EPISODE · Apr 8, 2026 · 4 MIN
Payola: How Cash Corrupted the Charts | The Kids History Podcast Inspired by Billy Joel
from History Ignited · host History Ignited
In this episode of History Ignited, we dive deep into the 1950s "Payola" scandal that rocked the airwaves and forever changed the radio industry. We explore how record labels bribed influential DJs—most notably Alan Freed—to play their tracks, the high-stakes Congressional hearings that followed, and the fallout that shifted power from the booth to the boardroom. Turn up the volume as we examine the lyric from Billy Joel’s "We Didn't Start the Fire" and uncover the era when the music wasn't just playing; it was being bought. Send us Fan MailAbout History Ignited: History Ignited is the award-winning kids and family history podcast inspired by Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire. Each short episode explores the real stories behind the people, events, inventions, and cultural moments that shaped the world from the 1950s through the 1980s. Winner of the 2025 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Kids & Family Podcast.
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In this episode of History Ignited, we dive deep into the 1950s "Payola" scandal that rocked the airwaves and forever changed the radio industry. We explore how record labels bribed influential DJs—most notably Alan Freed—to play their tracks, the high-stakes Congressional hearings that followed, and the fallout that shifted power from the booth to the boardroom. Turn up the volume as we examine the lyric from Billy Joel’s "We Didn't Start the Fire" and uncover the era when the music wasn't j...
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Payola: How Cash Corrupted the Charts | The Kids History Podcast Inspired by Billy Joel
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