InvestorsHub Logo
Followers 3
Posts 10516
Boards Moderated 3
Alias Born 03/07/2001

Re: Colt1861Navy post# 482

Thursday, 06/06/2002 10:12:15 AM

Thursday, June 06, 2002 10:12:15 AM

Post# of 1767
Rock 'n' Roll Artists A-Z...Bill Haley and His Comets

http://www.billhaley.co.uk/

On April 12th 1954 musical history was created in a converted ballroom in New York City. It was here in the "Pythian Temple" that Bill Haley and the Comets recorded the song that was to become the world wide anthem Rock n'Roll. This was their first session for Decca records and they wanted to create a good impression. However they arrived at the studio late. In fact very late due to their ferry boat being grounded on a sandbank on the Delaware River. Producer Milt Gabler had planned they first record "Thirteen Women", a song in which he had a financial interest. With time running short he wanted to cancel the session, but Bill persuaded him they could soon put an arrangement together. Gabler agreed and said that if there was any studio time left the guys could do their "Clock song" as he called it. After 6 takes, Gabler was finally happy with "Thirteen Women". But it was now after 4 o'clock and the studio was only booked till 5pm. Bill and the Comets would only have time for 2 takes of their song. At 4.30pm they launched into "Rock Around The Clock". When it was over they eagerly listened to the playback. The Comets sounded great, but they had completely drowned out Bill's voice! Gabler requested another take, but this time he ordered the Comets microphones be turned off, so only Bill's vocal was recorded. With time running short Milt Gabler called an end to the session without allowing the Comets to hear the results of this second recording. The following day Gabler had the engineers synchronize the 2 tapes and produce the final version of the record that was to sell over 25 million copies (and still counting!).

"Rock Around the Clock," Rock Ths Joint," "Crazy Man, Crazy," and SO many more - in the 50s, these classic hits rang in a new age of music. Many bands called themselves the first or oldest rock band in the world, but without a doubt, the Original Comets (AKA Bill Haley and His Comets) are the REAL thing. Before they hit the "scene," there was NOTHING. Even the name "Rock'n'Roll" was taken from their early hit "Rock A Beatin' Boogie." (Editor: We think that the famous phrase was actually coined by Alan Freed in Cleveland, Ohio, USA upon hearing Marshall and Bill's classic song "Rock The Joint" for the first time, in June '52, but we will respect the author's claim.)

We are all aware that Bill Haley suffered an early death on February 9, 1981. It was six years later, in 1978, that the Original Comets played together once again at a reunion show in Philadelphia. The "Fathers of Rock'n'Roll" filled the audience with enthusiasm for their unique charisma and incredible dynamism.

In 1991, ROCK IT Concerts invited the band to Euripe for their fourth show since their reunion. The show eas at the "Natchwork" Munich and was recorded and released as the CD "We're Conna Party" (Hydra Records BCK 27100). This was their first album in over fourty years. Since then, the Original Comets have taken more than fifteen countries with their rockin' "storm" and have played several hundred live performances.

In April 1994, the band released their new studio album "You're Never Too Old to Rock'n'Roll" (Hydra Records BCK 27103). This album contained brand new Comets songs and was so popular that it has been followed by two more studio albums.

The Original Comets have so many "firsts" to their name that they are all practically impossible to name. However, some of the most important records set by the real founders of Rock'n'Roll are listed below:

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to have a gold record honoring sales of over 1,000,000 copies in 1954/1955 ("Rock Around the Clock")

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to undertake a world tour.

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to have a leading role in feature films (current count - 8)

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to write their own songs and publish them to an international market.

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to have their own record lable.

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to sell over one million records in England.

First Rock'n'Roll band EVER to sell over one million records in Germany.

The band that has recorded the undisputed biggest selling Rock'n'Roll single of all time (non-seasonal) - "Rock Around the Clock" - with sales in excess of 1/4 BILLION units (and more every day)!

A Letter To The Editor.

THE EDITOR, THE DAILY MIRROR, LONDON

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to your newspaper regarding the forthcoming concerts to be held at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that one of the biggest names in pop history has not yet been invited to perform and would like to offer their services.

They are Bill Haleys Original Comets who coincidentally are also celebrating a golden jubilee this year, it is 50 years since they changed there name to The Comets and also 50 years since there first US Hit, Rock the Joint., this was 3 years before Rock Around the Clock was recorded, the record that still is the largest selling record of all time ! They were the first US Group to sell a million copies in the UK and the first Rock and Roll band to visit the UK. In 1957 your newspaper gave massive coverage of the Bill Haley Tour (see your old editions during March 57) They were front page news on many days. Among the big names in British Music to publicly state that Bill Haley and His Comets were a huge influence on them are Paul MaCartney and Sir Cliff Richard.

You may nor realise it but H M the Queen requested a personal viewing of the Movie Rock around the Clock at Balmoral Castle in 1957 and was for many years an unlikely admirer of Bill Haley and the Comets, in 1979 at the end of a Royal variety show she was overheard saying to Bill Haley "I really enjoyed your performance, I grew up on your music " to which Bill Haley replied "so did I Mam ", they both laughed and shook hands, Bill Haley went on record as saying that Meeting the Queen was his greatest moment.

I am sure you know that Bill Haley died in 1981 but the Original members of his Band the Comets reformed in the 80s and still perform to sell out audiences all over the world including the UK where they visit every 12 to 18 months. These are the original members and the same musicians that took part in all the big hits of the golden days of Rock and Roll . As they share with her Majesty a Golden Jubilee this year they would like to offer their services on this special day but do not know who to contact can you help ? They can be contacted via their website www.originalcomets.com. I am hoping you can help

Yours Sincerely - Paul Bye

Discography

SINGLES

1951 - (Essex) Rocket 88 (The first crossover hit that moved from a Jump Blues style to a "straight" driving drum beat, eliminating the "swing" and "blues" feel for which Jump Blues was known.)
1952 - (Essex) Rock This Joint (A record heavily promoted by Alan Freed in Cleveland one evening at the Moondog Ball, this record is credited by so many historians as the origination of the phrase "Rock'n'Roll.")

1953 - (Essex) Crazy Man, Crazy (The FIRST Rock'n'Roll song to hit the Billboard HOT100)

1954 - (Decca) Rock Around The Clock (A new era began on Planet Earth - both musically and culturally - originating from this blockbuster #1 megahit - to date one of the top three selling songs of all time. The world would never be the same again.)
1954 - (Decca) Shake, Rattle & Roll
1954 - (Decca) See You Later Alligator

1960 - WB5145 (Warner Brothers) Candy Kisses / Tamiami
1960 - WB5154 (Warner Brothers) Chick Safari / Hawk
1960 - WB5171 (Warner Brothers) So Right Tonight / Let The Good Times Roll Creole
1960 - WB5228 (Warner Brothers) Flip Flop & Fly / Honky Tonk

1961 - Gone5111 (Gone) The Spanish Twist / My Kind Of Woman
1961 - Gone5116 (Gone) Riviera / War Paint
1961 - Orfeon1047 (Orfeon) Florida Twist / Negra Consentida

1962 - Orfeon1195 (Orfeon) Pure De Papas / Anoche

1963 - Newtown5013 (Newtown) Tenor Man / Up Goes My Love - Newtown5013
1963 - Newtown5014 (Newtown) Midnight In Washington / White Parakeet
1963 - Newtown5024 (Newtown) Dance Around The Clock / What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
1963 - Newtown5025 (Newtown) Tandy / You Call Everybody Darling

1964 - WB133 (Warner Brothers) Rock Around The Clock / Love Letters In The Sand

1965 - Apt25081 (Apt) Burn That Candle, Stop Look & Listen
1965 - Apt25087 (Apt) Haley A Go Go, Tongue Tied Tony

1969 - UA50483 (United Artists) That's How I Got To Memphis / Ain't Love Funny Ha Ha Ha

1970 - KS508 (Kama Sutra) Rock Around The Clock / Framed

1979 - SON2188 (Sonet) Hail Hail Rock & Roll / Let The Good Times Roll Again
1979 - SON2194 (Sonet) Everyone Can Rock & Roll / I Need The Music

1980 - SON2202 (Sonet) God Bless Rock & Roll (re-mix) / So Right Tonight

1989 - BHEP0001 (EP) Shake Rattle & Roll, See You Later Alligator, Rock Around The Clock

ALBUMS

1960 - WB1378 (Warner Brothers) Bill Haley & His Comets. Crazy Man Crazy, Kansas City, Love Letters In The Sand, Shake Rattle & Roll, I'm In Love Again, Stagger Lee, Rock Around The Clock, I Almost Lost My Mind, Blue Suede Shoes, My Special Angel, Blueberry Hill, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.

1960 - WB1391 (Warner Brothers) Haley's Jukebox. Singing The Blues, Candy Kisses, No Letter Today, This Is The Thanks I Get, Bouquet Of Roses, There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder, Cold Cold Heart, The Wild Side Of Life, Any Time, Afraid, I Don't Hurt Anymore, Detour.

1962 - R25174 (ROULETTE) Twistin' Knights At The Round Table (Live). Lullaby Of Birdland Twist, Twist Marie, One-Two-Three Twist, Down By The Riverside Twist, Queen Of The Twisters, Caravan Twist, I Want a Little Girl, Whistlin' & Walkin' Twist, Florida Twist, Eight More Miles To Louisville.

1970 - BSBS20114 (KAMA SUTRA) Bill Haley's Scrapbook (Live). Rock The Joint, Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, Rip It Up, Razzle Dazzle, Framed, Rock Around The Clock, Crazy Man Crazy, The Saints Rock & Roll, Shake Rattle & Roll, Skinny Minnie, Rudy's Rock, See You Later Alligator.

1974 - K51501 (ATLANTIC) Live In London. Shake Rattle & Roll, Rudy's Rock, Spanish Eyes, Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, The Saints Rock & Roll, Rip It Up, Razzle Dazzle, Caravan, See You Later Alligator, Rock Around The Clock, Rock The Joint.

1968 - GP9945 (SONET) Biggest Hits. Rock Around The Clock, Skinny Minnie, Ling-Ting-Tong, Rock The Joint, Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, See You Later Alligator, Flip Flop And Fly, The Saints Rock & Roll, Shake Rattle & Roll.

1969 - GPD9989 (SONET) Live On Stage. Shake Rattle & Roll, Skinny Minnie, Rip It Up, Rudy's Rock, Lucille, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, See You Later Alligator, Caravan, Kansas City, What'd I Say, Rock Around The Clock, Razzle Dazzle, Cryin' Time, Yakety Sax, Jenny Jenny, Johnny B. Goode, The Saints Rock & Roll, Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, Malaguena, Guitar Boogie, New Orleans, Rock The Joint.

1971- GP10040 (SONET) Rock Around The Country. Me & Bobby McGee, How Many, Who'll Stop The Rain, Pink Eyed Pussycat, Travelin' Band, No Letter Today, Dance Around The Clock, Games People Play, A Little Piece At a Time, I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World, Bony Maronie, There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder.

1973 - SNTF645 (SONET) Just Rock & Roll Music. I'm Walkin', High Heel Sneakers, Blue Suede Shoes, Tossin' & Turnin', Flip Flop & Fly, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, C.C. Rider, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Bring It On Home To Me, Personality, Crazy Man Crazy, Rock & Roll Music.

1976 - SNTF710 (SONET) R-O-C-K (produced by Sam Charters). Oooh! Look-A-There Ain't She Pretty, Dim Dim The Lights, Burn That Candle, I Got A Woman, R-O-C-K, Farewell So Long Goodbye, ABC Boogie, Dance With A Dolly, I'll Be True To You, Mohair Sam.

1979 - SNTF808 (SONET) Everyone Can Rock And Rol (produced by Kenny Denton ). Hail Hail Rock & Roll, Jim Dandy, That's How I Got To Memphis, Juke Box Cannon Ball, Let The Good Times Roll Again, God Bless Rock & Roll, Everyone Can Rock & Roll, The Battle Of New Orleans, I Need The Music, Heartaches By The Number, Tweedle Dee, So Right Tonight.



]

Breaking Clay Makes My Day!

Join the InvestorsHub Community

Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.