John Oakley had a guest on Tuesday, noting Nov. 21st marks 64 years since WABC New York fired legendary DJ Alan Freed, believed by many to be the first rock and roll disc jockey.

Freed was done in by the payola scandal and, after he found it difficult to find other jobs, drifted to stations in L.A. and Florida, but it was never the same.

He descended into alcoholism after he could no longer find a job. He died in 1965 at the age of just 43.

His life story is told in a series of timelines and pics on his own website. You can see it here.

Alan Freed and the Radio Payola Scandal