American Hot Wax (1978)

1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.

This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950s. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.

Cast (47)CrewGenresDetailsReleasesMediaAwards

Tim McIntire

Alan Freed

Fran Drescher

Sheryl

Jay Leno

Mookie

Laraine Newman

Teenage Louise

C

Carl Weaver

Member of The Chesterfields

Al Chalk

Member of The Chesterfields

S

Sam Harkness

Member of The Chesterfields

Arnold McCuller

Member of The Chesterfields

Jeff Altman

Lennie Richfield

Moosie Drier

Artie Moress

John Lehne

D.A. Coleman

Stewart Steinberg

Stone

J

Jack Edward Ellis

Phillips

R

Richard Forbes

Donahue

Stephen Pearlman

Peter Overmyer

Keene Curtis

Mr. Leonard

Pat McNamara

Gordie

W

Will Thornbury

Sid

Hamilton Camp

Louie Morgan

Chuck Berry

Self

Jerry Lee Lewis

Self

Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Self

C

Charles Greene

Chuck Otis

Kenny Vance

Prof. La Plano

J

Joe Esposito

Member of The Planotones

Bruce Sudano

Member of The Planotones

E

Eddie Hokenson

Member of The Planotones

S

Stephanie Spruill

Member of The Delights

J

Joyce King

Member of The Delights

Y

Yolande Howard

Member of The Delights

B

Brenda Russell

Member of The Delights

M

Marion Perkins

Artie's Mom

M

Matthew Tobin

Artie's Dad

B

Bobby Johnson

Tap Dancer

H

Harold 'Red' Keller

Stage Manager

E

Elmer Valentine

Union Man

C

Charles Irwin

Member of Timmy and The Tangerines

J

Jeanne Sheffield

Member of Timmy and The Tangerines

A

Andrea Robinson

Girl Backstage

G

Gail Kantor

Girl Backstage

P

Patricia Clinger

Girl Backstage

M

Mark Diamond

Stagehand

A

Al Maines

Tap Dancer

A

Artie Ripp

Artie

Mary Peters

Big Red

Nora Denney

Louise's Mom

Dina Ousley

Stage Manager's Date

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