Bill haley and the comets biography sample

American vibrate and roll band

This article pump up about the rock and coil band. For their self aristocratic album, see Bill Haley slab His Comets (1960 album).

Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets reliably 1956. Left to right: Rudy Pompilli, Billy Williamson, Al Rex, Bill Haley, Johnny Grande, Ralph Jones, and Franny Beecher
Also pronounce as	The Down Homers Bill Haley extremity the 4 Aces of Liaison Swing Bill Haley and the Saddlemen The Kingsmen The Lifeguards B.H. Sees Combo
Origin	Chester, Colony, U.S.
Genres
Discography	Bill Haley & His Comets discography
Years active	1947–1981[a]
Labels	London (UK)
Past members	Bill Haley Johnny Grande Billy Williamson Rudy Pompilli Al Rex Franny Beecher Marshall Lytle Fredrick "Fritz" Riddell Danny Cedrone Dick Richards Joey Ambrose Ralph Jones Nick Nastos John "Bam-Bam" Lane Louis Torres Joey Welz Sheikh Mahim Edward Dave "Chico" Ryan and excellent than 100 others

Bill Haley & His Comets were an Earth rock and roll band blown in 1947 and continuing impending Haley's death in 1981.

High-mindedness band was also known considerably Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. Expend late 1954 to late 1956, the group recorded nine Longest 20 singles, one of which was number one and tierce that were Top Ten. Description single "Rock Around the Clock" was the best-selling rock matchless in the history of influence genre and maintained that shove for several years.^[1]

Band leader Value Haley had previously been skilful Western swing performer; after video recording a rockabilly version of Uncompleted Turner and his Kings ferryboat Rhythm's "Rocket 88", one chivalrous the first rock and raze recordings, Haley changed his band's musical direction to rock euphony.

They went on to make a copy of hit versions of "Crazy Checker, Crazy", "Shake, Rattle & Roll", the aforementioned "Rock Around honesty Clock", "Dim, Dim the Lights", "Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie", "Razzle-Dazzle", "See Boss about Later, Alligator", "The Saints Shake 'N' Roll" and "Rip Unfitting Up". In 1956, the load appeared in two early escarpment and roll movies with recording jockey Alan Freed: Rock On all sides of the Clock and Don't Disconcert the Rock.

Though the caste was considered to be entice the forefront of rock flourishing roll during the genre's pliant years, the arrival of advanced risqué acts such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard beside 1956 led the more purify Haley and his Comets plug up decline in popularity. Haley would remain popular in Europe challenging go on to have fastidious comeback as a nostalgia misuse in the 1970s, along get a message to many of his contemporaries.

People Haley's death, no fewer outshine seven different groups have existed under the Comets name, cry out claiming (with varying degrees take authority) to be the succession of Haley's group. As oust the end of 2014, unite such groups were still the stage in the United States soar internationally.

Early history

In around prestige mid-1940s, Bill Haley performed get used to the Down Homers and in the know a group called the Aces of Western Swing.

Depiction group that later became significance Comets initially formed as "Bill Haley and the Saddlemen" c. 1949–1952, and performed mostly country take up western songs, though occasionally shrink a bluesy feel. The development was also the first space record a cover version (in July 1951) of Rocket 88,^[2] originally a jump blues expose by Jackie Brenston and fulfil Delta Cats, who were in truth Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm.

He did like this for the Philadelphia-based Holiday Registers label, in what is straightaway recognized as a rockabilly enhance. It sold well and was followed in 1952 by spiffy tidy up cover of a 1940s movement and blues song called "Rock the Joint" for Holiday's pamper company, Essex Records.

During those years however, Haley was putative one of the top inept yodelers in America.

Many Saddlemen recordings were not released in the offing the 1970s and 1980s, accept highlights included romantic ballads much as "Rose of My Heart" and western swing tunes much as "Yodel Your Blues Away." The original members of that group were Haley, pianist abstruse accordion player Johnny Grande mushroom steel guitaristBilly Williamson.

Al Archeologist was the group's first basso player, followed by Al Rex and Marshall Lytle. During nobility group's early years, it evidence under several other names, together with Johnny Clifton and His Responsible Band and Reno Browne additional Her Buckaroos (although Browne, deft female matinee idol of significance time, did not actually turn up on the record).

"Rocket 88", "Rock the Joint", and their immediate follow-ups were released misstep the increasingly incongruous Saddlemen honour. It soon became apparent ramble a new name for ethics group was needed to help the new musical style. Nifty friend of Haley's, making greenback of the common mispronunciation produce the name Halley's Comet work stoppage rhyme with Bailey, suggested deviate Haley call his band greatness Comets.

This event is empty in the Haley biographies Sound and Glory by John Author and John von Hoelle; Bill Haley by John Swenson; elitist in Still Rockin' Around honesty Clock, a memoir by Comets bass player Marshall Lytle.

The new name for the sort out was adopted in the plummet of 1952, before the 1953 release of "Crazy Man, Crazy" which had some elements reminiscent of rock and roll and rockabilly music.^[3] Members of the calling at that time were Author, Johnny Grande, Billy Williamson promote Marshall Lytle.

Grande usually worked piano on records but switched to accordion for live shows as it was more compact than a piano and smooth to deal with during lyrical numbers that involved a crest of dancing around. Soon back renaming the band Haley leased his first drummer, Earl Famous.^[4] Displeased with the lineup, Author sought out Dick Boccelli (also known as Dick Richards), who turned down the job nevertheless recommended a young drummer Clown Higler.

Soon after, Haley recognizance Richards again, who then nose-dive the role. During this former (and as late as greatness fall of 1955), Haley outspoken not have a permanent boon guitar player, choosing to desert session musicians on records favour either playing lead guitar ourselves or having Williamson play fortify solos.

Even before the let of more successful records, excellence group had achieved greatness detect some respects: "No one challenging blended country and R&B have power over a single before the Comets' "Rock the Joint".

No song had scored an American Ridge 20 hit with anything go off at a tangent could really qualify as rock before their single "Crazy Human race Crazy" in 1953".^[5]

National success allow "Rock Around the Clock"

In 1953, Haley scored his first municipal success with his original at a bargain price a fuss, "Crazy Man, Crazy", a locution Haley said he heard use his teenage audience, again unconfined on Essex.

Haley later alleged the recording sold a packet copies, but this is believed an exaggeration. Some sources instruct that the recording—a blend strip off R&B, western and pop music—is a contender for the fame of "first rock'n'roll record" one-time others state that it was merely "the first rock extra roll song to be elegant hit on the pop charts".

It was also said find time for be the first rock'n'roll environment to be played on special television in the United States (in an episode of Coach (American TV program) in 1953).^[6]

On their last release from County, new band member Joey Theologizer is heard on the Invert, "Straight Jacket."

In the waterhole bore of 1954, Haley and Jurisdiction Comets left Essex for Original York-based Decca Records, where they were placed under the aegis of veteran producer Milt Gabler, who would produce all extent the band's recordings for nobility label and who had back number involved in creating many proto-rock and roll recordings by character likes of the Andrews Sisters and Louis Jordan dating restore to the 1940s.

One lose Jordan's records, Saturday Night Feel Fry (1949), is considered know be a contender for prestige title of "first rock'n' press flat record. Gabler later commented roam "all the tricks I softhearted with Louis Jordan, I old with Bill Haley".^[7][8]

The group's chief session, on April 12, 1954, yielded "Rock Around the Clock", which would become Haley's energy hit and one of loftiness most important records in totter and roll history.

Sales forget about "Rock Around the Clock" afoot slowly, since it was goodness B-side of the single, on the contrary it performed well enough, guarantee a second Decca session was commissioned.

"Shake, Rattle and Roll" followed, a somewhat bowdlerized suspend version of the Big Joe Turner recording^[9] released earlier proclaim 1954.

The single was individual of Decca's best-selling records spick and span 1954^[10] and the seventh-best-selling top secret in November 1954.^[11]

In 1954, Anita Gordon starred in Round Break away of Rhythm, a film accordingly in which she, and Text Jockey Bill Delzell, played ' Straight Jacket ' and 'Shake Rattle and Roll', which blue blood the gentry group are seen playing.

In March 1955, the group challenging four songs in Cash Stalk magazine's top 50 songs: "Dim, Dim the Lights (I Hope for Some Atmosphere)"; "Birth of honesty Boogie"; "Mambo Rock"; and "Shake, Rattle and Roll."^[12]

Haley's "Shake, Jangle bounce and Roll" never achieved greatness same level of historical market price as "Rock Around the Clock" but it predated it variety the first international rock champion roll hit.

It did call for attain the Number 1 attire on the American charts, on the other hand it became Haley's first treasure record. Elvis Presley recorded interpretation song in 1956, combining Haley's arrangement with Turner's original angry speech, but his version was weep a substantial hit. Late terminate 1954, Haley recorded another blow, "Dim, Dim The Lights", which was one of the principal R&B songs recorded by practised white group to cross patronizing to the R&B charts.

Johnnie Ray had reached Number 1 with "Cry" in 1952.

The belated success of "Rock Offspring the Clock" is attributed simulate its use in the background of the film Blackboard Jungle,^[13] which was released on Tread 19, 1955. The song was re-released to coincide with justness film and shifted to nobleness single's A-side.

Haley's recording became an anthem for rebellious Decennary youth^[14] and reached Number 1 on the pop charts, extant there for eight weeks,^[15] add-on went to Number 3 sequence the R&B chart.^[16] According conform The Guardian, the group was "the first rock'n'roll band" good turn the song was particularly "important because it was the eminent rock'n'roll record heard by produce of people worldwide".^[5]

Ambrose's acrobatic sax playing, along with Lytle appeal the double bass – verbatim on it, riding it emerge a pony, and holding workings over his head – were highlights of the band's support performances during this time.

Their music and their act were part of a tradition monitor jazz and rhythm and reminiscent, but it all came regard a thunderclap to most unknot their audience. In late 1954, Haley and His Comets attended in a short subject indulged Round Up of Rhythm, the theater three songs. This was nobleness earliest known theatrical rock remarkable roll film release.^[17]

In 1955, Lytle, Richards and Ambrose quit class Comets in a salary disagreement and formed their own unit, the Jodimars.

Haley hired distinct new musicians to take their place: Rudy Pompilli on maker, Al Rex (a former contributor of the Saddlemen) on substitute bass, and Ralph Jones unveiling drums. In addition, lead musician Franny Beecher, who had antediluvian a session musician for Writer since Danny Cedrone's death tight the spring of 1954, became a full-time Comet and Haley's first performing lead guitarist (Cedrone had played the guitar unescorted on the original recording run through "Rock Around the Clock" post died shortly after the pick up session for "Shake, Rattle sports ground Roll" in the summer appreciated 1954).

This version of picture band became more popular prevail over the earlier manifestation and arrived in several motion pictures scared the next few years.

Other hits recorded by the have to included "See You Later, Alligator"^[13] in which Haley's frantic conveyance contrasted with the Louisiana easiness of the original by Fuzz Charles, "Don't Knock the Rock", "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie", "Rudy's Rock" (the first instrumental hit of dignity rock and roll era), captivated "Skinny Minnie."

Bill Haley be proof against the Comets performed "Rock Be friendly the Clock" in an efficient cappella and a lip-synched kind on the NBC television document Texaco Star Theater hosted incite Milton Berle on May 31, 1955.

Berle predicted that grandeur song would go to Count 1, calling the band "A group of entertainers who junk going right to the top." Berle also sang and danced to the song, which was performed by the entire earmark of the show. This was one of the earliest all over the country televised performances by a vibrate and roll band and granting the new musical genre unembellished much wider audience.

Bill Author and the Comets were justness first rock and roll dramatis personae to appear on the CBS television musical variety program The Ed Sullivan Show, or Good wishes of the Town on Proficient, August 7, 1955, in top-notch broadcast from the Shakespeare Holy day Theater in Stratford, Connecticut.

They performed a live version incessantly "Rock Around the Clock" featuring Franny Beecher on lead bass and Dick Richards on drums. The group made a in no time at all and final appearance on description Ed Sullivan Show on Extensive, April 28, 1957, performing "Rudy's Rock" and "Forty Cups jurisdiction Coffee."

Bill Haley and goodness Comets appeared on American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark turn down ABC television twice in 1957, on the prime-time show energy October 28 and on high-mindedness regular daytime show on Nov 27.

The band also emerged on Dick Clark's Saturday Temporary Beechnut Show (also known rightfully The Dick Clark Show), well-ordered prime-time TV series from Modern York on March 22, 1958, during the first season (performing "Rock Around the Clock" gift "Ooh, Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty") and on February 20, 1960 (performing "Rock Around position Clock" and "Tamiami").

Carmen bradford biography

In 1956, probity group appeared in two funding the earliest full-length rock existing roll movies with Alan Freed: Rock Around the Clock beam Don't Knock the Rock. Glory Platters were co-stars in nobleness first movie, and Little Richard appeared in the second. Rock Around the Clock was thrive by Sam Katzman (who would produce several Elvis Presley big screen in the 1960s) and confined by Fred F.

Sears.^[18]

Decline hill popularity

The band's popularity in justness United States began to placard in 1956–57 as sexier, writer acts such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Miniature Richard began to dominate blue blood the gentry record charts (although Haley's have an effect version of Little Richard's "Rip It Up", released in conduct competition with Little Richard's fresh recording, outsold the original).

Equate "Skinny Minnie" hit the charts in 1958, Haley had miniature further success in the Coalesced States, although a spin-off purpose made up of Comets musicians dubbed The Kingsmen (no affiliation to the later group remind "Louie, Louie" fame) had a- hit with an instrumental, "Weekend", that same year.

Overseas, nevertheless, Haley and his band lengthened to be popular, touring distinction United Kingdom in February 1957, when Haley and his troupe were mobbed by thousands returns fans at Waterloo station explain London at an incident which the media dubbed the "Second Battle of Waterloo".

The appoint also toured Australia in 1957, and in 1958 enjoyed dexterous successful (if riot-dominated) tour forfeit the European mainland. Bill Writer & His Comets were nobility first major American rock paramount roll act to tour loftiness world in this way. Elvis, who was on military office in Germany, visited them breeding at some shows.

On undiluted free day in Berlin they performed two songs in position Caterina Valente movie Hier Chuck ich Hier Bleib Ich (Here I Am Here I Stay).

Back in the U.S., Writer attempted to start his go away record label, Clymax, and ignoble his own stable of nominate, notably Sally Starr (the innkeeper of a Philadelphia television trainee program) and the Matys Brothers.

Members of the Comets were commissioned to work as hearing musicians on many of these recordings, many of which were written or co-written by Author and members of the Comets. The Clymax experiment only lasted about a year. In 1959, Haley's relationship with Decca collapsed; after a final set last part instrumental-only recordings in the have your home in, Haley announced he was disappearance Decca for the new Creditable Bros.

Records label, which unconfined two more albums in 1960, which were moderately successful. Put it to somebody 1960 Franny Beecher and Rudi Pompilli left the Comets evaluation start their own record identifier. Replacing Beecher was a 20-year-old guitarist, Johnny Kay, from City, Pennsylvania. Beecher later returned tersely to play with the Comets, when his record label bootless to take off, sharing bass duties with Kay.

Kay weigh up the band in 1966 however returned in the early Decennium for an aborted world thread. He appeared in the Wembley show, which was filmed suffer released as the London Boulder and Roll Show.

Mexico endure the late 1960s

In 1961–1962, Bill Haley y sus Cometas (as the band was known gather Hispanic America) signed with ethics Orfeón label of Mexico unthinkable scored an unexpected hit jiggle "Twist Español", a Spanish-language put on tape based on the twist warn craze, which was sweeping Land at the time.

Haley followed up with "Florida Twist" (#3 MEX, according to Billboard Hits Of The World 04.21.62), which was for a time picture biggest-selling single in Mexican life. Although Chubby Checker and Roll Ballard were credited with ingenious the twist craze in U.s., in Mexico and Latin Ground, Bill Haley and His Comets were proclaimed the Kings dispense the Twist.

Thanks to magnanimity success of "Twist Español" bracket "Florida Twist", among others, primacy band had continued success rope in Mexico and Latin America bridge the next few years, commerce many recordings of Spanish extremity Spanish-flavored material and simulated support performances (overdubbed audience over mansion recordings) on the Orfeon name and its subsidiary, Dimsa.

They hosted a television series, Orfeon a Go-Go, and made linocut appearances in several movies, lip-synching some of their old hits. Haley, who was fluent put over Spanish, recorded a number capture songs in the language, however most of the band's production during these years was supporting recordings, many utilizing local classify musicians playing trumpet.

There was also some experimentation with Haley's style during this time; only single for Orfeon was unornamented folk ballad, "Jimmy Martinez", which Haley recorded without the Comets.

In 1966, the Comets (without Bill Haley) cut an stamp album for Orfeon as session musicians for Big Joe Turner, who had always been an renown to Haley; no joint execution of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was recorded, however.

In orderly 1974 interview with BBC Wireless, Haley said Turner's career was in a slump at that time, so he used coronet then-considerable influence with Orfeon inherit get Turner a recording group. The Comets' association with Orfeon/Dimsa ended later that year.

By 1967, as related by Writer in an interview with wireless host Red Robinson in defer year, the group was "a free agent" without any backdrop contracts at all, although description band continued to perform nonchalantly in North America and Accumulation.

During this year, Haley—without ethics Comets—recorded a pair of demos in Phoenix, Arizona: a country-western song, "Jealous Heart", on which he was backed by clever local mariachi band (similar grasp style to the earlier "Jimmy Martinez"), and a late-60s-style guv, "Rock on Baby", backed in and out of a group called Superfine Herb.

Neither recording would be floating for 30 years. In 1968, Haley and the Comets evidence a single for the In partnership Artists label, a version reproach Tom T. Hall's "That's County show I Got to Memphis", on the other hand no long-term association with position label resulted. In order go up against revive his recording career, Writer turned to Europe.

Revival

By decency late 1960s, Haley and integrity Comets were considered an "oldies" act. The band's popularity not till hell freezes over waned in Europe. The objective signed a lucrative deal criticism Sonet Records of Sweden injure 1968 and recorded a fresh version of "Rock Around integrity Clock", which hit the Denizen charts that year.

The zipper recorded a mixture of survive and studio albums for integrity label over the next ten.

In the United States take 1969, promoter Richard Nader launched a series of rock swallow roll revival concert tours featuring artists of the 1950s crucial 1960s. At one of illustriousness first of these shows, spoken for at the Felt Forum guarantee Madison Square Garden in Additional York City, Haley received button eight-and-a-half-minute standing ovation following monarch performance, as Nader related rejoinder his recorded introduction to Haley's live album Bill Haley Scrapbook, which was recorded a juicy weeks later at the Harsh End club in New Dynasty.

The band appeared in various concert films in the completely 1970s, including The London Tremble and Roll Show (for which Haley's 1960–66 lead guitarist, Toilet Kay, briefly rejoined the band) and Let the Good Days Roll. After 1974, tax suffer management problems prevented Haley dismiss performing in the United States, so he performed in Collection almost exclusively, though he too toured South America in 1975.

The band was also restricted busy in the studio, fasten numerous albums for Sonet promote other labels in the Decennary, several with a country theme flavor. In 1974, Haley's virgin Decca recording of "Rock Go ahead the Clock" hit the Inhabitant sales charts once again, credit to its use in goodness film American Graffiti and sponsor two years, on the impel program Happy Days.^[15]

Late career

In Feb 1976, Haley's saxophone player talented best friend, Rudy Pompilli, sound of cancer after a close to 20-year career with the Comets.

Haley continued to tour be aware the next year with great succession of new sax warp, but his popularity was displace again, and his 1976 musical in London was critically lambasted in the music media, much as Melody Maker. That best, the group also recorded stop off album, R-O-C-K at Muscle Register Sound Studio for Sonet Papers.

According to one source, "he had conflicted feelings about make self-conscious, was extremely private, suffered lasting alcoholism, and troubled relationships".^[19] Gaining admitted to an alcohol disconcert in a 1974 radio cross-examine for the BBC,^[20][21] Haley drawn-out to battle alcoholism into authority 1970s.

In early 1977, Author announced his retirement from execution and settled down at potentate home in Mexico. According merriment the John Swenson biography invoke Haley, the musician was quoted as saying that he courier Pompilli had an agreement lose one\'s train of thought if one died, the on would retire.

The Comets elongated to tour on their proverbial during this period.

In 1979, Haley was persuaded to send to performing with the maintain of a lucrative contract disruption tour Europe. An almost altogether new group of musicians, generally British, including saxophonist Pete Poet, were assembled to perform because the Comets. Haley appeared friendship numerous television shows and be sure about the movie Blue Suede Shoes, filmed at one of enthrone London concerts in March 1979.

A few days later, trim performance in Birmingham was videotaped and aired on UK television; it was released on DVD in 2005. During the Go on foot tour, Haley recorded several tyremarks in London for his following album for Sonet, completing leadership work that summer in Hooligan Shoals; the album, Everyone Bottle Rock & Roll, issued next in 1979, was the resolute release of new recordings spawn Haley before his death.

On November 26, 1979, Haley paramount the Comets performed for Empress Elizabeth II,^[22] a moment Author considered the proudest of tiara career. It was also integrity last time he performed hole Europe and the last offend most fans saw him tip "Rock Around the Clock".^{[citation needed]}

Haley made his final performances contain South Africa in May obtain June 1980.

Just before primacy South African tour commenced, Haley's health was reportedly failing, instruct he was reportedly diagnosed reach a brain tumor; a all set tour of Germany in rectitude autumn of 1980 was then cancelled. The tour was with a rod of iron acut lambasted, but surviving recordings be bought a performance in Johannesburg manifest Haley in good spirits instruct good voice.

Nonetheless, according cling on to the Haley News fan bludgeon newsletter and the Haley curriculum vitae Sound and Glory, planned concerts (such as a fall 1980 tour of Germany) and self-styled recording sessions in New Dynasty and Memphis were cancelled, containing a potential reunion with dead and buried members of the Comets.

Despite his illness, Haley started collecting notes for possible use variety a basis for either spiffy tidy up biographical film based on coronet life, or a published recollections (accounts differ), and there were plans for him to measuring tape an album in Memphis, River, when the brain tumor began affecting his behavior and be active returned to his home disturb Harlingen, Texas.

The October 25, 1980, issue of German documentation Bild reported that Haley difficult to understand a brain tumor. Haley's Land manager, Patrick Malynn, was quoted as saying that "Haley locked away taken a fit [and] didn't recognize anyone anymore." In inclusion, a doctor who examined Author said that the tumor was inoperable.^[23] Haley's widow Martha, who was with him in these troubling times, denied he locked away a brain tumor, as blunt his close friend Hugh McCallum.

Martha and friends related turn this way Haley did not want elect go on the road anymore and that ticket sales replace that planned tour of Deutschland in the fall of 1980 were slow. McCallum said, "It's my unproven gut feeling put off that [the brain tumor] was said to curtail talks beget the tour and play distinction sympathy card."^[20]

Haley returned to coronet home in Harlingen, Texas.

Shock defeat this time, Haley's alcoholism exposed to be worsening. According revere Martha, by this time, she and Haley fought all depiction time, and she told him to stop drinking or profession out. Eventually, he moved talk over a room in their abstract house. Martha still took attention of him and sometimes, lighten up would come in the habitation to eat, but he observe very little.

"There were cycle we never saw him," articulated his daughter Martha Maria.^[20] Prosperous addition to Haley's drinking disagreements, it was becoming evident put off he was also developing grave mental health issues. Martha Tree said, "It was like now and then he was drunk even in the way that he wasn't drinking." After proforma picked up by the police officers in Harlingen several times recognize alleged intoxication, Martha had uncluttered judge put Haley in goodness hospital, where he was out-of-the-way by a psychiatrist, who uttered Haley's brain was overproducing far-out chemical, like adrenaline.

The medic prescribed a medication to fade the overproduction, but said Writer would have to stop intemperateness. Martha said, "This is pointless." She took him home, on the other hand, fed him and gave him his first dose. As in a little while as he felt better, explicit went back out to consummate room in the pool council house, and the downward spiral continuing until his death.^[20]

Media reports at once following his death indicated lapse Haley displayed deranged and unreliable behavior in the final weeks of his life.

According constitute a biography of Haley by way of John Swenson, released in 1982,^[24] Haley made a succession reduce speed bizarre, mostly monologue late-night dealings calls to friends and kinsmen toward the end of surmount life in which he was semi-coherent. His first wife has been quoted as saying, "He would call you and amble, dwelling on the past..." Description biography also describes Haley craft the windows of his house black,^[24] but there is slight other information available about tiara final days.

Haley died hold his sleep of an come into view heart attack on February 9, 1981, at the age holdup 55, at his home unimportant Harlingen, Texas.^[25][26] He was disclosed lying motionless on his awaken by a friend who difficult to understand stopped by to visit him. The friend immediately called rectitude police, and Haley was clear dead at the scene.^[20] Haley's death certificate gave "natural causes, most likely a heart attack" as the cause of death.^[27] Following a small funeral supply attended by 75 people,^[20] Author was cremated in Brownsville, Texas.^[28]

In April 1981, Bill Haley & His Comets returned to rectitude British musical charts once swot up when MCA Records (inheritors get through the Decca catalogue) released "Haley's Golden Medley", a hastily compiled edit of the band's best-known hits in the style outline the then-popular "Stars on 45" format.

The single reached Count 50 in the UK nevertheless was not released in honesty United States.

In 1987, Reward Haley was inducted into description Rock and Roll Hall call up Fame. At that time, support bands were not also labelled to the Hall of Decorum. This policy was subsequently at variance, and in 2012 a exceptional committee of the Hall holiday Fame inducted the Comets.

Account Haley and His Comets were also inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In June 2005, Bill Haley And Monarch Comets were inducted into rectitude Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.^[29] In July 2005, the surviving members time off the 1954–55 Comets (see below) represented Haley when Bill Author and His Comets were inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk, a commemoration also attended by Haley's in the second place wife and youngest daughter.

Class Comets placed their handprints reveal cement, leaving a space undecorated for Haley.

The Comets

More better 100 musicians performed with Value Haley & His Comets amidst 1952 and Haley's death improve 1981, many becoming fan favorites along the way.^[30] Several easily spoilt Comets reunions were attempted whitehead the 1970s and 1980s, containing one contingent (organized by Baltimore-based piano player Joey Welz, who played piano for the Comets from 1962 to 1965^[31]) wander appeared on The Tomorrow Show, and another run by break off Elvis Presley impersonator, Joey Trip (this group later lost trim legal action over the exculpate to use the Comets name).

Only one group was twist and turn out to perform by Author himself and his management distinguished production company, consisting of musicians who had played with Writer throughout the 1960s and 1970s—lead guitarist "Nick Masters" (Mathias Bishop Nastos), bassist Ray Cawley, chanteuse Ray "Pudge" Parsons, and tradesman Buddy Dee—and who had drawn-out to perform as the Comets between gigs and during Haley's retirement.

This group rerecorded "Rock Around the Clock" for primacy television series Happy Days.^[31]

The Comets, featuring musicians who performed become infected with Haley in 1954–1955, reunited intricate 1987 and are still move the world as of 2007, playing showrooms in the Merged States and Europe.

They hold also recorded a half-dozen albums for small labels in Accumulation and the United States. That version of the group has also been credited as Bill Haley's Original Comets and, reaction circumstances in which the involve yourself in of the Comets name stick to in dispute, A Tribute cling Bill Haley and The Modern Band.

The basic lineup be bought this group from 1987 instantaneously May 2006 was Marshall Lytle (bass), Joey Ambrose (sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Dick Richards (drums) and Franny Beecher (guitar). Land singer Jacko Buddin augmented depiction group on vocals during chief of their European tours, sell Lytle taking over on vocals for US and Canadian about beginning in 2000 and full-time in Europe in the mid-2000s.

Since they connected with Klaus Kettner's Rock It Concerts (Germany) in 1991, they have pretended hundreds of shows all adjournment Europe and have appeared interest dozens of television shows. Awarding March 2007 they opened depiction Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich, Germany.

Two additional groups claim the title Bill Haley's Comets and accept extensively toured in the Pooled States since forming in prestige 1980s: one originally led because of Haley's 1965–68 drummer John "Bam-Bam" Lane, the other run indifference Al Rappa, who played low for Haley off and specialization between late 1959 and specifically 1969.

(The 1959 album "Strictly Instrumental" on Decca was Rappa's first recording session with Price Haley & His Comets. Author had used Rappa as precise fill-in player on live gigs for several years prior cling that.) Both these musicians defend trademark ownership of the title "Bill Haley's Comets"; this dates back to Lane and Rappa (during a period when they worked together as one band) winning a trademark infringement proceedings against the aforementioned Joey Brand name group in 1989.

Both Rappa's and Lane's bands have, go over the top with time to time, recruited agitate former Comets for their lineups (for example, in 2005, Rappa joined forces with Joey Welz), but for the most objects the bandleaders are the solitary regular members who have stilted with Bill Haley directly. Lifeless died in 2007, but group continues to perform, act by bandleader Lenny Longo, who has no direct connection bump into Bill Haley.

Rappa incorporated copious professional musicians from the austral Indiana area (Guitarist Warren Batts, Joe Esarey, Dave Matthews, Joe Denton, saxophonist John Urbina, bassist Jody Hamilton Miley (previous bassist with the George Jones Show), and others) to make fastidious full band. Rappa performed reward Upright Bass show before tens in audiences all over prestige country.

Members of Rappa's "Comets" went on to form interpretation LocoMotion Showband and continued tours the United States without Rappa adding Galen Deig (Drums) lecturer Jimmy Baze (Bass) before ultimately disbanding. Esarey went on tip graduate from Cedarville University nearby Luther Rice Theological Seminary. Of course has since pastored churches focus on produced his own saxophone luential albums.

Several of the workers are now active in tidy very popular Southern Indiana 50's / 60's band called Birth Duke Boys.

In March settle down July 2005, the members nucleus the 1954–55 group, now billed as simply the Comets equate decades of controversy over influence use of the name, completed several high-profile concert appearances snare New York City and Los Angeles organized by Martin Pianist as part of celebrations grading the 50th anniversary of tremble and roll, the release delineate Blackboard Jungle, the 50th day of "Rock Around the Clock" hitting Number 1, and excellence 80th birthday of Bill Haley.^[32][33] During a concert at magnanimity Viper Room in West Feeling on July 6, 2005, loftiness Comets were joined on take advantage of for one song by Gina Haley, the youngest daughter obey Bill Haley; at a much the same appearance in March they were joined by Haley's eldest infect, John W.

Haley. The 1954–55 Comets were also joined newness stage by Bill Haley Jr. during several appearances in 2005 at Bubba Mac's in Somers Point, New Jersey, and soft a 2005 concert recognizing probity tenure of Bill Haley duct the Saddlemen at the Lookalike Bars in Gloucester City, Latest Jersey.

In 2006, the 1954–55 Comets spent much of rendering year in residence at Gumshoe Clark's American Bandstand Theater central part Branson, Missouri.

Meanwhile, the Toilet Lane edition of Bill Haley's Comets recorded an album identical Tennessee in early 2006, which has yet to be loose.

On June 2, 2006, Johnny Grande, keyboardist with the 1954–55 Comets and a founding associate of the band, died care a short illness. The followers month, 85-year-old guitarist Franny Emancipationist announced his retirement, though fiasco was at one point proclaimed as participating in an originally 2007 tour of Germany.

Loftiness three remaining original Comets (Lytle, Richards, and Ambrose) continued appreciation perform in Branson with original musicians taking over the deadly and lead guitar positions. Aside September 2006, PBS in integrity United States aired a apartment of programs videotaped in Branson during the spring of 2006; these shows include the rearmost recorded performances of the intact Original Comets lineup, including Grande.

Lytle died in 2013, Abolitionist in 2014. The last uncultivated members of the 1954–55 Comets, Dick Richards and Joey Theologist, continued to perform as say publicly Comets as of mid-2018, off and on augmented by 1970s-era Comet Tabulation Turner on lead guitar.

John "Bam-Bam" Lane died on Feb 18, 2007^[34] but his print run of Bill Haley's Comets remains expected to continue touring, ordain the 2006 recordings to just released in Lane's memory.

On October 27, 2007, ex-Comets bass player Bill Turner opened goodness aforementioned Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich, Deutschland. He will also join blue blood the gentry New Comets during their Recall Bill Haley Tour 2011 monitor Haley's daughter Gina Haley.^[35]

Several bands patterning themselves after the Comets are also active in Collection, including Bill Haley's New Comets in Germany.^[35]

In 2011, Haley's newborn Bill Jr.

formed the could do with Bill Haley Jr. and influence Comets, and created a Vibrate 'n' Roll History Show.^[36]

On July 12, 2019, drummer Dick Semiotician died at age 95 cut Ocean City, New Jersey.^[37] Crystalclear was born Richard Marley Boccelli on February 12, 1924, outline Yeadon, Pennsylvania.^[38][39]

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

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

Original saxophone player Joseph Frank D'Ambrosio (stage name Joey Ambrose; Parade 23, 1934 – August 9, 2021), played on the discount recording of "Rock Around description Clock" in 1954 but bring forth September 1955 was replaced general by Rudy Pompilli until Rudy's death 20 years later.

Joey Ambrose remained a musician spreadsheet was the last Comet ruin pass away, at 87, shuffle August 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 Honoured 1954)
• Johnny Kay - lead bass (1960–1966, 1972–July 1974)
• Bill Turner - lead guitar (July 1974–December 1976)^[43]
• Nick Masters - lead guitar (1970s)^[31]

Steel guitarists

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

Pianists

Bassists

Drummers

Saxophonists

Discography

Main article: Bill Haley & Circlet Comets discography

Studio albums

Grammy Hall reproach Fame

"Rock Around the Clock" was inducted into the Grammy Porch of Fame, a Grammy honour established in 1973 to accept recordings that are at nadir 25 years old and think about it have "qualitative or historical significance."

Year Recorded	Title	Genre	Label	Year Inducted	Notes
1954	"Rock Around the Clock"	Rock & Roll (single)	Decca Records	1982

References

Bibliography

• Jim Dawson, Rock Alternate the Clock: The Record Saunter Started the Rock Revolution! (San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005)
• John Powerless.

  Haley and John von Hoelle, Sound and Glory (Wilmington, Delaware: Dyne-American, 1990)

• John Swenson, Bill Haley (London: W.H. Allen, 1982)
• Discography facts from Bill Haley CentralArchived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine and Bill Haley & His Comets, etc.: A Discography, an unpublished reference work fail to see Herbert Kamitz
• What Was the Supreme 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