Bill Haley (& his Comets)

Classic Rockers

Biography

Born in Highland Park,Michigan, on July 6, 1925

Family had roots in the South and eventually settled in PA

Blind in one eye

Biography

Came from a musical family – mother played piano, father played mandolin.

Taught himself guitar at age 7

Began touring as a Country & Western artist at age 15

Music

Records “Rock This Joint” in 1952 with the Saddlemen

Writes “Rock-a-Beatin’-Boogie” for another group. Song is used by Alan Freed to open his radio show

Signs with Decca Records

Music – “Crazy Man Crazy”

“Crazy Man Crazy” sold more than a million copies and reached the top 20 in 1954

was the first rock and roll song to be televised nationally when it was used on the soundtrack for a 1953 television play starring James Dean

Music – “Rock Around the Clock”

“Rock Around the Clock” is recorded in 1954 but is not an instant hit

Song is used behind the opening credits of the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle. Spurred by the movie it reaches #1 and stays there for 8 weeks.

Music

Covers Big Joe Turner’s “Shake, Rattle & Roll” (#12), became the first ever rock 'n' roll song to enter British singles charts in December 1954

Charts in the top 20 in 1956 with “See You Later, Alligator” (#6)

Later Career

Declines in the U.S. but remains popular overseas

Attempts to start own record label

The Mexico Connection

Later Biography

Lived his last years in Harlingen, Texas.

Died alone February 9, 1981