May 4, 1957…America’s First Prime Time Rock n Roll Show Debuts <\/p>\n
On this day in 1957, ABC brought radio’s top DJ, Alan Freed to television, and that made “The Big Beat”, the first nationally-televised rock \u2019n roll dance show. Freed’s 30 minute, Friday night show came four months before Dick Clark’s afternoon show, “American Bandstand” debuted nationally on ABC that August. <\/p>\n
Freed\u2019s show was a summer replacement test of sorts, and ran with the understanding, that if there were enough viewers, it would continue into the 1957-58 TV season. Early reviews in June and July were positive, and ratings for the first episodes were strong. <\/p>\n
Freed and his show seemed to be on course for a long run…BUT…his TV show came to an abrupt end. It seems that on the episode which featured a live performance by Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers, Lymon (who had appeared with Freed in some of his films), was shown dancing with a white girl. The biracial dance scene enraged ABC\u2019s Southern affiliates, and the network cancelled the show despite its growing popularity.<\/p>\n
A little later, Freed struck a deal with Dumont’s WABD to televise “The Big Beat” show again locally. Even as WABD became WNEW, the show continued, until the Payola charges started, not only flying, but landing on Freed. -Bobby Ellerbee<\/p>\n