A Brief History
On March 21, 1952, disc jockey Alan Freed (inventor of the term “rock and roll”) and record store owner Leo Mintz staged the first rock concert in Cleveland, Ohio!
Digging Deeper
At the time, our country was divided by race, with African-Americans who served the country during World War II expecting to achieve something more like equality than the segregation and discriminatory treatment of the day.
With major civil rights milestones such as integration of the armed forces in 1948 and landmark events such as Brown v. Board of Education and the Rosa Parks led bus boycott right around the corner, many people black and white were ready for a change.
Of course, many more were not! Rock and roll music evolved from African-American musical styles and many younger European-Americans readily took to it whether the performers were black or white. The Moondog Coronation Ball scheduled for March 21, 1952 was not only the first real rock and roll concert organized but had the (for the time) rare distinction of combining black and white performers.
Held at the Cleveland Arena, a venue fielding about 10,000 seats, advance tickets were $1.50 and those quickly sold out. Unfortunately, tickets for another concert were accidentally printed with the March 21 date and there was some ticket counterfeiting going on as well, resulting in over 20,000 people showing up.
Rock and roll may have been in its infancy, but rock concert fans were still rock concert fans, and authorities (Fire Marshall) closed the show after only one number! Although public safety is a reasonable conclusion for the closing, it has been speculated that authorities were just looking for a reason to stop the integrated show. No proof of that exists, but with the segregated nature of the music industry it seems plausible that people interested in the status quo would take offense to mixed race performers playing for an integrated crowd. It is hard for people that did not experience the racial discrimination and strife of that time to understand how pervasive it was. Reading about it and watching newsreel clips only gives a little of the real feeling of the time.
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams played one song and it was over! The Moondog Coronation Ball lives on in the form of an oldies concert by that name every year since 1992 (40th anniversary) held in Cleveland. The 2014 Moondog Coronation Ball will be held on March 29 at Quicken Loans Arena and will feature luminaries such as Steppenwolf, Tommy James and the Shondells, Herman’s Hermits and The Family Stone! Unlike 1952, tickets cost a little more, with the cheap seats starting at $37.75.
Long live Rock and Roll! We shall see you there!
Question for students (and subscribers): Have you ever been to a concert in Cleveland, Ohio? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Feran, Tom and John Gorman. The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio–A Memoir. Gray & Company, Publishers, 2008.
Miller, James. Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947-1977. Simon and Schuster, 2000.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1533 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1533">110 Comments
Unless you lived during that time you would not understand. It took some time for people to get used to the idea of the races mixing, not everyone of that era. My dad was not prejudiced at all and he did not promote prejudiced actions in our family.
Despite all of the early hardships, rock and roll still lives on
It is a true shame that racism exists… even today. — DAVID WARDLE
Sad that racism is everywhere to day.
Gotta love that Cleveland is the home of Rock and Roll
I can’t imagine NOT having races mixing or seeing the prejudiced beliefs of the time period. AND I can’t imagine seeing 20,000 people in one area!
Racism will always be a part from our world no matter what the case may be. It’s sad, but very true.
Too bad this got shut down…I can’t imagine going to a concert just to have it cancelled after one song.
“Steppenwolf,Tommy James and the Shondells, Herman’s Hermits and The Family Stone!”
Reading that and being able to just start singing songs from each of those groups makes me feel old. 🙁
It’s great hearing about history facts related to Cleveland. too bad it got shut down
Pretty cool that Cleveland is home of the rock in roll hall of fame.
It’s sad that the reason that it may have got shut down was because it was an integrated concert.
I can just picture this place being filled to twice its capacity. I’m sure everyone was having a great time and looking forward to a memorable night. It’s such a shame that the authorities didn’t just let it be.
I believe racism will always be a part of society,even as much as someone tries.
Even though it may have been race related for the shut down it sounds like the fire marshall had a real concern with the amount of people who showed up.
Neat to know that we had the first rock concert right here in the home state and a very close to where we all live. 20000 people that is a ton of people for a first concert. But I guess every one wanted to see what it was all about. The racism part I don’t really get, it doesn’t need to be a factor in anything. The part that sucks is that it will never go away totally.
Even if racism was the reason to shut the concert, people’s safety was the top priority. Twice the number of people showed up for the concert, the crew probably did not have enough resources.
It is a shame that this could not continue but I can understand why it was a risk.
It is amazing to think in that time that many people came to an integrated concert. It is a shame it could not be finished.
Its not right that authorities were just looking for a reason to stop the integrated show.
I had previously heard of the Moondog Coronation Ball, but didn’t actually know what it was until now.
I don’t think that race should have been a part of why it was shut down. But it is crazy that 20,000 people showed up to this concert.
I don’t think something as harmless as a rock concert should be shut down because of racism even if it is just speculation.
I feel like race might have just been the cover story of why they really shut it down
I may have to check out the Moondog Coronation Ball next year!
Even racism got in the way of concerts, such a shame
People will use racism any way they can to ruin everything.
Rascism is such a awful thing seems to ruin everythign
We are far from perfect in the U.S. but we are light years ahead of what we used to be in terms of racism.
racism is an unfortunate topic to talk about. we still have it today believe it or not, not as bad as it used to be. but hopefully we can get out of this stage where we make racism “relevent”. we need to move on from this. its an embarrassment.
Music brings people together and rock and roll is no different. It is a shame racism had to ruined it for everyone. Also how did Cleveland Arena get the concert to actually get set up in the first place.
Racism needs to be stopped and it’s so depressing that we’re still dealing with it! People in America need to get over themselves.
Racism is such a sad thing that hurt so many lives.
So I guess another reason why Cleveland is known as the home of rock and roll is because the first concert was held here! It’s still sad that racism impacted so many lives.
Racism is poor and needs to be changes not just black, but muslims, natives, mexicans , and etc. How can people live in this world today like this?
I have recently visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my family, but did not really try to learn much of its history. It’s cool to think that the first concert happened here, and that might have contributed to the Hall of Fame being built here.
I never knew the first concert was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Music has always had the ability to bring people together and it is a shame that authorities would search for reasons to bring it to a halt.
Love that Cleveland was the first to try to have an integrated music concert. Too bad it was closed after one act. A $1.50 for tickets sounds crazy. Too bad it’s so expensive now.
I love music is so often color blind!! Especially early, mainstream music, people just liked what they heard.
I had no idea the first rock n’ roll concert took place in Cleveland. It is sad that authorities wanted to shut down the concert just because of racial discrimination. It is so hard for me to believe how closed minded people were and still can be.
It has always amazed me how so many people loved integrated music but mistreated African Americans. It has never made sense to me. I also did not know that Cleveland held the first rock and roll concert.
I did not know that the first rock-n-roll concert was held in Cleveland. I think that its amazing to read that music brought people together no matter their race.
I am glad that this article reiterates that the first rock-n-roll concert was held in Cleveland. I have driven by the rock-n-roll hall of fame but have personally never been inside of it.
Its great that rock can bring people together, a shame the authorities were possibly racist.
I like that this took place in Ohio. It is cool to see that the first rock and roll concert happened in Cleveland.
It was exciting to learn that the first Rock and Roll concert was in Cleveland, Ohio. Mostly I couldn’t believe that the tickets were only $1.50.
I knew that Cleveland was the birth place but have yet to make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in Cleveland. It does make me wonder about the reasons behind shutting down the first concert there.
I find it kind of funny how there were tickets printed for a different concert on the same day so 20,000 people showed up to a place that could only seated 10,000 people.
It is interesting to me that so many events in rock and roll happened in Cleveland. I had no idea before, and always wondered why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
How cool would it be if tickets to a concert were still $1.50? It does seem suspicious that they closed the show after only one song. I also think it’s plausible that the reason was to stop an integrated show, especially at that time.
It is weird to think of the price of a ticket at this time. I knew that Rock and Roll started in Cleveland because of the hall of fame. I always wondered why it started there though.
I enjoyed learning that the history of Rock n Roll has remained in Cleveland all this time. If tickets were still $1.50 there would be so many more fun opportunities to go see our favorite artists! I love learning about such wonderful history that came from Ohio.
Man I wish tickets were still $1.50 could afford a lore more concerts thats for sure.
I have been the Rock n Roll museum in Cleveland before. It is a great place. I am proud that I live in Ohio.
$1.50 was a very great deal to go to a concert. I like to go to the Rock n Roll Museum in Cleveland
I wish concerts were $1.50!
I wish that the prices were still like they were back then!
If only ticket prices were still that low. Artists throughout the United States would actually gain more popularity!
It is so cool that this began in Cleveland. I am shocked at how expensive tickets to concerts are today compared to back then.
This is awesome, rock and roll was born in Cleveland.
Prices were so cheap back then.
I can’t believe how cheap prices used to be
The venue must have really been packed.
It is cool to see that this took place in Ohio. Could be why the rock n roll hall of fame is placed in Cleveland, Ohio.
How can error of such proportions occur. I wonder if that person got to keep their job.
One more thing to be proud of as an Ohioan! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is such a fun place to visit too.
If only we still had those prices today
O. H. I. O.
Interesting to learn that the first rock concert was help where the rock n roll hall of fame is today and to learn that the ticket price was $1.50.
I would go to concerts all the time if we had prices like that.
Wow its cool that the rock and roll concert was where the hall of fame is
The segregation and discrimination of the time is a he reason that Elvis became so wildly popular. Sam Phillips knew that if he could get a white guy to sing black music, he would be a millionaire.
It would not surprise me at all if this show was closed because of racial prejudices.
I always wondered why Cleveland was where they decided to build the hall of fame. Now I know.
This is very interesting that Ohio serves as the first to hold this concert. I do wish the prices were still 1.50 for a ticket for a concert.
I agree with you I wish ticket prices were still $1.50 or even $37 like they were in 1952.
Now it makes sense why the rock and roll hall of fame is in Ohio. It’s neat to know our state played such a part in the birth of rock and roll. I find it amazing how music could bring people together even during the time of segrgation!
Music and Rock and Roll have no color! If someone makes great music people will listen, no matter the color of their skin!
The Moondog Coronation Ball is quite known to any Clevelander, great to know the history behind the concert. Sad, though that as music brought people together, the law wanted to tear them apart.
Never heard of the Moondog Ball. Never even heard anyone talk about it. Seems authorities are always interfering with what society really wants. Interesting how Cleveland was the stomping grounds for Rock n’ Roll.
It is always great how music can bring people together. In this instance bringing African Americans and Caucasians together, Rock and Roll helped everyone forget about what color you were at least for a moment making everyone just fans of the genre. I especially find it sad that the African Americans who served in WWII were not even treated with any respect or equality. This reminds me of our similar situation today with the immigrants who have served for our country. They are having a hard time finding equality due to our government having to take action to keep the dangerous immigrants out.
I never knew why Cleveland was called the rock and roll capitol until I read this article. It is true that when music is playing you forget about your problems. There is no race when it comes to music because you truly can’t tell who is singing on radio, plus good music is good music no matter who is singing.
No wonder Cleveland is the home to the Rock Hall. I would have hoped that was not the reason the shut the concert down but an extra 10,000 people at any event would have my concerns for safety.
The Moondog Coronation Ball was the most iconic concert to ever hit Cleveland Ohio. An interracial concert in 1952 was unheard of. Cleveland will always be the city of rock and roll.
What better way to break some racial tension than with music. Music can always be the one thing to bring people together. Sadly, certain people’s ignorance stopped everyone from enjoying a good time.
Music is my number one go to thing. I always new it could bring people together. Rock and roll music evolved from African-American musical styles
I love rock n roll and all mixes of music. I could see back then people trying to stop it because it was mixed black and white. That was a great thing to do they should of let it be.
Music did seem to bring those of different color together and racists did not like that.
Although the event ended up getting shut down after just one number, I am still proud to be from the city that had the first rock concert that included all races in a time when this was seen as taboo.
The fact that this happened Cleveland is awesome. The fact that the show was shut down is not a neat thing. That would be why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, Ohio.
Love that it was in Cleveland ohio!!!
I’ve lived in Canton, Ohio all of my life. It sounds like it would have been an awesome rock concert. I wish I could have been there. I also have my doubts that the concert was stopped due to safety issues. I want to believe that they stopped the concert because of both blacks and whites were performing in the same place. I am a white male. At one time, I had a black girlfriend that some of my family members did not approve of at that time. I am all for equal rights for everyone, even though I live with someone who thinks otherwise. I judge people for what is on the inside rather than the color of their skin. It is sad to say that we still live in a world that still discriminates against other races.
This was an interesting story. I did not realize that the first rock concert was in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a shame that the concert was shut down just after one song. The question I have is: Do you think that the tickets that were “accidentally” printed for another concert with the same date and the printing of counterfeit tickets was purposely done so that too many people would show up so they would have an excuse to shut it down?
I bet that was an amazing concert, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is awesome. If you ever get the chance it is definitely a must see.
I am from Cleveland Ohio and I need to visit the Hall of Fame. I love different cultures of music
First rock and roll concert held in Cleveland, Ohio, makes sense why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calls this city home. I like that the hall has a variety of music in it.
I wonder if this is how Cleveland became the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That first concert must’ve been great.
I’ve always wondered why The Rock and Roll HOF is housed in Cleveland. This explains it!
Considering the time period and social opinions, I would not be surprised if the police didn’t “look” for a reason to shut the event down. At that time worse was being done to the African American race, and unfortunately some individuals were not ready for it to be over.
The most amazing thing about this concert is that it hosted both black and white performers without any serious issues. Discrimination continued long after the concert, and still does today, but it is interesting that Rock N’ Roll brought the races together.
As somebody who lives in the Cleveland area, I just spoke to a friend’s mother the other day about her experience attending this year’s Moondog Coronation Ball. She made it sound like the concert was a blast for everyone in attendance, so I can’t imagine any of the acts that played or the emcee brought up the event’s racially-charged past!
I have only been to Cleveland twice in my whole life but to find out that the first Rock and Roll concert was there, now I want to go to the hall of fame and see the different music cultures.
This was an interesting article! I have enjoined learning about the events that occurred here in Ohio!
I have lived in Ohio my entire life. I was unaware the first rock and roll concert was in our very own Cleveland.
To think all that happened 65 years ago and look how the music industry is today
I never knew that the first Rock N’ Roll concert was held in Cleveland! I’m glad Cleveland was blessed with having the Rock N’ Roll hall of fame.
I remember that there was a rock and roll Museum in Cleveland, and there were all kinds of clothes and props for rock singers
Cleveland Rocks! I bet the shut down was definitely partly to do with race.
It’s cool the first rock concert was in Cleveland but I wish the show had gotten to happen. It would have been an even cooler moment in history.
Interesting to learn that the first rock concert was where the rock n roll hall of fame is today and to learn that the ticket price was $1.50.