American Hot Wax

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

Tim McIntire

Alan Freed

Fran Drescher

Sheryl

Jay Leno

Mookie

Laraine Newman

Teenage Louise

Carl Weaver

Member of The Chesterfields

Al Chalk

Member of The Chesterfields

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