Bill haley and the comets biography sample

American boulder and roll band

This article quite good about the rock and keep a record band. For their self styled album, see Bill Haley duct His Comets (1960 album).

Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets rip open 1956. Left to right: Rudy Pompilli, Billy Williamson, Al Rex, Bill Haley, Johnny Grande, Ralph Jones, and Franny Beecher
Also famous as	The Down Homers Bill Haley take up the 4 Aces of Thriller Swing Bill Haley and the Saddlemen The Kingsmen The Lifeguards B.H. Sees Combo
Origin	Chester, Penn, 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 improved than 100 others

Bill Haley & His Comets were an English rock and roll band be made aware in 1947 and continuing unsettled Haley's death in 1981.

Position band was also known although Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. Outlander late 1954 to late 1956, the group recorded nine Heraldic sign 20 singles, one of which was number one and brace that were Top Ten. Decency single "Rock Around the Clock" was the best-selling rock matchless in the history of decency genre and maintained that lean for several years.^[1]

Band leader Tab Haley had previously been neat Western swing performer; after setting a rockabilly version of Ongoing Turner and his Kings refreshing Rhythm's "Rocket 88", one go with the first rock and demolish recordings, Haley changed his band's musical direction to rock strain.

They went on to inscribe hit versions of "Crazy Person, Crazy", "Shake, Rattle & Roll", the aforementioned "Rock Around illustriousness Clock", "Dim, Dim the Lights", "Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie", "Razzle-Dazzle", "See Boss about Later, Alligator", "The Saints Stone 'N' Roll" and "Rip Directly Up". In 1956, the order appeared in two early outcrop and roll movies with text jockey Alan Freed: Rock Children the Clock and Don't Strike the Rock.

Though the sort out was considered to be stroke the forefront of rock predominant roll during the genre's susceptible determinati years, the arrival of explain risqué acts such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard in and out of 1956 led the more sing Haley and his Comets make a victim of decline in popularity. Haley would remain popular in Europe viewpoint go on to have well-ordered comeback as a nostalgia forewarn in the 1970s, along and many of his contemporaries.

Shadowing Haley's death, no fewer caress seven different groups have existed under the Comets name, wrestling match claiming (with varying degrees be unable to find authority) to be the flow of Haley's group. As catch the fancy of the end of 2014, quaternity such groups were still performance in the United States be first internationally.

Early history

In around influence mid-1940s, Bill Haley performed hostile to the Down Homers and conversant a group called the Quaternary Aces of Western Swing. Illustriousness group that later became righteousness Comets initially formed as "Bill Haley and the Saddlemen" c. 1949–1952, and performed mostly country boss western songs, though occasionally greet a bluesy feel.

The number was also the first contain record a cover version (in July 1951) of Rocket 88,^[2] originally a jump blues melody by Jackie Brenston and fillet Delta Cats, who were in truth Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm. He did positive for the Philadelphia-based Holiday Papers label, in what is at present recognized as a rockabilly accept.

It sold well and was followed in 1952 by trig cover of a 1940s throbbing and blues song called "Rock the Joint" for Holiday's attend company, Essex Records.

During those years however, Haley was reasoned one of the top gauche yodelers in America. Many Saddlemen recordings were not released in the offing the 1970s and 1980s, cranium 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 spreadsheet accordion player Johnny Grande suggest steel guitaristBilly Williamson.

Al Archaeologist was the group's first basso player, followed by Al Rex and Marshall Lytle. During rectitude group's early years, it evidence under several other names, as well as Johnny Clifton and His Rope Band and Reno Browne innermost Her Buckaroos (although Browne, natty female matinee idol of high-mindedness time, did not actually superficial on the record).

"Rocket 88", "Rock the Joint", and their immediate follow-ups were released mess the increasingly incongruous Saddlemen label. It soon became apparent turn this way a new name for rank group was needed to be paid the new musical style. Unadorned friend of Haley's, making comment of the common mispronunciation accomplish the name Halley's Comet attack rhyme with Bailey, suggested guarantee Haley call his band prestige Comets.

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

The new name for the genre was adopted in the folding of 1952, before the 1953 release of "Crazy Man, Crazy" which had some elements distinctive rock and roll and rockabilly music.^[3] Members of the set at that time were Writer, Johnny Grande, Billy Williamson accept Marshall Lytle.

Grande usually fake piano on records but switched to accordion for live shows as it was more portative than a piano and slide to deal with during sweet-sounding numbers that involved a map of dancing around. Soon rearguard renaming the band Haley leased his first drummer, Earl Famous.^[4] Displeased with the lineup, Writer sought out Dick Boccelli (also known as Dick Richards), who turned down the job nevertheless recommended a young drummer Airhead Higler.

Soon after, Haley without prompting Richards again, who then universal the role. During this at the double (and as late as probity fall of 1955), Haley exact not have a permanent conduct guitar player, choosing to take into custody session musicians on records give orders to either playing lead guitar bodily or having Williamson play organize solos.

Even before the expulsion of more successful records, prestige group had achieved greatness atmosphere some respects: "No one esoteric blended country and R&B do away with a single before the Comets' "Rock the Joint". No connotation had scored an American Awkward moment 20 hit with anything rove could really qualify as rock-and-roll before their single "Crazy Fellow Crazy" in 1953".^[5]

National success stomach "Rock Around the Clock"

In 1953, Haley scored his first not public success with his original inexpensively, "Crazy Man, Crazy", a prepositional phrase Haley said he heard use his teenage audience, again loose on Essex.

Haley later alleged the recording sold a mint copies, but this is advised an exaggeration. Some sources argument that the recording—a blend blond R&B, western and pop music—is a contender for the give a ring of "first rock'n'roll record" term others state that it was merely "the first rock contemporary roll song to be spick hit on the pop charts".

It was also said prevalent be the first rock'n'roll record to be played on official television in the United States (in an episode of Double-decker (American TV program) in 1953).^[6]

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

In the flow of 1954, Haley and Coronate Comets left Essex for Spanking York-based Decca Records, where they were placed under the control of veteran producer Milt Gabler, who would produce all have available the band's recordings for position label and who had anachronistic involved in creating many proto-rock and roll recordings by authority likes of the Andrews Sisters and Louis Jordan dating at the moment to the 1940s.

One advice Jordan's records, Saturday Night Stilted Fry (1949), is considered kind be a contender for picture title of "first rock'n' tilt record. Gabler later commented turn "all the tricks I stimulated with Louis Jordan, I pathetic with Bill Haley".^[7][8]

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

Sales announcement "Rock Around the Clock" going on slowly, since it was honesty B-side of the single, on the contrary it performed well enough, wander a second Decca session was commissioned.

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

The single was adjourn of Decca's best-selling records reminiscent of 1954^[10] and the seventh-best-selling document in November 1954.^[11]

In 1954, Anita Gordon starred in Round Chance on of Rhythm, a film little in which she, and Run through the photocopier Jockey Bill Delzell, played ' Straight Jacket ' and 'Shake Rattle and Roll', which position group are seen playing.

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

Haley's "Shake, Jar and Roll" never achieved depiction same level of historical monetary worth as "Rock Around the Clock" but it predated it variety the first international rock mount roll hit.

It did keen attain the Number 1 outcome on the American charts, on the contrary it became Haley's first yellowness record. Elvis Presley recorded leadership song in 1956, combining Haley's arrangement with Turner's original argument, but his version was throng together a substantial hit. Late delete 1954, Haley recorded another damage, "Dim, Dim The Lights", which was one of the eminent R&B songs recorded by clean up white group to cross spin 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 hear its use in the past performance of the film Blackboard Jungle,^[13] which was released on Stride 19, 1955. The song was re-released to coincide with interpretation film and shifted to interpretation single's A-side.

Haley's recording became an anthem for rebellious Fifties youth^[14] and reached Number 1 on the pop charts, devastate there for eight weeks,^[15] final went to Number 3 border the R&B chart.^[16] According amount The Guardian, the group was "the first rock'n'roll band" contemporary the song was particularly "important because it was the foremost rock'n'roll record heard by trillions of people worldwide".^[5]

Ambrose's acrobatic sax playing, along with Lytle removal the double bass – neither more nor less on it, riding it intend a pony, and holding go out with over his head – were highlights of the band's survive performances during this time.

Their music and their act were part of a tradition hit jazz and rhythm and redolent, but it all came enjoy a thunderclap to most noise their audience. In late 1954, Haley and His Comets comed in a short subject ruling Round Up of Rhythm, carrying out three songs. This was rendering earliest known theatrical rock captain roll film release.^[17]

In 1955, Lytle, Richards and Ambrose quit prestige Comets in a salary question and formed their own quantity, the Jodimars.

Haley hired very many new musicians to take their place: Rudy Pompilli on shaper, Al Rex (a former adherent of the Saddlemen) on height bass, and Ralph Jones delimit drums. In addition, lead player Franny Beecher, who had bent a session musician for Author since Danny Cedrone's death confine the spring of 1954, became a full-time Comet and Haley's first performing lead guitarist (Cedrone had played the guitar unaccompanie on the original recording cataclysm "Rock Around the Clock" title died shortly after the video session for "Shake, Rattle other Roll" in the summer clever 1954).

This version of distinction band became more popular top the earlier manifestation and emerged in several motion pictures handing over the next few years.

Other hits recorded by the ribbon included "See You Later, Alligator"^[13] in which Haley's frantic transportation contrasted with the Louisiana phlegm of the original by Gendarme Charles, "Don't Knock the Rock", "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie", "Rudy's Rock" (the first instrumental hit of greatness rock and roll era), ray "Skinny Minnie."

Bill Haley professor the Comets performed "Rock Overwhelm the Clock" in an pure cappella and a lip-synched exchange on the NBC television document Texaco Star Theater hosted provoke Milton Berle on May 31, 1955.

Berle predicted that position song would go to Hand out 1, calling the band "A group of entertainers who second-hand goods going right to the top." Berle also sang and danced to the song, which was performed by the entire sad of the show. This was one of the earliest all over the country televised performances by a seesaw and roll band and conj admitting the new musical genre dialect trig much wider audience.

Bill Writer and the Comets were integrity first rock and roll out to appear on the CBS television musical variety program The Ed Sullivan Show, or Felicitations of the Town on Honourable, August 7, 1955, in keen broadcast from the Shakespeare Commemoration Theater in Stratford, Connecticut. They performed a live version scrupulous "Rock Around the Clock" featuring Franny Beecher on lead bass and Dick Richards on drums.

The group made a in the second place and final appearance on excellence Ed Sullivan Show on Good-hearted, April 28, 1957, performing "Rudy's Rock" and "Forty Cups familiar Coffee."

Bill Haley and grandeur Comets appeared on American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark jump ABC television twice in 1957, on the prime-time show mode October 28 and on honesty regular daytime show on Nov 27.

The band also exposed on Dick Clark's Saturday Shades of night Beechnut Show (also known primate The Dick Clark Show), systematic prime-time TV series from Pristine York on March 22, 1958, during the first season (performing "Rock Around the Clock" gleam "Ooh, Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty") and on February 20, 1960 (performing "Rock Around distinction Clock" and "Tamiami").

In 1956, the group appeared in shine unsteadily of the earliest full-length stone and roll movies with Alan Freed: Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock. The Platters were co-stars boast the first movie, and Roughly Richard appeared in the alternative. Rock Around the Clock was produced by Sam Katzman (who would produce several Elvis Presley films in the 1960s) skull directed by Fred F.

Sears.^[18]

Decline in popularity

The band's popularity flash the United States began lend your energies to wane in 1956–57 as sexier, wilder acts such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis jaunt Little Richard began to lead the record charts (although Haley's cover version of Little Richard's "Rip It Up", released hub direct competition with Little Richard's original recording, outsold the original).

After "Skinny Minnie" hit ethics charts in 1958, Haley esoteric little further success in influence United States, although a diverge group made up of Comets musicians dubbed The Kingsmen (no relation to the later status of "Louie, Louie" fame) difficult to understand a hit with an involved, "Weekend", that same year.

Overseas, however, Haley and his knot continued to be popular, excursions the United Kingdom in Feb 1957, when Haley and crown crew were mobbed by billions of fans at Waterloo location in London at an affair which the media dubbed character "Second Battle of Waterloo". Picture group also toured Australia outward show 1957, and in 1958 enjoyed a successful (if riot-dominated) voyage of the European mainland.

Restaurant check Haley & His Comets were the first major American seesaw and roll act to trek the world in this escaping. Elvis, who was on warlike duty in Germany, visited them backstage at some shows. Fasten a free day in Songwriter they performed two songs worship the Caterina Valente movie Hier Bin ich Hier Bleib Abundant (Here I Am Here Uncontrollable Stay).

Back in the U.S., Haley attempted to start empress own record label, Clymax, build up establish his own stable make stronger performers, notably Sally Starr (the hostess of a Philadelphia news services children's program) and the Matys Brothers. Members of the Comets were commissioned to work rightfully session musicians on many be beneficial to these recordings, many of which were written or co-written invitation Haley and members of rank Comets.

The Clymax experiment unique lasted about a year. Ton 1959, Haley's relationship with Decca collapsed; after a final non-negotiable of instrumental-only recordings in probity fall, Haley announced he was leaving Decca for the modern Warner Bros. Records label, which released two more albums constrict 1960, which were moderately sign on.

In 1960 Franny Beecher unthinkable Rudi Pompilli left the Comets to start their own write down label. Replacing Beecher was marvellous 20-year-old guitarist, Johnny Kay, deseed Chester, Pennsylvania. Beecher later common briefly to play with prestige Comets, when his record identification failed to take off, dispersal guitar duties with Kay.

Fount left the band in 1966 but returned in the at 1970s for an aborted false tour. He appeared in description Wembley show, which was filmed and released as the Writer Rock and Roll Show.

Mexico and the late 1960s

In 1961–1962, Bill Haley y sus Cometas (as the band was systematic in Hispanic America) signed hostile to the Orfeón label of Mexico and scored an unexpected strike with "Twist Español", a Spanish-language recording based on the writhe dance craze, which was general America at the time.

Writer followed up with "Florida Twist" (#3 MEX, according to Improving Hits Of The World 04.21.62), which was for a interval the biggest-selling single in Mexican history. Although Chubby Checker unacceptable Hank Ballard were credited be different starting the twist craze meat America, in Mexico and Serious America, Bill Haley and Dominion Comets were proclaimed the Kings of the Twist.

Thanks get to the success of "Twist Español" and "Florida Twist", among starkness, the band had continued attainment in Mexico and Latin Usa over the next few geezerhood, selling many recordings of Country and Spanish-flavored material and feigned live performances (overdubbed audience removal studio recordings) on the Orfeon label and its subsidiary, Dimsa.

They hosted a television programme, Orfeon a Go-Go, and compelled cameo appearances in several pictures, lip-synching some of their in the neighbourhood hits. Haley, who was felicitous in Spanish, recorded a hand out of songs in the dialect, but most of the band's output during these years was instrumental recordings, many utilizing limited session musicians playing trumpet.

Beside was also some experimentation break Haley's style during this time; one single for Orfeon was a folk ballad, "Jimmy Martinez", which Haley recorded without interpretation Comets.

In 1966, the Comets (without Bill Haley) cut break off album for Orfeon as seating musicians for Big Joe Historian, who had always been devise idol to Haley; no juncture performance of "Shake, Rattle dowel Roll" was recorded, however.

Infant a 1974 interview with BBC Radio, Haley said Turner's pursuit was in a slump equal height this time, so he drippy his then-considerable influence with Orfeon to get Turner a tape measure session. The Comets' association right Orfeon/Dimsa ended later that collection.

By 1967, as related uninviting Haley in an interview liven up radio host Red Robinson feature that year, the group was "a free agent" without woman on the clapham omnibus recording contracts at all, despite the fact that the band continued to action regularly in North America point of view Europe.

During this year, Haley—without the Comets—recorded a pair strip off demos in Phoenix, Arizona: systematic country-western song, "Jealous Heart", have confidence in which he was backed wedge a local mariachi band (similar in style to the previously "Jimmy Martinez"), and a late-60s-style rocker, "Rock on Baby", hardback by a group called Overrefined Dandelion.

Neither recording would eke out an existence released for 30 years. Interchangeable 1968, Haley and the Comets recorded a single for blue blood the gentry United Artists label, a type of Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got to Memphis", but no long-term association touch upon the label resulted. In take charge of to revive his recording employment, Haley turned to Europe.

Revival

By the late 1960s, Haley splendid the Comets were considered young adult "oldies" act. The band's profusion never waned in Europe. Excellence group signed a lucrative partnership with Sonet Records of Sverige in 1968 and recorded a- new version of "Rock Approximately the Clock", which hit goodness European charts that year.

Representation band recorded a mixture prop up live and studio albums agreeable the label over the close decade.

In the United States in 1969, promoter Richard Nader launched a series of wobble and roll revival concert move featuring artists of the Decade and 1960s. At one produce the first of these shows, held at the Felt Convocation at Madison Square Garden heritage New York City, Haley agreed an eight-and-a-half-minute standing ovation next his performance, as Nader accompanying in his recorded introduction on top of Haley's live album Bill Author Scrapbook, which was recorded systematic few weeks later at say publicly Bitter End club in New-found York.

The band appeared encumber several concert films in probity early 1970s, including The Writer Rock and Roll Show (for which Haley's 1960–66 lead musician, John Kay, briefly rejoined goodness band) and Let the Acceptable Times Roll. After 1974, stretch and management problems prevented Author from performing in the In partnership States, so he performed hold Europe almost exclusively, though sharptasting also toured South America invoice 1975.

The band was too kept busy in the atelier, recording numerous albums for Sonet and other labels in class 1970s, several with a society music flavor. In 1974, Haley's original Decca recording of "Rock Around the Clock" hit probity American sales charts once go back over the same ground, thanks to its use rejoicing the film American Graffiti concentrate on for two years, on dignity television program Happy Days.^[15]

Late career

In February 1976, Haley's saxophone sportsman and best friend, Rudy Pompilli, died of cancer after trim nearly 20-year career with honourableness Comets.

Haley continued to trip for the next year become accustomed a succession of new maker players, but his popularity was waning again, and his 1976 performance in London was sternly lambasted in the music communication, such as Melody Maker. Guarantee year, the group also record an album, R-O-C-K at Force Shoals Sound Studio for Sonet Records.

According to one basis, "he had conflicted feelings memo fame, was extremely private, allowed chronic alcoholism, and troubled relationships".^[19] Having admitted to an indulge problem in a 1974 wireless interview for the BBC,^[20][21] Author continued to battle alcoholism lift up the 1970s.

In early 1977, Haley announced his retirement munch through performing and settled down on tap his home in Mexico. According to the John Swenson history of Haley, the musician was quoted as saying that misstep and Pompilli had an pay that if one died, righteousness other would retire.

The Comets continued to tour on their own during this period.

In 1979, Haley was persuaded essay return to performing with loftiness offer of a lucrative commitment to tour Europe. An approximately completely new group of musicians, mostly British, including saxophonist Pete Thomas, were assembled to present as the Comets. Haley arrived on numerous television shows instruction in the movie Blue Action Shoes, filmed at one stop his London concerts in Tread 1979.

A few days succeeding, a performance in Birmingham was videotaped and aired on UK television; it was released give an account DVD in 2005. During grandeur March tour, Haley recorded not too tracks in London for fillet next album for Sonet, finishing-off the work that summer suppose Muscle Shoals; the album, Everyone Can Rock & Roll, finish in the money b be later in 1979, was goodness last release of new recordings by Haley before his mortality.

On November 26, 1979, Writer and the Comets performed disperse Queen Elizabeth II,^[22] a temporary halt Haley considered the proudest promote his career. It was besides the last time he rank in Europe and the rob time most fans saw him perform "Rock Around the Clock".^{[citation needed]}

Haley made his final doings in South Africa in Can and June 1980.

Just in advance the South African tour commenced, Haley's health was reportedly defect, and he was reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor; uncomplicated planned tour of Germany cloudless the autumn of 1980 was subsequently cancelled. The tour was critically lambasted, but surviving recordings of a performance in City show Haley in good liquor and good voice.

Nonetheless, according to the Haley News enthusiast club newsletter and the Writer biography Sound and Glory, in order concerts (such as a bar 1980 tour of Germany) stall proposed recording sessions in In mint condition York and Memphis were postponed, including a potential reunion support past members of the Comets.

Despite his illness, Haley in motion compiling notes for possible bushy as a basis for either a biographical film based aspiring leader his life, or a in print autobiography (accounts differ), and thither were plans for him memorandum record an album in Metropolis, Tennessee, when the brain malignance began affecting his behavior celebrated he returned to his residence in Harlingen, Texas.

The Oct 25, 1980, issue of European tabloid Bild reported that Writer had a brain tumor. Haley's British manager, Patrick Malynn, was quoted as saying that "Haley had taken a fit [and] didn't recognize anyone anymore." Upgrade addition, a doctor who examined Haley said that the angiopathy was inoperable.^[23] Haley's widow Martha, who was with him update these troubling times, denied flair had a brain tumor, chimpanzee did his close friend Hugh McCallum.

Martha and friends affiliated that Haley did not demand to go on the hold back anymore and that ticket garage sale for that planned tour consume Germany in the fall behove 1980 were slow. McCallum held, "It's my unproven gut attitude that that [the brain tumor] was said to curtail league about the tour and caper the sympathy card."^[20]

Haley returned die his home in Harlingen, Texas.

At this time, Haley's intoxication appeared to be worsening. According to Martha, by this relating to, she and Haley fought go to the bottom the time, and she put into words him to stop drinking keep an eye on move out. Eventually, he mannered into a room in their pool house. Martha still took care of him and now and then, he would come in grandeur house to eat, but sand ate very little.

"There were days we never saw him," said his daughter Martha Maria.^[20] In addition to Haley's crapulence problems, it was becoming anywhere to be seen that he was also nonindustrial serious mental health issues. Martha Maria said, "It was emerge sometimes he was drunk regular when he wasn't drinking." End being picked up by say publicly police in Harlingen several epoch for alleged intoxication, Martha esoteric a judge put Haley hem in the hospital, where he was seen by a psychiatrist, who said Haley's brain was overproducing a chemical, like adrenaline.

Honesty doctor prescribed a medication discriminate stop the overproduction, but uttered Haley would have to tolerate drinking. Martha said, "This evaluation pointless." She took him sunny, however, fed him and gave him his first dose. Translation soon as he felt vacation, he went back out ought to his room in the well 2 house, and the downward curl continued until his death.^[20]

Media transaction immediately following his death individual that Haley displayed deranged lecture erratic behavior in the terminal weeks of his life.

According to a biography of Writer by John Swenson, released reliably 1982,^[24] Haley made a on of bizarre, mostly monologue late-night phone calls to friends extremity relatives toward the end be paid his life in which sand was semi-coherent. His first better half has been quoted as adage, "He would call you leading ramble, dwelling on the past..." The biography also describes Author painting the windows of consummate home black,^[24] but there decline little other information available pant his final days.

Haley on top form in his sleep of plug apparent heart attack on Feb 9, 1981, at the draw out of 55, at his impress in Harlingen, Texas.^[25][26] He was discovered lying motionless on her majesty bed by a friend who had stopped by to summon him. The friend immediately styled the police, and Haley was pronounced dead at the scene.^[20] Haley's death certificate gave "natural causes, most likely a word of honour attack" as the cause be useful to death.^[27] Following a small interment service attended by 75 people,^[20] Haley was cremated in City, Texas.^[28]

In April 1981, Bill Author & His Comets returned follow a line of investigation the British musical charts previously again when MCA Records (inheritors of the Decca catalogue) on the loose "Haley's Golden Medley", a double-quick compiled edit of the band's best-known hits in the neaten of the then-popular "Stars cooking oil 45" format.

The single reached Number 50 in the UK but was not released of great magnitude the United States.

In 1987, Bill Haley was inducted come across the Rock and Roll Foyer of Fame. At that put on the back burner, supporting bands were not besides named to the Hall abide by Fame. This policy was later changed, and in 2012 elegant special committee of the Foyer of Fame inducted the Comets.

Bill Haley and His Comets were also inducted into depiction Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Detect June 2005, Bill Haley Advocate His Comets were inducted insert the Michigan Rock and Blow up Legends Hall of Fame.^[29] Assimilate July 2005, the surviving components of the 1954–55 Comets (see below) represented Haley when Reward Haley and His Comets were inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk, put in order ceremony also attended by Haley's second wife and youngest female child.

The Comets placed their handprints in cement, leaving a vastness blank for Haley.

The Comets

More than 100 musicians performed take up again Bill Haley & His Comets between 1952 and Haley's litter in 1981, many becoming follower favorites along the way.^[30] Assorted short-lived Comets reunions were attempted in the 1970s and Decennary, including one contingent (organized provoke Baltimore-based piano player Joey Welz, who played piano for integrity Comets from 1962 to 1965^[31]) that appeared on The Days Show, and another run newborn an Elvis Presley impersonator, Joey Rand (this group later lacking a legal action over distinction right to use the Comets name).

Only one group was sent out to perform moisten Haley himself and his authority and production company, consisting promote musicians who had played better Haley throughout the 1960s contemporary 1970s—lead guitarist "Nick Masters" (Mathias Nicholas Nastos), bassist Ray Cawley, singer Ray "Pudge" Parsons, cranium drummer Buddy Dee—and who locked away continued to perform as representation Comets between gigs and extensive Haley's retirement.

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

The Comets, featuring musicians who unreduced with Haley in 1954–1955, reunited in 1987 and are do touring the world as model 2007, playing showrooms in excellence United States and Europe.

They have also recorded a vi albums for small labels mull it over Europe and the United States. This version of the quantity has also been credited though Bill Haley's Original Comets tell off, in circumstances in which honourableness use of the Comets designation is in dispute, A Festival to Bill Haley and The Original Band.

The basic array of this group from 1987 to May 2006 was Marshal Lytle (bass), Joey Ambrose (sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Dick Semanticist (drums) and Franny Beecher (guitar). British singer Jacko Buddin augmented the group on vocals via most of their European junket, with Lytle taking over form vocals for US and Scuttle tours beginning in 2000 arm full-time in Europe in greatness mid-2000s.

Since they connected surpass Klaus Kettner's Rock It Concerts (Germany) in 1991, they plot played hundreds of shows bell over Europe and have arised on dozens of television shows. In March 2007 they unbolt the Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich, Frg.

Two additional groups claim primacy name Bill Haley's Comets swallow have extensively toured in primacy United States since forming think about it the 1980s: one originally opulent by Haley's 1965–68 drummer Convenience "Bam-Bam" Lane, the other enquiry by Al Rappa, who false bass for Haley off focus on on between late 1959 take precedence early 1969.

(The 1959 ep "Strictly Instrumental" on Decca was Rappa's first recording session fit Bill Haley & His Comets. Haley had used Rappa significance a fill-in player on subsist gigs for several years earlier to that.) Both these musicians claim trademark ownership of nobleness name "Bill Haley's Comets"; that dates back to Lane service Rappa (during a period in the way that they worked together as particular band) winning a trademark contravention lawsuit against the aforementioned Joey Rand group in 1989.

Both Rappa's and Lane's bands keep, from time to time, recruited other former Comets for their lineups (for example, in 2005, Rappa joined forces with Joey Welz), but for the uppermost part the bandleaders are dignity only regular members who maintain worked with Bill Haley uninterrupted. Lane died in 2007, however his group continues to advert, led by bandleader Lenny Longo, who has no direct union with Bill Haley.

Rappa believe numerous professional musicians from position southern Indiana area (Guitarist Jurist Batts, Joe Esarey, Dave Matthews, Joe Denton, saxophonist John Urbina, bassist Jody Hamilton Miley (previous bassist with the George Architect Show), and others) to sham a full band. Rappa whole his Upright Bass show in advance thousands in audiences all study the country.

Members of Rappa's "Comets" went on to play a part the LocoMotion Showband and prolonged touring the United States after Rappa adding Galen Deig (Drums) and Jimmy Baze (Bass) previously eventually disbanding. Esarey went imitation to graduate from Cedarville Origination and Luther Rice Theological Kind. He has since pastored churches and produced his own sax instrumental albums.

Several of loftiness members are now active access a very popular Southern Indiana 50's / 60's band cryed The Duke Boys.

In Step and July 2005, the chapters of the 1954–55 group, at present billed as simply the Comets after decades of controversy arrogant the use of the reputation, made several high-profile concert conventions in New York City promote Los Angeles organized by Player Lewis as part of dealings marking the 50th anniversary unmoving rock and roll, the unbridle of Blackboard Jungle, the Fiftieth anniversary of "Rock Around say publicly Clock" hitting Number 1, be proof against the 80th birthday of Reward Haley.^[32][33] During a concert disagree the Viper Room in Westward Hollywood on July 6, 2005, the Comets were joined excess stage for one song indifference Gina Haley, the youngest girl of Bill Haley; at well-organized similar appearance in March they were joined by Haley's progeny son, John W.

Haley. Ethics 1954–55 Comets were also wedded conjugal on stage by Bill Author Jr. during several appearances bear hug 2005 at Bubba Mac's operate Somers Point, New Jersey, with at a 2005 concert adherence the tenure of Bill Author and the Saddlemen at loftiness Twin Bars in Gloucester Infiltrate, New Jersey.

In 2006, glory 1954–55 Comets spent much follow the year in residence watch Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

Meanwhile, influence John Lane edition of Expenditure Haley's Comets recorded an stamp album in Tennessee in early 2006, which has yet to weakness released.

On June 2, 2006, Johnny Grande, keyboardist with significance 1954–55 Comets and a foundation member of the band, correctly after a short illness. Greatness following month, 85-year-old guitarist Franny Beecher announced his retirement, in spite of he was at one pencil case announced as participating in undecorated early 2007 tour of Deutschland.

The three remaining original Comets (Lytle, Richards, and Ambrose) long to perform in Branson put together new musicians taking over rendering keyboard and lead guitar positions. During September 2006, PBS propitious the United States aired excellent series of programs videotaped scuttle Branson during the spring provide 2006; these shows include goodness last recorded performances of authority complete Original Comets lineup, plus Grande.

Lytle died in 2013, Beecher in 2014. The clutch remaining members of the 1954–55 Comets, Dick Richards and Joey Ambrose, continued to perform type the Comets as of mid-2018, sometimes augmented by 1970s-era Top Bill Turner on lead bass.

John "Bam-Bam" Lane died acquit February 18, 2007^[34] but government edition of Bill Haley's Comets is expected to continue about, with the 2006 recordings cast off your inhibitions be released in Lane's recollection.

On October 27, 2007, ex-Comets guitar player Bill Turner unbolt the aforementioned Bill-Haley-Museum in Muenchen, Germany. He will also touch the New Comets during their Remember Bill Haley Tour 2011 with Haley's daughter Gina Haley.^[35]

Several bands patterning themselves after ethics Comets are also active wear Europe, including Bill Haley's Spanking Comets in Germany.^[35]

In 2011, Haley's son Bill Jr.

formed leadership band Bill Haley Jr. abstruse the Comets, and created boss Rock 'n' Roll History Show.^[36]

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

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

Al Rappa dreary on July 25, 2021, sheer 94.^[41]

Original saxophone player Joseph Outspoken D'Ambrosio (stage name Joey Ambrose; March 23, 1934 – Honourable 9, 2021), played on depiction hit recording of "Rock Keep up the Clock" in 1954 on the contrary from September 1955 was replaced long-term by Rudy Pompilli till Rudy's death 20 years adjacent.

Joey Ambrose remained a jongleur and was the last Name to pass away, at 87, on 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 bass (August 1955–1960, 1961–1962) (part-time distance from August 1954)
• Johnny Kay - highest guitar (1960–1966, 1972–July 1974)
• Bill Endocrinologist - lead guitar (July 1974–December 1976)^[43]
• Nick Masters - lead bass (1970s)^[31]

Steel guitarists

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

Pianists

Bassists

Drummers

Saxophonists

Discography

Main article: Bill Haley & His Comets discography

Studio albums

Grammy Passageway of Fame

"Rock Around the Clock" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a Grammy award established in 1973 telling off honor recordings that are take a shot at least 25 years old service that have "qualitative or sequential significance."

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

References

Bibliography

• Jim Dawson, Rock Around the Clock: The Not to be mentioned That Started the Rock Revolution! (San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005)
• John W.

  Haley and John von Hoelle, Sound and 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 justness Wayback Machine and Bill Author & His Comets, etc.: Clean Discography, an unpublished reference swipe by Herbert Kamitz
• What Was loftiness First Rock 'n' Roll Record?ISBN 0-571-12939-0 (paper)
• Charlie Gillette and SImon Fiord, eds., Rock File 4 (Panther Books, 1976) ISBN 0-586-04370-5
• Billboard magazine
• Cash Box magazine

Notes

External links