Cleveland Heights in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alan Freed

1921 - 1965

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 6, 2025

1. Alan Freed Marker

Inscription. "Rock & Roll" was born in Cleveland when Ohio native and radio disc jockey Alan Freed coined the phrase in 1951. He championed the uptempo, rhythm-and-blues sound, and the music appealed to people on both sides of the racial divide. Freed ushered in a new spirit that helped break the barriers of segregation and provided a joyful soundtrack for hope and change.

A trailblazer for rock & roll through his radio shows, concerts, television shows and movie appearances, the music's popularity went global and forever changed our cultural landscape.

With the success of his "Moondog Rock & Roll House Party" radio show, Freed organized Cleveland's "Moondog Coronation Ball" the world's first rock concert on March 21, 1952.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is March 21, 1952.

Location. 41° 30.552′ N, 81° 35.402′ W. Marker is in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is at the intersection of Quarry Road and Mayfield Road, on the right when traveling west on Quarry Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2628 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland OH 44106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: President James A. Garfield Memorial Restoration (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome To The James A. Garfield Memorial

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(about 300 feet away); In Memoriam (about 400 feet away); Dr. Andrew C. Novick (about 400 feet away); Burial Place of James A. Garfield (about 500 feet away); Alexander Winton (about 500 feet away); Lakeview Cemetery 9-11 Memorial (about 600 feet away); Henry A. Sherwin (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland Heights.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 6, 2025

2. Alan Freed Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.