Hm.

He sells himself as
some kind of crusader

for the American teenager,
when what he's really doing

is corrupting their
morals and turning them

against their parents.

Let's get everything
we can on him.

This rock and roll
scourge may turn out

to be more dangerous
than communism.

- The tour was a great success.

And then we got to Boston.

It was a sell-out.

But the powers that
be were out to get me.

Ladies and gentlemen of
Boston, for a change of pace,

we have a nice, calm,
very relaxed performer.

What's that?

I can't hear you!

Please join me in welcoming
the King of Serene,

the always civil,
always well-mannered...

Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis!

No flying pianos tonight, okay?

- Don't worry, I'm cool.

♪ Now if you love me,
then please don't tease ♪

♪ If I can hold you,
baby, let me squeeze ♪

♪ My heart goes
round and round ♪

♪ My love is coming
tumbling down ♪

♪ You, leave me ah

♪ Breathless

♪ Well, I shake all
over and you know why ♪

♪ I'm sure it's love,
honey, that's no lie ♪

- I want those kids
back in their seats!

Otherwise it's
over, you hear me?

♪ You leave me ah

♪ Breathless

- Sorry, Jerry Lee.

As you can see, we have a
rather large police presence

here this evening.

I know, I know.

But the big boss man
would like everyone

to please take their seats.

I'm sorry, but there's
nothing I can say.

There's nothing I can do.

We can't continue until
you take your seats.

Thank you.

Please, as fast as you can.

Now, let's get back to the show.

Are you satisfied?

♪ Woo, baby

♪ Ooh, crazy

♪ You're much, too much

♪ Honey, I can't
love you enough ♪

♪ It's all right
to hold me tight ♪

♪ But when you love
me, love me right ♪

♪ Come on, baby,
now don't be shy ♪

♪ This love was
meant for you and I ♪

- Officers!

Come on, let's go!

Everybody move!

- What are you doing?

Just cool it!

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

- This concert is over!

All troublemakers will be
arrested and thrown in jail!

♪ Just let me hear some of
that rock and roll music ♪

♪ Any old way you choose it

♪ It's got a backbeat,
you can't lose it ♪

♪ Any old time you use it

♪ It's gotta be rock
and roll music ♪

♪ If you wanna dance with me

♪ If you wanna dance with me

♪ I have no kick
against modern jazz ♪

- Come on now.

Get going.

Get on the bus.

Keep going, keep going.

Let's go!

♪ That's why I go for
that rock and roll music ♪

♪ Any old way you choose it

♪ It's got a backbeat,
you can't lose it ♪

♪ Any old time you use it

♪ It's gotta be rock
and roll music ♪

♪ If you want to dance with me

♪ If you want to dance with me

♪ I took my loved one
over cross the tracks ♪

♪ So she can hear my
man a-wail a sax ♪

- What happened?

- Troy, Providence and
New Haven canceled us.

No more tour.

- Because of Boston?

The papers said that
people were stabbed

and robbed and raped.

- It's all lies!

But they're still going
to try to indict me

for inciting a riot.

- What's Levy gonna do?

- Probably kill me.

No, I'll be fine.

- Boys.

- Hello, Mo.

Didn't know you had
a key to my office?

- I don't.

Well, we got a
disaster on our hands.

After we pay off the
talent and expenses,

I figure you'll be in
the hole about 200 grand.

- Oh, I'll be in the hole?

Mm-hmm.

Well, then we'll just put
on another tour this summer.

- You're a hot potato right now.

Nobody'll let you
rent their theaters.

Alan, this Boston
thing is real bad.

Everyone is turning
against rock and roll.

- Not the people
who listen to it.

And the kids love
it more than ever.

- The kids don't run
this country, Alan,

politicians and preachers do.

You woke up the
F.B.I. and the D.A.

Right now they got you
in the cross-hairs.

- So what am I supposed to do?

Go back to promoting
Benny Goodman concerts?

- You have any idea how much
money there is to be made here?

We are riding a wave
and you're blowing it!

What, I'm blowing it?!

I invented rock and roll!

I am rock and roll!

- You were rock and roll.

It's even bigger than you now!

But you keep yourself
so out front,

they keep shining
that spotlight on you.

Well, see, we don't want
any bright lights looking

into our business, do we?

- You know what, I don't need
to take this crap from you.

- Excuse me?

- Get out of my office!

You hear me?

You get the hell
out of my office!

- You should talk
some sense into him.

- Alan--
- Just leave me alone!

- Can I come in?

- Hey, no, no, no, you no...

- That's okay.

- Oh, By the way,
I listened to your demo.

- That's the last thing you
need to be worrying about.

- No.

You're really talented.

It was great.

- You think so?

- Yes.

Hello, everybody, how are you
all doing out there tonight?

This is Alan Freed,
Mr. Rock and Roll.

Yeah, I've been off the
air for a little while

and I just wanna say that
it feels great being back

in front of this big
microphone again.

So
without further ado,

let's play some rock and roll!

The Boston prosecutor
couldn't prove I was trying

to overthrow the government,

so he dropped his
phoney inciting-a-riot

But the New York
D.A. began looking

into the record business.

Were DJs taking money
for playing records?

They called it payola.

♪ But I remember you

♪ It was not so long ago

- Alan.

- Oh, that.

- You know about it?

- Oh, yeah, they're
the same guys

that nailed Charlie Van Doren.

And that's their job,
to persecute people

and make headlines.

- Are you next?

- Me?

I'm clean.

- What about that
loan from Morris Levy?

- They'll never get to Mo.

- They can get to anyone.

And when they do, that
means saving his own hide,

he'll give you up in
a New York minute.

- Not Morris Levy.

♪ Tears on my pillow

♪ Pain in my heart

- Where are the kids?

- Napping.

- I need a hug.

♪ Love is not a gadget

♪ Love is not a toy

♪ When you find
the one you love ♪

♪ She'll fill your
heart with joy ♪

- Sorry.

♪ If we could start anew,
I wouldn't hesitate ♪

♪ I'd gladly take you back

♪ And tempt the hands

- Hello?

- Hey, sweetheart.

What are you doing?

- I'm busy with the kids.

- Listen, I have a meeting
early tomorrow morning,

so I thought I would stay
in the city tonight, okay?

- Okay.

You're not upset?

- No.

- I'll be home all weekend.

Listen, I gotta go.

I'll talk to you later.

- Everything okay?

Look, I don't know
what's going on

between you and your wife.

All I know is I really
like being with you.

But it's not fair to her...

Or me.

- You're right, I...

I'm sorry.

Hello?!

Daddy's home!

Hello?

♪ My love must be a
kind of blind love ♪

She'd left me.

And this time it was for good.

♪ I can't see anyone but you

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ Are the stars out tonight

♪ I don't know if it's
cloudy or bright ♪

♪ I only have eyes

♪ For you

♪ Dear

♪ Sha bop sha bop

♪ The moon may be high

- I'd offer you a drink,
but I hear you been drinking

too much lately.

- Rough times.

- Yeah, well, rough times
are about to get rougher.

That's a subpoena from the
New York City Grand Jury.

D.A. is launching his own
investigation into payola.

- There's that
lovely word again.

Listen, you could
always take the Fifth.

- I got these special agents
harassing the crap out of me.

A bunch of them
bursted into my office,

they seized the
books for Roulette.

They know about the
note on your house.

- That was just a loan...

From one friend to another.

- They won't see it that
way and you know it.

- So take the Fifth.

- Thing is, they offered
the record companies a deal.

- What're you saying, Mo?

You're selling me
down the river?

- We get immunity in
return for testifying

against the radio station
people we did business with.

- If you tell them what they
wanna hear, I am ruined!

- Alan...

I'll do what I have to do.

I know it's hard, but keep
your mouth shut for a while.

Lay low.

Don't let your enemies bury you.

- I've got my friends for that.

- When this is all over,
if you need any help,

you let me know.

- Where've you been?

I've been so worried about you.

- Worried about me?

Gee, I don't know why.

I only have the F.B.I., the
I.R.S., the New York D.A.

and the State's Attorney
General breathing down my neck.

Otherwise, my life is beautiful.

- Why didn't you call me?

- Look, you know
what you should do?

Turn around and walk
away and never look back.

- Don't treat me like this.

- Look, Denise, you're
a very nice person

and you're incredibly talented.

- This isn't about my career.

It's about you.

- It's just not that easy.

- Don't do this.

- Goodbye, Denise.

- Close the door.

I'm releasing you
from your contract.

- On what grounds?

- Legally I don't
need any grounds.

- Do you even like
music, Mr. McCaw?

- Over the last six months
you've had stand-ins

cover your program more
than 50% of the time.

- Who I have paid for
out of my own pocket.

- And the ratings
have remained high.

You know why that is?

Because people want
the music, not you.

- This is because of payola?!

You can't stand the heat?!

I made you rich.

I built this business!

- Yeah, that's right.

But Alan Freed is no longer
a business I want to be in.

Tonight's your last broadcast.

- Yours truly here.

Now, before I play
this last record,

I have an announcement to make.

After tonight, I will no
longer be broadcasting

on this station.

And as of right
now, I have no idea

where I'll be broadcasting next.

I just wanna thank you all
for your wonderful cards

and letters and your
words of encouragement

during my time here at W.L.O.R.

I couldn't have done
it without you...

All you listening out there.

I tried to play what
I thought was the best

in rock and roll.

And as far as this
payola stuff goes,

I just want you to know
I never played a record

that I didn't like. That
is the God honest truth.

I did consult for
the record companies.

I told them what I
thought might make it

and what I thought might not.

And they paid me for that,
I provided a service.

Sure I made some mistakes...

But I never ever took a bribe.

Now mark my words: when this
is over and my name is cleared,

I'll be riding through
Central Park on a white horse.

To those of you out
there who supported me...

Thank you.

And to my family...

I love you.

And I want you to know
this is not goodbye.

It is just goodnight.

We'll see you soon.

And just remember this: rock
and roll is here to stay.

Thanks for listening.

♪ Goodnight, my love

♪ Pleasant dreams and
sleep tight, my love ♪

♪ May tomorrow be
sunny and bright ♪

♪ And bring you closer to me

♪ Before you go

♪ There's just one
thing I'd like to know ♪

♪ Is your love
still warm for me? ♪

♪ Or has it gone cold?

♪ If you should awake
in the still of night ♪

♪ Please