This collection contains 48 black-and-white photographic reproductions, printed in 2007, of candid shots from what appears to be at least two different events held at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York during 1957: Alan Freed's Easter Jubilee from April and his Summer Festival from July. Some of the images are of poor quality and blurred. If the individuals pictured could be identified, their names were written on the back in pencil. Identifiable from the Easter Jubilee are Bo Diddley, Charlie Gracie, Bobby Marchan, Billy Mason & The Rhythm Jesters, The Rhythm Orchids (Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen), The Rosebuds, Al Sears, and of course Alan Freed himself. Identifiable from the Summer Festival are Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Panama Francis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Johnnie & Joe, Lewis Lymon & The Teen Chords, Clyde McPhatter, Jodie Sands, Al Sears, The Teenagers with Frankie Lymon, Joe Turner, and Alan Freed. The collection provides visual evidence of the groundbreaking mixed race concerts Freed hosted in the 1950s. The photographs are arranged by event, with unidentifiable images at the end of each folder.
Biography / Administrative History
From 1954 to 1959, Alan Freed held concerts at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York, featuring mostly rhythm and blues artists and drawing both black and white music fans. They included Alan Freed's Rock 'N Roll Party, Rock 'N Roll Anniversary shows, Rock 'N Roll Easter Jubilees, Holiday Jubilees, Christmas Jubilees, Jubilee of Stars, and Alan Freed Presents the Big Beat--over the course of six years, more than twenty shows were held at the Paramount.
Existence and Location of Originals
The existence and location of the original photographs is unknown.
Notes
Separated Materials: Magazines have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "Dr. Rosario Cambria Collection" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles.
Citation: [Identification of Item], Dr. Rosario Cambria Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Processing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Head Archivist. Completed April 11, 2011. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this finding aid: DACS and local processing manual.
Acquisition Note: The Dr. Rosario Cambria Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Inc. as gifts from Cambria on November 19, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
Language Note: No linguistic content.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.