I WANT TO SEARCH FOR

What was the Payola scandal, and how did it affect the music industry?

The bribes that rocked and rolled radio DJs

What was the Payola scandal, and how did it affect the music industry?
Anterior Seguinte

© Getty Images

Paul Bernhardt
12/05/2025 16:00 ‧ 1 week ago | StarsInsider

MUSIC

Entertainment

In 1960, the music industry was rocked to its core by the Payola scandal. Radio stations and disc jockeys, several of them national celebrities, were accused of accepting bribes in return for playing a popular hit record.

Payola emerged during the height of rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s, and was exposed when the United States Senate began investigating the illegal practice. This particular method of bribery is today supposed to be outlawed. But is it?

Click through the following gallery and find out how high fidelity corruption sent the music industry into a spin.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU