Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #22 - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary5 min read

Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #22
Date: September 7, 2025
Theme:
This episode transports listeners to the jubilant heyday of American rock and roll radio, with Alan Freed hosting his famed Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party. It showcases live performances and recordings from prominent R&B and early rock artists – Big Maybelle, Jimmy Cavallo and the House Rockers, and The Moonglows – all backed by Sam "The Man" Taylor’s swinging band. The episode is energetic, interactive, and meant to get listeners moving in the living room, just as listeners did in the pre-television era.

Key Discussion Points & Performances

Introduction & Setting the Scene

[01:00] Alan Freed’s Welcome:
Alan Freed greets the audience with infectious enthusiasm, inviting everyone to put on their dancing shoes and join the "big beat in popular music in America." The show emanates from New York City, declared “the home of rock and roll.”

"Hi, everybody. How y'all get your dancing shoes on. And welcome to the rock and roll dance party. From New York City, the home of rock and roll, we welcome you to the big beat in popular music in America."
(Alan Freed, 01:05)

Jimmy Cavallo & The House Rockers

[01:30] "Rock, Rock, Rock, Everybody"
The band kicks off the music with an exuberant call-and-response tune that sets a participatory mood. The lyrics guide the audience through dancing, hopping, clapping, bumping – it’s all about joining in the fun.
- Listeners are encouraged to "grab your partner, grab your gal and rock, rock, rock," getting everyone involved in the show’s energy.
"You rock it and you rock it and you rock it around... hop, hop, hop, hop everybody... clap, clap, clap, clap everybody..."
(Jimmy Cavallo and House Rockers, 01:37)
[03:10] "Groovy Thing"
Jimmy Cavallo and the band play "Groovy Thing," singing about the different ways they can swing and make things "groovy," whether playing fast or slow, sweet or high.

"We might play fast. We might play slow. We might play sweet... What a wonderful thing to be able to swing when you ripping you ride."
(Jimmy Cavallo and House Rockers, 03:30)

Big Maybelle Performances

[04:00] "Ring Ding Dilly" & "You Upset Me Baby"
Big Maybelle’s arrival is marked by her dynamic presence and powerful vocals, performing signature tunes with playful, blues-infused phrasing.

"Hey, you upset me, baby... You got me out of my head. What you doing to me? I'm getting a little older. Just tell me that you love me. Please be mine."
(Big Maybelle, 04:20)
[05:45] "Candy"
She slows things down with "Candy," a tender love song where Maybelle's rich, emotive singing shines.

"I call my sugar Candy... Yes, he has taken my complete heart, and I got a sweet tooth and it's for my sweetheart."
(Big Maybelle, 06:00)

Instrumental Breaks

[06:50] Big Al Sears & Rock and Roll Band
Instrumental segment featuring Big Al Sears on saxophone, led by Sam "The Man" Taylor’s band, keeping the tempo lively and the vibe danceable.

The Moonglows: Vocal Group Excellence

[07:25] "Twelve Months Of The Year" & "When I'm With You"
Alan introduces The Moonglows, showcasing their signature blend of lush harmonies and smooth lead vocals.

"First it up. Then it sounds so fast. Never hits the ground. It goes up and down and up."
(The Moonglows, 07:35)
- The songs explore the ups and downs of romance, peppered with falsetto, doo-wop stylings, and sweet sentimentality.
  
  "When you said you'd be my baby, I thought your love was sincere. But that won't last a year."
  (The Moonglows, 08:10)
- Bobby Lester takes the lead for "When I'm With You," delivering an emotional ballad about the transformative power of love.
  
  "What makes my heart turn upside down? My go spinning, spinning – it only happens when I'm with you."
  (Bobby Lester with The Moonglows, 09:00)

Final Jam

[10:10] Sam "The Man" Taylor & Band
The show closes with the entire band cutting loose, continuing "the big beat in popular music," leaving the airwaves crackling with excitement.

"There you have it, folks. The big beat in popular music in America."
(Alan Freed, 10:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Alan Freed’s Dance Floor Rally:

"Grab your partner, grab your gal and rock, rock, rock, rock, rock, everybody!"
(Alan Freed, 01:45)
Maybelle's Bluesy Heartache:

"Hey, you upset me, baby... You got me out of my head."
(Big Maybelle, 04:24)
Gospel of Groove:

"What a wonderful thing to be able to swing when you ripping you ride."
(Jimmy Cavallo, 03:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

01:00 – Alan Freed's energetic introduction
01:30 – Jimmy Cavallo and the House Rockers: "Rock, Rock, Rock, Everybody"
03:10 – "Groovy Thing"
04:00 – Big Maybelle: "Ring Ding Dilly" & "You Upset Me Baby"
05:45 – Big Maybelle: "Candy"
06:50 – Big Al Sears and the Band: Instrumental
07:25 – The Moonglows take the stage
09:00 – Bobby Lester leads "When I'm With You"
10:10 – Show closes with a rocking instrumental jam

Tone and Atmosphere

The entire episode pulses with upbeat, communal energy – Alan Freed’s style is inclusive, exuberant, and celebratory. Seamless transitions between bands and songs keep the party going, and audience interaction is encouraged throughout. The show brims with the optimism and vitality of early rock and roll, creating an inviting time capsule for listeners.

Summary

Alan Freed’s Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party #22 perfectly encapsulates the spirit of mid-century American radio – lively, spontaneous, and designed to get everyone moving. Live performances from legends like Big Maybelle and The Moonglows, punctuated by Freed’s charismatic commentary and Sam Taylor’s powerhouse band, make this episode a joyful celebration of the roots of rock and roll. Perfect for anyone craving a dose of nostalgia and big beats from a golden age.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
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I'm here on the job site with Dale, who's a framing contractor. Hey, good morning. Dale traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for all his business vehicles. We're here where he needs us most. Yep, they sure are. We make it easy for him to save on all his insurance needs, all in one place with coverage that fits his business and bottom line. Oh, I shouldn't have looked down. It's all right. We're so far up here. Look at me. Take a deep breath. I'm good. So good. Get a commercial auto insurance quote today@geico.com and see how much you could save. Get more with geic. Hi, everybody. How y' all get your dancing shoes on. And welcome to the rock and roll dance party. From New York City, the home of rock and roll, we welcome you to the big beat in popular music in America. Now is sing of rock and roll with his orchestra, directed by Sam the Van Taylor, Alan Craig. Thank you, Burn Bennett. And welcome to our dance party featuring big May Bell, Jimmy Cavallo and the house rockers. And the moon glow. Here we go, Sam the Man Taylor and our big band and push, Jimmy Cavallo and the house rockers. And here they are with a final song. Grab your partner, grab your gal and rock, rock, rock, rock, rock, everybody. Rock, rock, rock, rock, everybody. Rock, rock, rock, rock everybody. You rock it and you rock it and you rock it around. Roll, roll, roll, everybody. Roll, roll, roll, everybody. Roll, roll, roll, roll everybody. You're rolling and you're rolling and you rol. Rock, everybody, roll, roll, roll, everybody. Rock, rock, rock everybody. You rock it and you rock it and you rock it around. Hop, hop, hop, hop everybody hop, hop, hop, hop everybody. Hop, hop, hop, hop everybody. You hopping and you hopping and you hopping around. Clap, clap, clap, clap everybody clap, clap, clap, clap everybody clap, clap, clap, clap everybody. You're clapping and you're clapping and you're clapping around. Rock, rock, rock, everybody ro. Ram Sam. You jumping and you jumping and you jumping around. Bump, bump, bump, bump Everybody bump, bump, bump, bump everybody bump, bump, bump, bump everybody. You bump it in, you bump it in, you bump it around. Everybody clap, clap, clap. Everybody bump, bump, bump everybody jump, jump, jump, everybody rock, rock, rock everybody. You rock it and you rock it and you rock it and rock. Don't you move an inch because Jimmy Cavallo and the house are coming right back with the groovy thing. A groovy. We might play fast. Play fast. We might play slow. We might play slow. We might play sweet. We might play sweet. We might play High we might play high board when we swing that's a groovy thing we might play loud we might play shark we might play sharp we might play weak we might play weak we might play strong that's groovy thing Watch, listen to me. What a wonderful thing to be able to swing when you ripping you ride. And now here comes Big May Bell to our microphone with Ring Ding Dilly Ring Ding Dilly minus Silly Silly and flying high as in his pie Here ain't Ding Daisy must be going faith Hel is the awake night hey, you upset me, baby. Hey, you got me out of my head. What you doing to me? I getting a little older. Just tell me that you love me Please be mine. Hey, you upset me, baby. Hey, just wait a minute. You got me out of my mouth. Hey, what's your knee, baby? Getting old. Tell me that you love me please Mind alive Big Maybelle has a big hit and here she is. Sing Candy, Candy I call my sugar Candy I'm sweet on candy and my candy's sweet on me. He understands me yes, my understanding Candy My candy's always handy Just when I need sympathy. Yes, and I wish the devil for him and I could have that much that much more of him yes, he has taken my complete heart and I got a sweet tooth and it's for my sweetheart he's gonna be just standing. Every day I take my candy and make you mine yes, mine, oh, mine yeah, mine oh mine Day that I will take my candy and make him mine. Oh my. Armed with our rock and roll dance party. Big Al Sears and our rock and roll band directed by Sam the Man Taylor. And I don't need lots. Big Al Sears rocking away with our big rock and roll band. And now one of America's top rock and roll vocal groups. Here are the Moon Blows and tune up Boxing soft and dancing. First it up. Then it sounds so fast. Never hits the ground. It goes up and down and up. Relaxing soft and whistle. When you said you'd be my baby. Well, when you said you'd be my baby. I thought your love was sincere. But that won't last a year. It goes up and down and up like something. It's a harmonicist fan. It's something I've been. Everything is fine. You done change your mind Every day we make a Everything is right. You want to start to fight? First black thinking man girl I ever had. Goes up, down and up. Humming and a kissing. Something I've been missing. Everything is fine. You done changed your mind. It's the day we make a well the day we break up Things going all right? You want to start the fight Turn up boxes always first glass penny man, you're the strangest girl I have a hat goes up, down and up I like and now Bobby Lester takes over the vocal lead chores with the moonglows as they sing. When I'm with you what makes my heart turn upside down My go spinning, spinning it only happens where with you the day has gone by and never, never dies it only happen when I With the room as time go by I don't mind self that I am living in a wonderland not that beautiful so when the tears fall from my eyes Then I realize it only happens when I With you it only happen when I Ray. And now, our big rock and roll band and Sam the man Taylor with Taylor. There you have it, folks. The big beat in popular music in America. Sam.