Alan Freed , the DJ credited with coining the term `` rock ' n ' roll , '' will be physically removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday . An urn with Freed 's ashes was taken from its spot at the Cleveland museum on Friday , and Freed 's son will pick up his father 's remains Monday , according to Executive Director Greg Harris . Lance Freed told CNN that the museum was being `` disrespectful '' to his father 's legacy as a pioneer of rock ' n ' roll , but Harris said Freed will continue to be `` very prominent '' in the hall . Harris disputed the Freed family 's description of the removal as an eviction , but according to the son , it is not a voluntary removal . Freed 's ashes are being ousted just days after the museum opened a Beyonce exhibit featuring the singer 's costumes , including the black leotards worn in her 2008 `` Single Ladies '' video . Freed started playing R & B records on his Cleveland radio show in 1951 , a time when stations that targeted white listeners ignored black artists . He called it `` rock ' n ' roll . '' His `` Moondog Coronation Ball '' at the Cleveland Arena in March 1956 is considered the first major rock concert . The rock ' n roll song that started it all . Freed put Cleveland on the music map and rock ' n ' roll on the radio . His connection to the city was a major reason the northeastern Ohio city was chosen as the home for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , both his son and Harris said . Freed was initially interred in New York , the city where he died at 43 in 1965 . His family moved his remains to Cleveland years later and then to the museum 12 years ago , Lance Freed said . `` I thought this was the last move , but then I got this call to move him , '' Freed said . `` He said , 'You 've got to come pick him up . ' `` It was not a rushed or unilateral decision , Harris said . `` The museum world is moving away from exhibiting remains '' since ashes do n't help tell a story , he said . `` Museum community colleagues across the country agree . '' Lance Freed said he believed his father 's exhibit is being downsized and moved to another area of the museum , but Harris said it is not being changed beyond removal of the gold urn . Harris suggested that Freed 's son might feel better about the move after he visits the museum Monday morning . `` We are conscious of his important role and will continue to honor him , '' Harris said . The museum 's radio studio is named for him , and there `` are many touch points '' in the hall that relate to Freed , he said . Freed 's role in breaking down racial barriers in U.S. pop culture in the 1950s , by leading white and black kids to listen to the same music , made put the radio personality `` at the vanguard '' and made him `` a really important figure , '' Harris said . Harris defended the ouster of Freed 's ashes coming at the same time that Beyonce 's leotards are welcomed into the hall of fame . `` Rock and roll is n't just about yesterday , '' he said . `` It continues to evolve , and we continue to embrace it and refine our operations . '' The Freed family will spend the next several weeks deciding where in Cleveland to take the urn , his son said . They want to `` create some sort of modest memorial where people who want to pay respect , or reflect , '' can visit , he said . `` I 'm a little bit emotional right now , because this is the third time I 'm moving my dad , '' he said . `` But hopefully it will be the last . '' Emotional night at Rock Hall of Fame Induction . The kings of the radio : All-time great DJs .
An urn with Freed 's ashes is moved from its spot at the Cleveland museum Friday . His son says the museum is `` disrespectful '' to his father 's legacy as a rock ' n ' roll pioneer . `` We are conscious of his important role and will continue to honor him , '' hall director says . Score: 6