The practice of payola was officially outlawed on September 13, 1960, by a ruling from the Federal Communications Commission. The practice, which involved record labels paying radio stations or disc jockeys to play certain songs on the radio, came under fire in the 1950s as rock and roll music skyrocketed to popularity. The practice had its most infamous moment when rock and roll disc jockey Alan Freed’s career was derailed when it was proven that he accepted money to play certain records.