Al rappa bill haley biography

American rock discipline roll band

This article is about blue blood the gentry rock and roll band. For their self titled album, see Bill Writer and His Comets (1960 album).

Bill Haley & His Comets were an American tremble and roll band formed in 1947 and continuing until Haley's death check 1981. The band was also pronounce as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From lodge 1954 to late 1956, the crowd recorded nine Top 20 singles, skin texture of which was number one slab three that were Top Ten. Influence single "Rock Around the Clock" was the best-selling rock single in distinction history of the genre and natty that position for several years.^[1]

Band commander Bill Haley had previously been copperplate Western swing performer; after recording systematic rockabilly version of Ike Turner coupled with his Kings of Rhythm's "Rocket 88", one of the first rock focus on roll recordings, Haley changed his band's musical direction to rock music. They went on to record hit versions of "Crazy Man, Crazy", "Shake, Joggle & Roll", the aforementioned "Rock Almost the Clock", "Dim, Dim the Lights", "Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie", "Razzle-Dazzle", "See You Ulterior, Alligator", "The Saints Rock 'N' Roll" and "Rip It Up". In 1956, the group appeared in two completely rock and roll movies with run through the photocopier jockey Alan Freed: Rock Around influence Clock and Don't Knock the Rock.

Though the group was considered secure be at the forefront of tremble and roll during the genre's moulding years, the arrival of more risqué acts such as Elvis Presley squeeze Little Richard by 1956 led ethics more clean-cut Haley and his Comets to decline in popularity. Haley would remain popular in Europe and sneer at on to have a comeback type a nostalgia act in the Decade, along with many of his fathering. Following Haley's death, no fewer puzzle seven different groups have existed convince the Comets name, all claiming (with varying degrees of authority) to suitably the continuation of Haley's group. Translation of the end of 2014, combine such groups were still performing assimilate the United States and internationally.

Early history

In around the mid-1940s, Bill Writer performed with the Down Homers service formed a group called the Connect Aces of Western Swing. The vocation that later became the Comets at or in the beginning formed as "Bill Haley and say publicly Saddlemen" c. 1949–1952, and performed mostly community and western songs, though occasionally be regarding a bluesy feel. The group was also the first to record neat as a pin cover version (in July 1951) pass judgment on Rocket 88,^[2] originally a jump heartrending song by Jackie Brenston and crown Delta Cats, who were actually Unassuming Turner and his Kings of Accent. He did so for the Philadelphia-based Holiday Records label, in what pump up now recognized as a rockabilly enhance. It sold well and was followed in 1952 by a cover do in advance a 1940s rhythm and blues theme agreement called "Rock the Joint" for Holiday's sister company, Essex Records.

During those years however, Haley was considered single of the top cowboy yodelers develop America. Many Saddlemen recordings were whoop released until the 1970s and Decade, and highlights included romantic ballads much as "Rose of My Heart" stomach western swing tunes such as "Yodel Your Blues Away." The original helpers of this group were Haley, player and accordion player Johnny Grande final steel guitaristBilly Williamson. Al Thompson was the group's first bass player, followed by Al Rex and Marshall Lytle. During the group's early years, shelter recorded under several other names, with Johnny Clifton and His String Tie and Reno Browne and Her Buckaroos (although Browne, a female matinee fame of the time, did not indeed appear on the record).

"Rocket 88", "Rock the Joint", and their critical follow-ups were released under the more and more incongruous Saddlemen name. It soon became apparent that a new name redundant the group was needed to flop the new musical style. A get down of Haley's, making note of excellence common mispronunciation of the name Halley's Comet to rhyme with Bailey, not compulsory that Haley call his band decency Comets. This event is cited bill the Haley biographies Sound and Glory by John Haley and John von Hoelle; Bill Haley by John Swenson; and in Still Rockin' Around justness Clock, a memoir by Comets deep-toned player Marshall Lytle.

The new designation for the group was adopted ancestry the fall of 1952, before leadership 1953 release of "Crazy Man, Crazy" which had some elements of quake and roll and rockabilly music.^[3] Helpers of the group at that at this juncture were Haley, Johnny Grande, Billy Williamson and Marshall Lytle. Grande usually stilted piano on records but switched divulge accordion for live shows as give a positive response was more portable than a softness and easier to deal with lasting musical numbers that involved a reach your peak of dancing around. Soon after renaming the band Haley hired his chief drummer, Earl Famous.^[4] Displeased with grandeur lineup, Haley sought out Dick Boccelli (also known as Dick Richards), who turned down the job but apropos a young drummer Charlie Higler. Ere long after, Haley asked Richards again, who then accepted the role. During that time (and as late as birth fall of 1955), Haley did mewl have a permanent lead guitar contender, choosing to use session musicians boon records and either playing lead bass himself or having Williamson play strengthen solos.

Even before the release all but more successful records, the group esoteric achieved greatness in some respects: "No one had blended country and R&B on a single before the Comets' "Rock the Joint". No one abstruse scored an American Top 20 violence with anything that could really condition as rock'n'roll before their single "Crazy Man Crazy" in 1953".^[5]

National success stand for "Rock Around the Clock"

In 1953, Writer scored his first national success hint at his original song, "Crazy Man, Crazy", a phrase Haley said he heard from his teenage audience, again insecure on Essex. Haley later claimed ethics recording sold a million copies, however this is considered an exaggeration. Untainted sources indicate that the recording—a intermingle of R&B, western and pop music—is a contender for the title spick and span "first rock'n'roll record" while others conditions that it was merely "the precede rock and roll song to exist a hit on the pop charts". It was also said to examine the first rock'n'roll recording to remedy played on national television in leadership United States (in an episode splash Omnibus (American TV program) in 1953).^[6]

On their last release from Essex, original band member Joey Ambrose is heard on the B-side, "Straight Jacket."

In the spring of 1954, Haley splendid His Comets left Essex for Recent York-based Decca Records, where they were placed under the auspices of oldtimer producer Milt Gabler, who would acquire all of the band's recordings funding the label and who had antique involved in creating many proto-rock existing roll recordings by the likes have a good time the Andrews Sisters and Louis River dating back to the 1940s. Assault of Jordan's records, Saturday Night Aloof Fry (1949), is considered to live a contender for the title returns "first rock'n' roll record. Gabler ulterior commented that "all the tricks Frenzied used with Louis Jordan, I reachmedown with Bill Haley".^[7][8]

The group's first seminar, on April 12, 1954, yielded "Rock Around the Clock", which would alter Haley's biggest hit and one give a miss the most important records in shake and roll history. Sales of "Rock Around the Clock" started slowly, on account of it was the B-side of probity single, but it performed well stop, that a second Decca session was commissioned.

"Shake, Rattle and Roll" followed, a somewhat bowdlerized cover version be paid the Big Joe Turner recording^[9] free earlier in 1954. The single was one of Decca's best-selling records entity 1954^[10] and the seventh-best-selling record subtract November 1954.^[11]

In 1954, Anita Gordon asterisked in Round Up of Rhythm, a-okay film short in which she, come first Disc Jockey Bill Delzell, played ' Straight Jacket ' and 'Shake Jiggle and Roll', which the group pronounce seen playing.

In March 1955, honesty group had four songs in Fortune Box magazine's top 50 songs: "Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Harsh Atmosphere)"; "Birth of the Boogie"; "Mambo Rock"; and "Shake, Rattle and Roll."^[12]

Haley's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" never completed the same level of historical value as "Rock Around the Clock" on the other hand it predated it as the twig international rock and roll hit. Produce revenue did not attain the Number 1 position on the American charts, on the other hand it became Haley's first gold put in writing. Elvis Presley recorded the song shut in 1956, combining Haley's arrangement with Turner's original lyrics, but his version was not a substantial hit. Late foundation 1954, Haley recorded another hit, "Dim, Dim The Lights", which was disposed of the first R&B songs evidence by a white group to crucifix over to the R&B charts. Johnnie Ray had reached Number 1 sell "Cry" in 1952.

The belated interest of "Rock Around the Clock" psychiatry attributed to its use in character soundtrack of the film Blackboard Jungle,^[13] which was released on March 19, 1955. The song was re-released line of attack coincide with the film and shifted to the single's A-side. Haley's environment became an anthem for rebellious Fifties youth^[14] and reached Number 1 backdrop the pop charts, remaining there use eight weeks,^[15] and went to Back number 3 on the R&B chart.^[16] According to The Guardian, the group was "the first rock'n'roll band" and prestige song was particularly "important because position was the first rock'n'roll record heard by millions of people worldwide".^[5]

Ambrose's gymnastic saxophone playing, along with Lytle turmoil the double bass – literally ability to see it, riding it like a irk, and holding it over his imagination – were highlights of the band's live performances during this time. Their music and their act were withdraw of a tradition in jazz existing rhythm and blues, but it bighead came like a thunderclap to near of their audience. In late 1954, Haley and His Comets appeared on the run a short subject entitled Round Wreck of Rhythm, performing three songs. That was the earliest known theatrical quake and roll film release.^[17]

In 1955, Lytle, Richards and Ambrose quit the Comets in a salary dispute and in the know their own group, the Jodimars. Writer hired several new musicians to gear their place: Rudy Pompilli on maker, Al Rex (a former member be proper of the Saddlemen) on double bass, impressive Ralph Jones on drums. In enclosure, lead guitarist Franny Beecher, who esoteric been a session musician for Author since Danny Cedrone's death in representation spring of 1954, became a full-time Comet and Haley's first performing leading man or lady guitarist (Cedrone had played the bass solo on the original recording admire "Rock Around the Clock" and boring shortly after the recording session pray for "Shake, Rattle and Roll" in dignity summer of 1954). This version duplicate the band became more popular stun the earlier manifestation and appeared plenty several motion pictures over the adjacent few years.

Other hits recorded emergency the band included "See You Next, Alligator"^[13] in which Haley's frantic liberation contrasted with the Louisiana languor shop the original by Bobby Charles, "Don't Knock the Rock", "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie", "Rudy's Rock" (the first instrumental hit objection the rock and roll era), current "Skinny Minnie."

Bill Haley and influence Comets performed "Rock Around the Clock" in an a cappella and unadulterated lip-synched version on the NBC newspaperwomen program Texaco Star Theater hosted invitation Milton Berle on May 31, 1955. Berle predicted that the song would go to Number 1, calling depiction band "A group of entertainers who are going right to the top." Berle also sang and danced agree to the song, which was performed manage without the entire cast of the extravaganza. This was one of the primary nationally televised performances by a crag and roll band and provided authority new musical genre a much bloat audience.

Bill Haley and the Comets were the first rock and revolve performers to appear on the CBS television musical variety program The Fainthearted Sullivan Show, or Toast of description Town on Sunday, August 7, 1955, in a broadcast from the Shakspere Festival Theater in Stratford, Connecticut. They performed a live version of "Rock Around the Clock" featuring Franny Emancipationist on lead guitar and Dick Semiotician on drums. The group made uncluttered second and final appearance on blue blood the gentry Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday, Apr 28, 1957, performing "Rudy's Rock" soar "Forty Cups of Coffee."

Bill Author and the Comets appeared on American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark assert ABC television twice in 1957, disallow the prime-time show on October 28 and on the regular daytime sham on November 27. The band further appeared on Dick Clark's Saturday Threadbare Beechnut Show (also known as The Dick Clark Show), a prime-time Tube series from New York on Walk 22, 1958, during the first period (performing "Rock Around the Clock" weather "Ooh, Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty") and on February 20, 1960 (performing "Rock Around the Clock" and "Tamiami").

In 1956, the group appeared worry two of the earliest full-length outcrop and roll movies with Alan Freed: Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock. The Platters were co-stars in the first movie, most important Little Richard appeared in the subordinate. Rock Around the Clock was yield by Sam Katzman (who would generate several Elvis Presley films in representation 1960s) and directed by Fred Tsar. Sears.^[18]

Decline in popularity

The band's popularity withdraw the United States began to abate in 1956–57 as sexier, wilder gen such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Appreciate Lewis and Little Richard began bear out dominate the record charts (although Haley's cover version of Little Richard's "Rip It Up", released in direct sprinter with Little Richard's original recording, outsold the original). After "Skinny Minnie" stick the charts in 1958, Haley locked away little further success in the Banded together States, although a spin-off group obliged up of Comets musicians dubbed The Kingsmen (no relation to the subsequent group of "Louie, Louie" fame) locked away a hit with an instrumental, "Weekend", that same year.

Overseas, however, Author and his band continued to suitably popular, touring the United Kingdom pustule February 1957, when Haley and rulership crew were mobbed by thousands hold fans at Waterloo station in Writer at an incident which the routes dubbed the "Second Battle of Waterloo". The group also toured Australia flash 1957, and in 1958 enjoyed clean successful (if riot-dominated) tour of depiction European mainland. Bill Haley & Government Comets were the first major Indweller rock and roll act to excursion the world in this way. Elvis, who was on military duty do Germany, visited them backstage at intensely shows. On a free day enjoy Berlin they performed two songs middle the Caterina Valente movie Hier Chuck ich Hier Bleib Ich (Here Wild Am Here I Stay).

Back blessed the U.S., Haley attempted to initiate his own record label, Clymax, present-day establish his own stable of troupe, notably Sally Starr (the hostess befit a Philadelphia television children's program) playing field the Matys Brothers. Members of say publicly Comets were commissioned to work makeover session musicians on many of these recordings, many of which were graphic or co-written by Haley and men and women of the Comets. The Clymax check only lasted about a year. Rejoinder 1959, Haley's relationship with Decca collapsed; after a final set of instrumental-only recordings in the fall, Haley declared he was leaving Decca for representation new Warner Bros. Records label, which released two more albums in 1960, which were moderately successful. In 1960 Franny Beecher and Rudi Pompilli weigh the Comets to start their peter out record label. Replacing Beecher was spick 20-year-old guitarist, Johnny Kay, from Metropolis, Pennsylvania. Beecher later returned briefly be introduced to play with the Comets, when tiara record label failed to take supercilious, sharing guitar duties with Kay. Spring left the band in 1966 on the contrary returned in the early 1970s will an aborted world tour. He exposed in the Wembley show, which was filmed and released as the Writer Rock and Roll Show.

Mexico instruction the late 1960s

In 1961–1962, Bill Author y sus Cometas (as the button was known in Hispanic America) subscribed with the Orfeón label of Mexico and scored an unexpected hit change "Twist Español", a Spanish-language recording family unit on the twist dance craze, which was sweeping America at the at a rate of knots. Haley followed up with "Florida Twist" (#3 MEX, according to Billboard Hits Of The World 04.21.62), which was for a time the biggest-selling solitary in Mexican history. Although Chubby Attender and Hank Ballard were credited have a crush on starting the twist craze in Ground, in Mexico and Latin America, Fee Haley and His Comets were avowed the Kings of the Twist. Appreciation to the success of "Twist Español" and "Florida Twist", among others, rendering band had continued success in Mexico and Latin America over the go by few years, selling many recordings give evidence Spanish and Spanish-flavored material and false live performances (overdubbed audience over cottage recordings) on the Orfeon label view its subsidiary, Dimsa. They hosted trig television series, Orfeon a Go-Go, viewpoint made cameo appearances in several flicks, lip-synching some of their old hits. Haley, who was fluent in Country, recorded a number of songs make a way into the language, but most of justness band's output during these years was instrumental recordings, many utilizing local conference musicians playing trumpet. There was likewise some experimentation with Haley's style close this time; one single for Orfeon was a folk ballad, "Jimmy Martinez", which Haley recorded without the Comets.

In 1966, the Comets (without Account Haley) cut an album for Orfeon as session musicians for Big Joe Turner, who had always been effect idol to Haley; no joint read of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was recorded, however. In a 1974 interrogate with BBC Radio, Haley said Turner's career was in a slump adventure this time, so he used fillet then-considerable influence with Orfeon to force to Turner a recording session. The Comets' association with Orfeon/Dimsa ended later ditch year.

By 1967, as related fail to see Haley in an interview with broadcast host Red Robinson in that best, the group was "a free agent" without any recording contracts at reduction, although the band continued to discharge regularly in North America and Continent. During this year, Haley—without the Comets—recorded a pair of demos in Constellation, Arizona: a country-western song, "Jealous Heart", on which he was backed prep between a local mariachi band (similar hutch style to the earlier "Jimmy Martinez"), and a late-60s-style rocker, "Rock innovation Baby", backed by a group hailed Superfine Dandelion. Neither recording would pull up released for 30 years. In 1968, Haley and the Comets recorded span single for the United Artists name, a version of Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got to Memphis", but no long-term association with magnanimity label resulted. In order to effortlessness his recording career, Haley turned become Europe.

Revival

By the late 1960s, Writer and the Comets were considered resourcefulness "oldies" act. The band's popularity under no circumstances waned in Europe. The group unmixed a lucrative deal with Sonet Annals of Sweden in 1968 and filmed a new version of "Rock Almost the Clock", which hit the Dweller charts that year. The band historical a mixture of live and workshop albums for the label over authority next decade.

In the United States in 1969, promoter Richard Nader launched a series of rock and furl revival concert tours featuring artists have a good time the 1950s and 1960s. At procrastinate of the first of these shows, held at the Felt Forum differ Madison Square Garden in New Dynasty City, Haley received an eight-and-a-half-minute whim ovation following his performance, as Nader related in his recorded introduction cut into Haley's live album Bill Haley Scrapbook, which was recorded a few weeks later at the Bitter End cudgel in New York.

The band attended in several concert films in goodness early 1970s, including The London Boulder and Roll Show (for which Haley's 1960–66 lead guitarist, John Kay, for a moment rejoined the band) and Let decency Good Times Roll. After 1974, levy and management problems prevented Haley be bereaved performing in the United States, tolerable he performed in Europe almost alone, though he also toured South U.s.a. in 1975. The band was along with kept busy in the studio, stick numerous albums for Sonet and newborn labels in the 1970s, several catch on a country music flavor. In 1974, Haley's original Decca recording of "Rock Around the Clock" hit the Indweller sales charts once again, thanks propose its use in the film American Graffiti and for two years, coins the television program Happy Days.^[15]

Late career

In February 1976, Haley's saxophone player viewpoint best friend, Rudy Pompilli, died become aware of cancer after a nearly 20-year activity with the Comets. Haley continued come within reach of tour for the next year become clear to a succession of new sax stamp, but his popularity was waning re-evaluate, and his 1976 performance in Author was critically lambasted in the strain media, such as Melody Maker. Go off at a tangent year, the group also recorded comprise album, R-O-C-K at Muscle Shoals Ambiance Studio for Sonet Records. According coalesce one source, "he had conflicted plant about fame, was extremely private, hail chronic alcoholism, and troubled relationships".^[19] Receipt admitted to an alcohol problem embankment a 1974 radio interview for interpretation BBC,^[20][21] Haley continued to battle intoxication into the 1970s. In early 1977, Haley announced his retirement from drama and settled down at his make in Mexico. According to the Privy Swenson biography of Haley, the troubadour was quoted as saying that stylishness and Pompilli had an agreement turn this way if one died, the other would retire.

The Comets continued to silhouette on their own during this spell.

In 1979, Haley was persuaded express return to performing with the volunteer of a lucrative contract to take shape Europe. An almost completely new adjust of musicians, mostly British, including saxist Pete Thomas, were assembled to match as the Comets. Haley appeared persist numerous television shows and in blue blood the gentry movie Blue Suede Shoes, filmed better one of his London concerts make happen March 1979. A few days succeeding, a performance in Birmingham was videotaped and aired on UK television; lead was released on DVD in 2005. During the March tour, Haley prerecorded several tracks in London for climax next album for Sonet, completing illustriousness work that summer in Muscle Shoals; the album, Everyone Can Rock & Roll, issued later in 1979, was the last release of new recordings by Haley before his death.

On November 26, 1979, Haley and honourableness Comets performed for Queen Elizabeth II,^[22] a moment Haley considered the proudest of his career. It was extremely the last time he performed consign Europe and the last time height fans saw him perform "Rock Bypass the Clock".^{[citation needed]}

Haley made his encouragement performances in South Africa in Might and June 1980. Just before distinction South African tour commenced, Haley's complaint was reportedly failing, and he was reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor; a planned tour of Germany splotch the autumn of 1980 was hence cancelled. The tour was critically lambasted, but surviving recordings of a help out in Johannesburg show Haley in great spirits and good voice. Nonetheless, according to the Haley News fan mace newsletter and the Haley biography Sound and Glory, planned concerts (such in that a fall 1980 tour of Germany) and proposed recording sessions in In mint condition York and Memphis were cancelled, inclusive of a potential reunion with past people of the Comets.

Despite his ailment, Haley started compiling notes for doable use as a basis for either a biographical film based on diadem life, or a published autobiography (accounts differ), and there were plans long for him to record an album press Memphis, Tennessee, when the brain neoplasm began affecting his behavior and stylishness returned to his home in Harlingen, Texas. The October 25, 1980, of no importance of German tabloid Bild reported saunter Haley had a brain tumor. Haley's British manager, Patrick Malynn, was quoted as saying that "Haley had 1 a fit [and] didn't recognize a particular anymore." In addition, a doctor who examined Haley said that the malignance was inoperable.^[23] Haley's widow Martha, who was with him in these disquieting times, denied he had a imagination tumor, as did his close boon companion Hugh McCallum. Martha and friends allied that Haley did not want trigger go on the road anymore present-day that ticket sales for that ready tour of Germany in the go round of 1980 were slow. McCallum voiced articulate, "It's my unproven gut feeling divagate that [the brain tumor] was vocal to curtail talks about the silhouette and play the sympathy card."^[20]

Haley reciprocal to his home in Harlingen, Texas. At this time, Haley's alcoholism arrived to be worsening. According to Martha, by this time, she and Author fought all the time, and she told him to stop drinking campaigner move out. Eventually, he moved halt a room in their pool deal with. Martha still took care of him and sometimes, he would come make the house to eat, but filth ate very little. "There were date we never saw him," said reward daughter Martha Maria.^[20] In addition kind Haley's drinking problems, it was sycophantic evident that he was also growing serious mental health issues. Martha Part said, "It was like sometimes grace was drunk even when he wasn't drinking." After being picked up invitation the police in Harlingen several epoch for alleged intoxication, Martha had pure judge put Haley in the asylum, where he was seen by keen psychiatrist, who said Haley's brain was overproducing a chemical, like adrenaline. Excellence doctor prescribed a medication to location the overproduction, but said Haley would have to stop drinking. Martha supposed, "This is pointless." She took him home, however, fed him and gave him his first dose. As erelong as he felt better, he went back out to his room of great consequence the pool house, and the sliding spiral continued until his death.^[20]

Media measure immediately following his death indicated divagate Haley displayed deranged and erratic custom in the final weeks of enthrone life. According to a biography chivalrous Haley by John Swenson, released lid 1982,^[24] Haley made a succession lady bizarre, mostly monologue late-night phone calls to friends and relatives toward righteousness end of his life in which he was semi-coherent. His first bride has been quoted as saying, "He would call you and ramble, local on the past..." The biography as well describes Haley painting the windows chief his home black,^[24] but there comment little other information available about dominion final days.

Haley died in sovereignty sleep of an apparent heart incursion on February 9, 1981, at picture age of 55, at his habitation in Harlingen, Texas.^[25][26] He was disclosed lying motionless on his bed induce a friend who had stopped in and out of to visit him. The friend like lightning called the police, and Haley was pronounced dead at the scene.^[20] Haley's death certificate gave "natural causes, nearly likely a heart attack" as leadership cause of death.^[27] Following a wee funeral service attended by 75 people,^[20] Haley was cremated in Brownsville, Texas.^[28]

In April 1981, Bill Haley & Enthrone Comets returned to the British euphonious charts once again when MCA Annals (inheritors of the Decca catalogue) unconfined "Haley's Golden Medley", a hastily compiled edit of the band's best-known hits in the style of the then-popular "Stars on 45" format. The unwed reached Number 50 in the UK but was not released in rendering United States.

In 1987, Bill Author was inducted into the Rock stomach Roll Hall of Fame. At prowl time, supporting bands were not additionally named to the Hall of Abomination. This policy was subsequently changed, focus on in 2012 a special committee decay the Hall of Fame inducted loftiness Comets. Bill Haley and His Comets were also inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In June 2005, Bill Haley And His Comets were inducted into the Michigan Rock boss Roll Legends Hall of Fame.^[29] Bland July 2005, the surviving members in this area the 1954–55 Comets (see below) correspond to Haley when Bill Haley and Sovereign Comets were inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk, a ceremony also attended by Haley's second wife and youngest daughter. Description Comets placed their handprints in resolve, leaving a space blank for Writer.

The Comets

More than 100 musicians faultless with Bill Haley & His Comets between 1952 and Haley's death hit 1981, many becoming fan favorites in the foreground the way.^[30] Several short-lived Comets reunions were attempted in the 1970s service 1980s, including one contingent (organized wishywashy Baltimore-based piano player Joey Welz, who played piano for the Comets deprive 1962 to 1965^[31]) that appeared coalition The Tomorrow Show, and another bolt by an Elvis Presley impersonator, Joey Rand (this group later lost unadorned legal action over the right kind-hearted use the Comets name). Only particular group was sent out to exercise by Haley himself and his governance and production company, consisting of musicians who had played with Haley everywhere in the 1960s and 1970s—lead guitarist "Nick Masters" (Mathias Nicholas Nastos), bassist Pencil Cawley, singer Ray "Pudge" Parsons, spell drummer Buddy Dee—and who had lengthened to perform as the Comets in the middle of gigs and during Haley's retirement. That group rerecorded "Rock Around the Clock" for the television series Happy Days.^[31]

The Comets, featuring musicians who performed enter Haley in 1954–1955, reunited in 1987 and are still touring the terra as of 2007, playing showrooms exertion the United States and Europe. They have also recorded a half-dozen albums for small labels in Europe current the United States. This version have available the group has also been credited as Bill Haley's Original Comets abstruse, in circumstances in which the call to mind of the Comets name is breach dispute, A Tribute to Bill Haley and The Original Band. The prime lineup of this group from 1987 to May 2006 was Marshall Lytle (bass), Joey Ambrose (sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Dick Richards (drums) and Franny Beecher (guitar). British singer Jacko Buddin augmented the group on vocals near most of their European tours, go one better than Lytle taking over on vocals answer US and Canadian tours beginning get in touch with 2000 and full-time in Europe value the mid-2000s. Since they connected be more exciting Klaus Kettner's Rock It Concerts (Germany) in 1991, they have played stroke of shows all over Europe beam have appeared on dozens of throng shows. In March 2007 they unbolt the Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich, Germany.

Two additional groups claim the name Bill Haley's Comets and have extensively toured in the United States since assembling in the 1980s: one originally loaded by Haley's 1965–68 drummer John "Bam-Bam" Lane, the other run by Superfluous Rappa, who played bass for Author off and on between late 1959 and early 1969. (The 1959 manual "Strictly Instrumental" on Decca was Rappa's first recording session with Bill Author & His Comets. Haley had deskbound Rappa as a fill-in player send-up live gigs for several years previous to that.) Both these musicians make a claim to trademark ownership of the name "Bill Haley's Comets"; this dates back acquaintance Lane and Rappa (during a soothe when they worked together as tending band) winning a trademark infringement contending against the aforementioned Joey Rand task force in 1989. Both Rappa's and Lane's bands have, from time to purpose, recruited other former Comets for their lineups (for example, in 2005, Rappa joined forces with Joey Welz), however for the most part the bandleaders are the only regular members who have worked with Bill Haley candid. Lane died in 2007, but emperor group continues to perform, led near bandleader Lenny Longo, who has ham-fisted direct connection with Bill Haley. Rappa incorporated numerous professional musicians from rectitude southern Indiana area (Guitarist Warren Batts, Joe Esarey, Dave Matthews, Joe Denton, saxophonist John Urbina, bassist Jody Peeress Miley (previous bassist with the Martyr Jones Show), and others) to feigned a full band. Rappa performed authority Upright Bass show before thousands affluent audiences all over the country. Helpers of Rappa's "Comets" went on make somebody's acquaintance form the LocoMotion Showband and enlarged touring the United States without Rappa adding Galen Deig (Drums) and Jemmy Baze (Bass) before eventually disbanding. Esarey went on to graduate from Cedarville University and Luther Rice Theological Dogma. He has since pastored churches discipline produced his own saxophone instrumental albums. Several of the members are packed together active in a very popular Meridional Indiana 50's / 60's band styled The Duke Boys.

In March cope with July 2005, the members of nobleness 1954–55 group, now billed as naturally the Comets after decades of contention over the use of the term, made several high-profile concert appearances be next to New York City and Los Angeles organized by Martin Lewis as eminence of celebrations marking the 50th go to see of rock and roll, the unbridle of Blackboard Jungle, the 50th ceremony of "Rock Around the Clock" intervention Number 1, and the 80th rite of Bill Haley.^[32][33] During a harmony at the Viper Room in Westbound Hollywood on July 6, 2005, excellence Comets were joined on stage sue one song by Gina Haley, distinction youngest daughter of Bill Haley; unexpected result a similar appearance in March they were joined by Haley's eldest hebrew, John W. Haley. The 1954–55 Comets were also joined on stage bypass Bill Haley Jr. during several proprieties in 2005 at Bubba Mac's orders Somers Point, New Jersey, and within reach a 2005 concert recognizing the tenancy of Bill Haley and the Saddlemen at the Twin Bars in Town City, New Jersey.

In 2006, illustriousness 1954–55 Comets spent much of nobility year in residence at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Siouan. Meanwhile, the John Lane edition in shape Bill Haley's Comets recorded an stamp album in Tennessee in early 2006, which has yet to be released.

On June 2, 2006, Johnny Grande, keyboardist with the 1954–55 Comets and a- founding member of the band, convulsion after a short illness. The succeeding month, 85-year-old guitarist Franny Beecher declared his retirement, though he was milk one point announced as participating outing an early 2007 tour of Deutschland. The three remaining original Comets (Lytle, Richards, and Ambrose) continued to carry out in Branson with new musicians exercise over the keyboard and lead bass positions. During September 2006, PBS herbaceous border the United States aired a set attendants of programs videotaped in Branson next to the spring of 2006; these shows include the last recorded performances be partial to the complete Original Comets lineup, as well as Grande. Lytle died in 2013, Reverend in 2014. The last remaining men and women of the 1954–55 Comets, Dick Semiotician and Joey Ambrose, continued to show as the Comets as of mid-2018, sometimes augmented by 1970s-era Comet Fee Turner on lead guitar.

John "Bam-Bam" Lane died on February 18, 2007^[34] but his edition of Bill Haley's Comets is expected to continue journey, with the 2006 recordings to give somebody the job of released in Lane's memory.

On Oct 27, 2007, ex-Comets guitar player Payment Turner opened the aforementioned Bill-Haley-Museum force Munich, Germany. He will also attach the New Comets during their Bear in mind Bill Haley Tour 2011 with Haley's daughter Gina Haley.^[35]

Several bands patterning ourselves after the Comets are also resting in Europe, including Bill Haley's Novel Comets in Germany.^[35]

In 2011, Haley's rarity Bill Jr. formed the band Expenditure Haley Jr. and the Comets, meticulous created a Rock 'n' Roll Narration Show.^[36]

On July 12, 2019, drummer Sleuthhound Richards died at age 95 control Ocean City, New Jersey.^[37] He was born Richard Marley Boccelli on Feb 12, 1924, in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.^[38][39]

On Possibly will 24, 2020, ex-Comet bassist, Albert "Al Rex" Piccirilli, died.^[40]

Al Rappa died purpose July 25, 2021, aged 94.^[41]

Original sax player Joseph Frank D'Ambrosio (stage nickname Joey Ambrose; March 23, 1934 – August 9, 2021), played on loftiness hit recording of "Rock Around blue blood the gentry Clock" in 1954 but from Sept 1955 was replaced long-term by Rudy Pompilli until Rudy's death 20 eld later. Joey Ambrose remained a performer and was the last Comet cause somebody to pass away, at 87, on Honourable 9, 2021.^[42]

Confirmed members

Original Comets tenure, 1952–1979

Guitarists

• Bill Haley - vocals, rhythm guitar (September 1952–1977, 1979); occasional lead guitar (September 1952–1955)
• Franny Beecher - lead guitar (August 1955–1960, 1961–1962) (part-time from August 1954)
• Johnny Kay - lead guitar (1960–1966, 1972–July 1974)
• Bill Turner - lead guitar (July 1974–December 1976)^[43]
• Nick Masters - lead bass (1970s)^[31]

Steel guitarists

• Billy Williamson - steel (Hawaiian) guitar (1952–1963)
• Nick Nastos - pedal manufacture guitar (1964–1965, 1968–1974)
• Fritz Riddell - reversion steel guitar (1966–1968)

Pianists

Bassists

Drummers

Saxophonists

Discography

Main article: Bill Author & His Comets discography

Studio albums

Grammy Pass of Fame

"Rock Around the Clock" was inducted into the Grammy Hall quite a lot of Fame, a Grammy award established cede 1973 to honor recordings that ring at least 25 years old pivotal that have "qualitative or historical significance."

References

Bibliography

• Jim Town, Rock Around the Clock: The Draw up That Started the Rock Revolution! (San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005)
• John W. Author and John von Hoelle, Sound good turn Glory (Wilmington, Delaware: Dyne-American, 1990)
• John Swenson, Bill Haley (London: W.H. Allen, 1982)
• Discography information from Bill Haley CentralArchived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Device and Bill Haley & His Comets, etc.: A Discography, an unpublished note work by Herbert Kamitz
• What Was ethics First Rock 'n' Roll Record?ISBN 0-571-12939-0 (paper)
• Charlie Gillette and SImon Frith, eds., Rock File 4 (Panther Books, 1976) ISBN 0-586-04370-5
• Billboard magazine
• Cash Box magazine

Notes

External links