Who wants to play rock 'n' roll detective?

[NightTrain]

I'm currently reading "Big Beat Heat," John A. Jackson's acclaimed biography of the legendary disc jockey Alan Freed. I'm currently up to the part where Freed leaves his popular nighttime rhythm and blues radio show on WJW in Cleveland to accept a lucrative position at New York's 50,000-watt juggernaut, WINS.

What follows are quotes from the book:

"On September 7, 1954, the day of Freed's New York broadcasting debut, WINS threw a gala cocktail party at the Belmont Plaza Hotel for fellow disc jockeys, record executives, and other music business figures. That evening Freed...was heard live in the city for the first time.

"'Hi everybody,' Freed began. 'This is your ol' Moondog here, with rhythm and blues records with the big beat in popular music in America today, for everyone out there in the Moondog Kingdom. Here it is, the number one rhythm and blues record in New York right now--Ruth Brown, Atlantic Records, "Oh, What A Dream!"'"

From a few paragraphs later:

"'And good luck to the PhiZeta Sorority on your dance, from Lucy Mangarelli of Mount Vernon, New York, Kenneth Cook of St. Albans... Connie, Jose, Slim, Mousie, and Tommy--here's Varetta Dillard, Savoy Records, "'Johnny Has Gone!"'"


Now folks, here's your chance to play rock 'n' roll detective:
Something in the above-quoted excerpt is historically inaccurate. Can you spot the factual error that John A. Jackson missed? Begin!

[xray s]

1. "Johnny is Gone"

"Soon after the tragic death of singer Johnny Ace on New Year's Eve 1954, Varetta records a tribute eulogy on Savoy called "Johnny Is Gone"."

Freed couldn't have played that song on Sept 7, 1954.

[NightTrain]

2. Very good!!!

Actually, though, Johnny Ace died on *Christmas* Eve 1954, not New Year's Eve. But you still win. Congratulations!!!

In fact, congratulations to me, too. This is my 1000th post! Woo-hoo!!! :party: :toast: :bounce: :beer: :thumbsup: :dem:

[xray s]

3. Christmas Eve? Oops! Just goest to show that...

...you can't trust everything you find in googledom!