Legendary DJ Alan Freed Gets A Final Sendoff

04:51

May 06, 2016

American disc jockey and radio performer Alan Freed (1921 - 1965) who coined the term rock 'n' roll sits in a 1010 WINS sound studio during a radio broadcast, 1950s. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

On Saturday, the ashes of legendary disc jockey Alan Freed will come to their final resting place at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland. Steven Van Zandt from the E Street Band is scheduled to give a eulogy and The Drifters will perform at the memorial service. Freed blended a love of music with a dynamic radio personality to make an indelible mark on American popular culture.

From the Here & Now contributors network, David C. Barnett of WCPN remembers the man who gave rock and roll its name.

Reporter

David C. Barnett, contributor, WCPN. He tweets @DCBstream.

This segment aired on May 6, 2016.