Historical Events tagged with "payola"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Entertainment

NAB's Reaction to the Payola Scandal

January 25th, 1960 65 years ago

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) took a firm stand against the burgeoning payola scandal in the music industry, which had gained significant media attention and public concern. In a move to restore integrity to the airwaves, the NAB announced punitive measures, including threats of fines directed at disc jockeys who engaged in the practice of accepting money or incentives in exchange for playing specific records. This initiative marked a significant step in the effort to regulate radio broadcasting and to uphold ethical standards within the industry.

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Entertainment

Alan Freed Fired from WABC Radio

November 21st, 1959 65 years ago

Alan Freed, the influential disc jockey who popularized the term 'rock and roll', was dismissed from WABC radio amid allegations related to the payola scandal. This scandal involved claims that he accepted payments to play specific records, undermining the ethics of radio broadcasting. Freed's dismissal marked a significant moment in the music industry, as his role was pivotal in the rise of rock and roll music in the 1950s, influencing countless artists and shaping the genre's future.

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