

American Hot Wax
1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.
Genres
Overview
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.
Details
Budget
$0
Revenue
$11000000
Runtime
91 min
Release Date
1978-03-17
Status
Released
Original Language
English
Vote Count
19
Vote Average
5.6
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
Jack Edward Ellis
Phillips
Richard Forbes
Donahue
Stephen Pearlman
Peter Overmyer
Keene Curtis
Mr. Leonard
Pat McNamara
Gordie
Will Thornbury
Sid
Hamilton Camp
Louie Morgan
Chuck Berry
Self
Jerry Lee Lewis
Self
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Self
Charles Greene
Chuck Otis
Kenny Vance
Prof. La Plano
Joe Esposito
Member of The Planotones
Bruce Sudano
Member of The Planotones
Eddie Hokenson
Member of The Planotones
Stephanie Spruill
Member of The Delights
Joyce King
Member of The Delights
Yolande Howard
Member of The Delights
Brenda Russell
Member of The Delights
Marion Perkins
Artie's Mom
Matthew Tobin
Artie's Dad
Bobby Johnson
Tap Dancer
Harold 'Red' Keller
Stage Manager
Elmer Valentine
Union Man
Charles Irwin
Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Jeanne Sheffield
Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Andrea Robinson
Girl Backstage
Gail Kantor
Girl Backstage
Patricia Clinger
Girl Backstage
Mark Diamond
Stagehand
Al Maines
Tap Dancer
Artie Ripp
Artie
Mary Peters
Big Red
Nora Denney
Louise's Mom
Dina Ousley
Stage Manager's Date
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