Reference Number
ARC-0304
Level of description
collection
Title
The Big Beat Scrapbook (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Collection)
Date
1959-1960
Size
0.21 (Linear feet)
Scope and Contents
The Big Beat Scrapbook (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Collection) documents the taping of this television show from approximately October 1959 through January 1960. It contains photographs of performers, including Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, audience members, and detailed taping notes for select shows. The scrapbook will be useful to researchers interested in rock and roll television, and popular culture during the 1950s. Please note the book is in poor condition, with loose pages and photographs.
Biography / Administrative History
The Big Beat was a televised version of Alan Freed's rock and roll revues that featured popular recording artists. It first aired on ABC in July 1957, prior to the first national broadcast of Dick Clark's American Bandstand. However, the controversy over Frankie Lymon dancing with a white girl on The Big Beat caused ABC to cancel it after three episodes. Freed later hosted a similar Saturday night show for WNEW-TV from August to November 1959; WCBS's Richard Hayes hosted it upon Freed's payola arrest.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Big Beat Scrapbook (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Collection) was purchased by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. on December 19, 2011.
Processing Information: Processed by Anastasia Karel, Assistant Archivist. Completed March 30, 2012. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Citation: The Big Beat Scrapbook (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Collection), Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities 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.
Associated Persons
Associated Subjects
