Alan Freed(1921-1965)

Broke down barriers by playing music of black artists for primarily white audiences long before most anyone else in the business.

[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.