First rock 'n' roll concert
Who
Moondog Coronation Ball
What
first
Where
United States (Cleveland)
When
The ill-fated Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland Arena, Ohio, USA, on 21 March 1952 is regarded as the world’s first rock 'n' roll concert. Described as the “Big Bang of rock ‘n’ roll”, the concert was organized by DJ Alan Freed (1921–65) and music store owner Leo Mintz (1911–76) and was headlined by saxophonist Paul Williams (1915–2002) and his Hucklebuckers (all USA). The event was credited with “bringing black and white kids together to dance in post-war America” but was abandoned after approximately 30 minutes due to overcrowding and rioting after more than 20,000 revellers stormed the 9,950-seat venue.