Alan Freed(1921-1965)

During the summer of 1957, he hosted "The Big Beat", Saturday nights on ABC. The show featured live (as opposed to lip sync) performances of many of the top Pop and Rock recording artists of the day, including Frankie Lymon and Sal Mineo, who had a hit with "Start Movin' (In My Direction)". The format was similar to Freed's R n R theatrical revues. As of 2012, there appears to be no film (kinescope) available of these landmark broadcasts. Videotape was not introduced until 1958.

[on rock and roll] This music comes from the levees and the plantations. It's simple to dance to, and to clap your hands to, and the kids know the words to every song. That's why they come. This is an audience-participation kind of music. They come in and pay to sing louder than the performers.