December 15, 1921 – Alan Freed is born in Windber, Pa., but the family moves to Salem, Ohio, where he graduates from Salem High School. Freed creates a band – the Sultans of Swing – takes an interest in radio and becomes a DJ at WKBN in Youngstown and WAKR in Akron. Thanks to Cleveland record store owner Leo Mintz, he lands at WJW in Cleveland and hosts a late-night R&B show. Rock and roll is born!
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