The Alan Freed State Marker & Freed Sidewalk Star are in Miners Park outside the hotel.

American Heritage Magazine praised Freed as the most underrated
and pivotal figure in early Rock and Roll.

Sculpter George Turner creating the Alan Freed star

Terry Stewart, President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum,
with Freed's microphone hanging over his desk.

Downtown Windber along Rock & Roll Avenue

As Alan Freed's son, I cannot think of a more personal honor to his memory than to have his birthplace remembered and recognized by the people who live in his hometown. The fact that the great State of Pennsylvania has officially blessed his origins makes this even a happier occasion.

Almost 51 years ago, on March 21, 1952, Alan Freed ushered in a new era of music when he held a dance at the Cleveland arena... "THE MOONDOG CORONATION BALL". He was playing race records, a term for blues and rhythm music performed by the original black artists at that time...and he sold 800 tickets in advance of the date of the Coronation Ball. Little did he know that the music had become so popular among his listeners that 25,000 people would show up. A near riot ensued, the world's first rock concert took place, and the words "rock n' roll" would become embedded as a permanent part of the cultural explosion to define this happiest of all music forms for decades to come.

The Freed family would like to thank all the people who made this tribute possible, and in particular thank Blair Murphy and the Spinellis for their vision, passion and undying support.

...and to my father, thank you, dad for giving the world the greatest gift you could possibly give...the gift of music. This memorial tribute is yours, and we love you.

-Lance Freed