What Moondog am I Commemorating?

The Moondog Coronation Ball – March 21, 1952

The country’s first major Rock ‘n Roll concert.  It was held in the old Cleveland Arena on Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland, and was hosted by local DJ, Alan Freed.  Freed was the person who coined the term Rock ‘n Roll.

This concert, which brought together both a multi-racial audience and list of performers – unusual in 1952, was short-lived because it was oversold and was subsequently shut down for over-crowding.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the event.  This year’s concert will take place on March 31, at Cleveland’s Q arena.