On this day: January 20, 1965

If Feb. 2 is known as the day the music died (we'll get to that shortly) January 20 is the day rock and roll died. On this day in 1965 Cleveland disk jockey Alan Freed passed away from uraemia after being found guilty of a payola scandal and ordered to pay a heavy fine.

Before scandal broke however, Freed was one of the most celebrated names in rock, credited by many as the person who coined the phrase rock and roll, and more importantly one of the first to play black music for a predominately white audience.

Freed was also known for promoting concerts that included both white and black performers, something that was almost unheard of at that time.

If you happen to find yourself in the Cleveland area these days and are feeling a bit nostalgic, stop by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum where you can not only see Freed's original studio, but you might be able to talk to people actually working inside it too! Although Freed passed away before his time, he was only 43, his legacy and memory still live on in Cleveland and throughout the country.

Other notable events for January 20:
-The Monkees is first broadcast on British TV on Jan. 20, 1967
-Ozzy Osbourne is hospitalized on Jan. 20, 1982 after biting the head off a bat during a concert
-Jerry Lee Lewis performs at the Grand Ole Opry on Jan. 20, 1973. Lewis was told not to play rock and roll or to cuss, he didn't listen on either account
-Duane Allman born Jan. 20, 1946