American Hot Wax

Floyd Mutrux
1978-03-17

1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.
5.6
91 min

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.

Cast

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