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.

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