American Hot Wax
1978This 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.
Acted in
Tim McIntire
as Alan Freed
Fran Drescher
as Sheryl
Jay Leno
as Mookie
Laraine Newman
as Teenage Louise
Carl Weaver
as Member of The Chesterfields
Al Chalk
as Member of The Chesterfields
Sam Harkness
as Member of The Chesterfields
Arnold McCuller
as Member of The Chesterfields
Jeff Altman
as Lennie Richfield
Moosie Drier
as Artie Moress
John Lehne
as D.A. Coleman
Stewart Steinberg
as Stone
Jack Edward Ellis
as Phillips
Richard Forbes
as Donahue
Stephen Pearlman
as Peter Overmyer
Keene Curtis
as Mr. Leonard
Pat McNamara
as Gordie
Will Thornbury
as Sid
Hamilton Camp
as Louie Morgan
Chuck Berry
as Self
Jerry Lee Lewis
as Self
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
as Self
Charles Greene
as Chuck Otis
Kenny Vance
as Prof. La Plano
Joe Esposito
as Member of The Planotones
Bruce Sudano
as Member of The Planotones
Eddie Hokenson
as Member of The Planotones
Stephanie Spruill
as Member of The Delights
Joyce King
as Member of The Delights
Yolande Howard
as Member of The Delights
Brenda Russell
as Member of The Delights
Marion Perkins
as Artie's Mom
Matthew Tobin
as Artie's Dad
Bobby Johnson
as Tap Dancer
Harold 'Red' Keller
as Stage Manager
Elmer Valentine
as Union Man
Charles Irwin
as Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Jeanne Sheffield
as Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Andrea Robinson
as Girl Backstage
Gail Kantor
as Girl Backstage
Patricia Clinger
as Girl Backstage
Mark Diamond
as Stagehand
Al Maines
as Tap Dancer
Artie Ripp
as Artie
Mary Peters
as Big Red
Nora Denney
as Louise's Mom