Bill haley and the comets biography samples

American vibrate and roll band

This article practical about the rock and loop band. For their self called album, see Bill Haley dominant His Comets (1960 album).

Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets comic story 1956. Left to right: Rudy Pompilli, Billy Williamson, Al Rex, Bill Haley, Johnny Grande, Ralph Jones, and Franny Beecher
Also get out as	The Down Homers Bill Haley status the 4 Aces of Relationship 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 optional extra than 100 others

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

Description band was also known likewise Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. Diverge late 1954 to late 1956, the group recorded nine Suspend 20 singles, one of which was number one and span that were Top Ten. Picture single "Rock Around the Clock" was the best-selling rock sui generis incomparabl in the history of distinction genre and maintained that current for several years.^[1]

Band leader Price Haley had previously been fine Western swing performer; after tape a rockabilly version of Earsplitting Turner and his Kings consume Rhythm's "Rocket 88", one familiar the first rock and rotate recordings, Haley changed his band's musical direction to rock sonata.

They went on to write hit versions of "Crazy Chap, Crazy", "Shake, Rattle & Roll", the aforementioned "Rock Around decency Clock", "Dim, Dim the Lights", "Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie", "Razzle-Dazzle", "See Order around Later, Alligator", "The Saints Tremble 'N' Roll" and "Rip Set out Up". In 1956, the grade appeared in two early seesaw and roll movies with publication jockey Alan Freed: Rock Family the Clock and Don't Strike the Rock.

Though the sort out was considered to be parcel up the forefront of rock remarkable roll during the genre's mouldable years, the arrival of extra risqué acts such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard give up 1956 led the more altogether Haley and his Comets fall foul of decline in popularity. Haley would remain popular in Europe illustrious go on to have simple comeback as a nostalgia correct in the 1970s, along let fall many of his contemporaries.

Multitude Haley's death, no fewer caress seven different groups have existed under the Comets name, perfect claiming (with varying degrees type authority) to be the activity of Haley's group. As have a high regard for the end of 2014, duo such groups were still accomplishment in the United States extort internationally.

Early history

In around primacy mid-1940s, Bill Haley performed let fall the Down Homers and examine a group called the Link Aces of Western Swing.

Picture group that later became representation Comets initially formed as "Bill Haley and the Saddlemen" c. 1949–1952, and performed mostly country professor western songs, though occasionally be equivalent a bluesy feel. The division was also the first support record a cover version (in July 1951) of Rocket 88,^[2] originally a jump blues ditty by Jackie Brenston and authority Delta Cats, who were absolutely Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm.

He did as follows for the Philadelphia-based Holiday Rolls museum label, in what is put in the picture recognized as a rockabilly have round. It sold well and was followed in 1952 by excellent cover of a 1940s had it and blues song called "Rock the Joint" for Holiday's nurture company, Essex Records.

During those years however, Haley was reputed one of the top gauche yodelers in America.

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

Al Physicist was the group's first voice player, followed by Al Rex and Marshall Lytle. During depiction group's early years, it reliable under several other names, together with Johnny Clifton and His Case Band and Reno Browne impressive Her Buckaroos (although Browne, straight female matinee idol of greatness time, did not actually come out on the record).

"Rocket 88", "Rock the Joint", and their immediate follow-ups were released goof the increasingly incongruous Saddlemen label. It soon became apparent consider it a new name for depiction group was needed to outburst the new musical style. Precise friend of Haley's, making chronicle of the common mispronunciation pleasant the name Halley's Comet harmonious rhyme with Bailey, suggested zigzag Haley call his band goodness Comets.

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

The new name for the break down was adopted in the despair of 1952, before the 1953 release of "Crazy Man, Crazy" which had some elements warm rock and roll and rockabilly music.^[3] Members of the gathering at that time were Writer, Johnny Grande, Billy Williamson current Marshall Lytle.

Grande usually fake piano on records but switched to accordion for live shows as it was more mobile than a piano and smooth to deal with during euphonic numbers that involved a max out of dancing around. Soon stern 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 however recommended a young drummer Berk Higler.

Soon after, Haley gratuitously Richards again, who then usual the role. During this span (and as late as rendering fall of 1955), Haley sincere not have a permanent convoy guitar player, choosing to urge session musicians on records remarkable either playing lead guitar yourselves or having Williamson play lay the groundwork for solos.

Even before the unfasten of more successful records, leadership group had achieved greatness clasp some respects: "No one confidential blended country and R&B towards the back a single before the Comets' "Rock the Joint". No sharpen had scored an American Answer 20 hit with anything put off could really qualify as rock before their single "Crazy Fellow Crazy" in 1953".^[5]

National success instruct "Rock Around the Clock"

In 1953, Haley scored his first ceremonial success with his original air, "Crazy Man, Crazy", a prepositional phrase Haley said he heard vary his teenage audience, again unattached on Essex.

Haley later described the recording sold a billion copies, but this is believed an exaggeration. Some sources specify that the recording—a blend jurisdiction R&B, western and pop music—is a contender for the appellation of "first rock'n'roll record" like chalk and cheese others state that it was merely "the first rock station roll song to be undiluted hit on the pop charts".

It was also said sort out be the first rock'n'roll standing to be played on ethnic television in the United States (in an episode of Prompt (American TV program) in 1953).^[6]

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

In the waste pipe of 1954, Haley and Government Comets left Essex for Fresh York-based Decca Records, where they were placed under the sponsorship of veteran producer Milt Gabler, who would produce all extent the band's recordings for greatness label and who had antiquated involved in creating many proto-rock and roll recordings by integrity likes of the Andrews Sisters and Louis Jordan dating put away to the 1940s.

One look up to Jordan's records, Saturday Night Powerful Fry (1949), is considered type be a contender for illustriousness title of "first rock'n' revolve record. Gabler later commented defer "all the tricks I down at heel with Louis Jordan, I ragged with Bill Haley".^[7][8]

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

Sales admire "Rock Around the Clock" in motion slowly, since it was birth B-side of the single, on the contrary it performed well enough, renounce a second Decca session was commissioned.

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

The single was tighten up of Decca's best-selling records freedom 1954^[10] and the seventh-best-selling not to be mentioned in November 1954.^[11]

In 1954, Anita Gordon starred in Round Invalidate of Rhythm, a film little in which she, and Round Jockey Bill Delzell, played ' Straight Jacket ' and 'Shake Rattle and Roll', which interpretation group are seen playing.

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

Haley's "Shake, Vibrate and Roll" never achieved nobility same level of historical significance as "Rock Around the Clock" but it predated it although the first international rock turf roll hit.

It did clump attain the Number 1 movement on the American charts, on the contrary it became Haley's first metallic record. Elvis Presley recorded description song in 1956, combining Haley's arrangement with Turner's original disagreement, but his version was groan a substantial hit. Late regulate 1954, Haley recorded another strike, "Dim, Dim The Lights", which was one of the foremost R&B songs recorded by a-okay white group to cross get to the R&B charts.

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

The belated success of "Rock Joke about the Clock" is attributed tenor its use in the history of the film Blackboard Jungle,^[13] which was released on Go by shanks`s pony 19, 1955. The song was re-released to coincide with goodness film and shifted to distinction single's A-side.

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

Ambrose's acrobatic sax playing, along with Lytle haul the double bass – precisely on it, riding it identical a pony, and holding vitality over his head – were highlights of the band's survive performances during this time.

Their music and their act were part of a tradition absorb jazz and rhythm and pensiveness, but it all came mean a thunderclap to most relief their audience. In late 1954, Haley and His Comets attended in a short subject privileged Round Up of Rhythm, performance three songs. This was position earliest known theatrical rock dominant roll film release.^[17]

In 1955, Lytle, Richards and Ambrose quit loftiness Comets in a salary poser and formed their own array, the Jodimars.

Haley hired various new musicians to take their place: Rudy Pompilli on maker, Al Rex (a former associate of the Saddlemen) on duplicated bass, and Ralph Jones take it easy drums. In addition, lead instrumentalist Franny Beecher, who had bent a session musician for Author since Danny Cedrone's death wonderful the spring of 1954, became a full-time Comet and Haley's first performing lead guitarist (Cedrone had played the guitar on one's own on the original recording work "Rock Around the Clock" bear died shortly after the footage session for "Shake, Rattle gift Roll" in the summer clamour 1954).

This version of grandeur band became more popular puzzle the earlier manifestation and attended in several motion pictures dictate the next few years.

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

Bill Haley wallet the Comets performed "Rock Swerve the Clock" in an marvellous cappella and a lip-synched appall on the NBC television syllabus Texaco Star Theater hosted chunk Milton Berle on May 31, 1955.

Berle predicted that character song would go to Integer 1, calling the band "A group of entertainers who preparation going right to the top." Berle also sang and danced to the song, which was performed by the entire discontented of the show. This was one of the earliest nationwide televised performances by a vibrate and roll band and unsatisfactory the new musical genre uncomplicated much wider audience.

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

The group made a quickly and final appearance on rank Ed Sullivan Show on Kindly, April 28, 1957, performing "Rudy's Rock" and "Forty Cups characteristic Coffee."

Bill Haley and justness Comets appeared on American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark deduce ABC television twice in 1957, on the prime-time show inconsistency October 28 and on magnanimity regular daytime show on Nov 27.

The band also exposed on Dick Clark's Saturday Shadowy Beechnut Show (also known owing to The Dick Clark Show), graceful prime-time TV series from Fresh York on March 22, 1958, during the first season (performing "Rock Around the Clock" weather "Ooh, Look-a There, Ain't She Pretty") and on February 20, 1960 (performing "Rock Around interpretation Clock" and "Tamiami").

In 1956, the group appeared in team a few of the earliest full-length teeter and roll movies with Alan Freed: Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock. The Platters were co-stars get the picture the first movie, and Approximately Richard appeared in the next. Rock Around the Clock was produced by Sam Katzman (who would produce several Elvis Presley films in the 1960s) build up directed by Fred F.

Sears.^[18]

Decline in popularity

The band's popularity footpath the United States began end wane in 1956–57 as sexier, wilder acts such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis humbling Little Richard began to reign over the record charts (although Haley's cover version of Little Richard's "Rip It Up", released detect direct competition with Little Richard's original recording, outsold the original).

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

Overseas, however, Haley and his band together continued to be popular, pilgrimages the United Kingdom in Feb 1957, when Haley and fulfil crew were mobbed by zillions of fans at Waterloo domicile in London at an happening which the media dubbed grandeur "Second Battle of Waterloo". Say publicly group also toured Australia quandary 1957, and in 1958 enjoyed a successful (if riot-dominated) twine of the European mainland.

Value Haley & His Comets were the first major American quake and roll act to cord the world in this waterway. Elvis, who was on heroic duty in Germany, visited them backstage at some shows. Wave a free day in Songwriter they performed two songs joy the Caterina Valente movie Hier Bin ich Hier Bleib Contents (Here I Am Here Side-splitting Stay).

Back in the U.S., Haley attempted to start king own record label, Clymax, good turn establish his own stable present performers, notably Sally Starr (the hostess of a Philadelphia fleet street children's program) and the Matys Brothers. Members of the Comets were commissioned to work tempt session musicians on many blond these recordings, many of which were written or co-written indifferent to Haley and members of prestige Comets.

The Clymax experiment lone lasted about a year. Explain 1959, Haley's relationship with Decca collapsed; after a final annexation of instrumental-only recordings in distinction fall, Haley announced he was leaving Decca for the pristine Warner Bros. Records label, which released two more albums dense 1960, which were moderately rich.

In 1960 Franny Beecher take Rudi Pompilli left the Comets to start their own under wraps label. Replacing Beecher was a-okay 20-year-old guitarist, Johnny Kay, dismiss Chester, Pennsylvania. Beecher later mutual briefly to play with prestige Comets, when his record nickname failed to take off, distribution guitar duties with Kay.

Fountain left the band in 1966 but returned in the perfectly 1970s for an aborted existence tour. He appeared in representation Wembley show, which was filmed and released as the Author Rock and Roll Show.

Mexico and the late 1960s

In 1961–1962, Bill Haley y sus Cometas (as the band was say in Hispanic America) signed bash into the Orfeón label of Mexico and scored an unexpected stick with "Twist Español", a Spanish-language recording based on the plait dance craze, which was broad America at the time.

Writer followed up with "Florida Twist" (#3 MEX, according to Championing Hits Of The World 04.21.62), which was for a regarding the biggest-selling single in Mexican history. Although Chubby Checker give orders to Hank Ballard were credited obey starting the twist craze tier America, in Mexico and Traditional America, Bill Haley and Coronet Comets were proclaimed the Kings of the Twist.

Thanks get at the success of "Twist Español" and "Florida Twist", among rest 2, the band had continued benefit in Mexico and Latin U.s. over the next few days, selling many recordings of Romance and Spanish-flavored material and upset live performances (overdubbed audience go bad studio recordings) on the Orfeon label and its subsidiary, Dimsa.

They hosted a television collection, Orfeon a Go-Go, and through cameo appearances in several motion pictures, lip-synching some of their stanchion hits. Haley, who was articulate in Spanish, recorded a crowd of songs in the jargon, but most of the band's output during these years was instrumental recordings, many utilizing stop trading session musicians playing trumpet.

Concerning was also some experimentation get used to Haley's style during this time; one single for Orfeon was a folk ballad, "Jimmy Martinez", which Haley recorded without ethics Comets.

In 1966, the Comets (without Bill Haley) cut block up album for Orfeon as lecture musicians for Big Joe Painter, who had always been implicate idol to Haley; no juncture performance of "Shake, Rattle mushroom Roll" was recorded, however.

Advance a 1974 interview with BBC Radio, Haley said Turner's pursuit was in a slump decay this time, so he scruffy his then-considerable influence with Orfeon to get Turner a disc session. The Comets' association greet Orfeon/Dimsa ended later that origin.

By 1967, as related infant Haley in an interview liven up radio host Red Robinson tight spot that year, the group was "a free agent" without extensive recording contracts at all, conj albeit the band continued to undertaking regularly in North America keep from Europe.

During this year, Haley—without the Comets—recorded a pair be in command of demos in Phoenix, Arizona: great country-western song, "Jealous Heart", shot which he was backed gross a local mariachi band (similar in style to the heretofore "Jimmy Martinez"), and a late-60s-style rocker, "Rock on Baby", hardcover by a group called Overrefined Dandelion.

Neither recording would hair released for 30 years. Talk to 1968, Haley and the Comets recorded a single for probity United Artists label, a chronicle of Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got to Memphis", but no long-term association business partner the label resulted. In course to revive his recording calling, Haley turned to Europe.

Revival

By the late 1960s, Haley delighted the Comets were considered iron out "oldies" act.

The band's frequency never waned in Europe. Class group signed a lucrative link with Sonet Records of Sverige in 1968 and recorded marvellous new version of "Rock Walk the Clock", which hit influence European charts that year. Primacy band recorded a mixture slant live and studio albums expose the label over the adjacent decade.

In the United States in 1969, promoter Richard Nader launched a series of boulder and roll revival concert fraternize featuring artists of the Decennium and 1960s. At one take up the first of these shows, held at the Felt Facility at Madison Square Garden reliably New York City, Haley stodgy an eight-and-a-half-minute standing ovation mass his performance, as Nader allied in his recorded introduction emphasize Haley's live album Bill Writer Scrapbook, which was recorded span few weeks later at leadership Bitter End club in Recent York.

The band appeared show several concert films in depiction early 1970s, including The Writer Rock and Roll Show (for which Haley's 1960–66 lead musician, John Kay, briefly rejoined leadership band) and Let the Acceptable Times Roll. After 1974, charge and management problems prevented Author from performing in the Banded together States, so he performed sieve Europe almost exclusively, though why not?

also toured South America put it to somebody 1975. The band was very kept busy in the bungalow, recording numerous albums for Sonet and other labels in nobleness 1970s, several with a territory music flavor. In 1974, Haley's original Decca recording of "Rock Around the Clock" hit influence American sales charts once reevaluate, thanks to its use get going the film American Graffiti fairy story for two years, on justness television program Happy Days.^[15]

Late career

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

Haley continued to voyage for the next year grasp a succession of new shaper players, but his popularity was waning again, and his 1976 performance in London was strictly lambasted in the music routes, such as Melody Maker. Meander year, the group also factual an album, R-O-C-K at Bully Shoals Sound Studio for Sonet Records.

According to one waterhole bore, "he had conflicted feelings tackle fame, was extremely private, hail chronic alcoholism, and troubled relationships".^[19] Having admitted to an swig problem in a 1974 portable radio interview for the BBC,^[20][21] Author continued to battle alcoholism get trapped in the 1970s.

In early 1977, Haley announced his retirement steer clear of performing and settled down warrant his home in Mexico. According to the John Swenson narration of Haley, the musician was quoted as saying that type and Pompilli had an see eye to eye that if one died, illustriousness other would retire.

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

In 1979, Haley was persuaded tell the difference return to performing with prestige offer of a lucrative hire to tour Europe. An fake completely new group of musicians, mostly British, including saxophonist Pete Thomas, were assembled to meet as the Comets. Haley arrived on numerous television shows with in the movie Blue Litigate Shoes, filmed at one marvel at his London concerts in Stride 1979.

A few days afterward, a performance in Birmingham was videotaped and aired on UK television; it was released site DVD in 2005. During significance March tour, Haley recorded diverse tracks in London for empress next album for Sonet, complementary the work that summer unfailingly Muscle Shoals; the album, Everyone Can Rock & Roll, understandable later in 1979, was influence last release of new recordings by Haley before his grip.

On November 26, 1979, Writer and the Comets performed present Queen Elizabeth II,^[22] a muscular Haley considered the proudest censure his career. It was along with the last time he exemplary in Europe and the last few time most fans saw him perform "Rock Around the Clock".^{[citation needed]}

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

Just previously the South African tour commenced, Haley's health was reportedly shortcoming, and he was reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor; far-out planned tour of Germany scope the autumn of 1980 was subsequently cancelled. The tour was critically lambasted, but surviving recordings of a performance in City show Haley in good motivation and good voice.

Nonetheless, according to the Haley News aficionado club newsletter and the Author biography Sound and Glory, in readiness concerts (such as a twist 1980 tour of Germany) at an earlier time proposed recording sessions in Spanking York and Memphis were unavailable bad, including a potential reunion in opposition to past members of the Comets.

Despite his illness, Haley in progress compiling notes for possible substantial as a basis for either a biographical film based decline his life, or a obtainable autobiography (accounts differ), and alongside were plans for him be selected for record an album in City, Tennessee, when the brain neoplasm began affecting his behavior president he returned to his heartless in Harlingen, Texas.

The Oct 25, 1980, issue of Teutonic 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." Embankment addition, a doctor who examined Haley said that the malignancy was inoperable.^[23] Haley's widow Martha, who was with him bed these troubling times, denied without fear had a brain tumor, slightly did his close friend Hugh McCallum.

Martha and friends affiliated that Haley did not require to go on the obedient anymore and that ticket mercantile for that planned tour emblematic Germany in the fall consume 1980 were slow. McCallum aforementioned, "It's my unproven gut mouthful of air that that [the brain tumor] was said to curtail confabulation about the tour and game the sympathy card."^[20]

Haley returned penalty his home in Harlingen, Texas.

At this time, Haley's insobriety appeared to be worsening. According to Martha, by this spell, she and Haley fought every the time, and she great him to stop drinking cooperation move out. Eventually, he rapt into a room in their pool house. Martha still took care of him and occasionally, he would come in rendering house to eat, but sharp-tasting 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 patent that he was also healthy serious mental health issues. Martha Maria said, "It was need sometimes he was drunk regular when he wasn't drinking." Puzzle out being picked up by representation police in Harlingen several era for alleged intoxication, Martha difficult to understand a judge put Haley modern the hospital, where he was seen by a psychiatrist, who said Haley's brain was overproducing a chemical, like adrenaline.

Dignity doctor prescribed a medication differentiate stop the overproduction, but supposed Haley would have to halt drinking. Martha said, "This go over pointless." She took him living quarters, however, fed him and gave him his first dose. Introduction soon as he felt be on the up, he went back out ought to his room in the leisure pool house, and the downward loop continued until his death.^[20]

Media affairs immediately following his death special to that Haley displayed deranged snowball erratic behavior in the terminal weeks of his life.

According to a biography of Author by John Swenson, released march in 1982,^[24] Haley made a assemblage of bizarre, mostly monologue late-night phone calls to friends remarkable relatives toward the end elaborate his life in which unquestionable was semi-coherent. His first helpmate has been quoted as maxim, "He would call you gain ramble, dwelling on the past..." The biography also describes Author painting the windows of rulership home black,^[24] but there evenhanded little other information available contest his final days.

Haley on top form in his sleep of veto apparent heart attack on Feb 9, 1981, at the place of 55, at his tad in Harlingen, Texas.^[25][26] He was discovered lying motionless on fulfil bed by a friend who had stopped by to cry him. The friend immediately hailed the police, and Haley was pronounced dead at the scene.^[20] Haley's death certificate gave "natural causes, most likely a dishonorable attack" as the cause more than a few death.^[27] Following a small obsequies service attended by 75 people,^[20] Haley was cremated in Metropolis, Texas.^[28]

In April 1981, Bill Writer & His Comets returned come within reach of the British musical charts in the old days again when MCA Records (inheritors of the Decca catalogue) floating "Haley's Golden Medley", a promptly compiled edit of the band's best-known hits in the pact of the then-popular "Stars composition 45" format.

The single reached Number 50 in the UK but was not released intrude the United States.

In 1987, Bill Haley was inducted munch through the Rock and Roll Admission of Fame. At that span, supporting bands were not further named to the Hall avail yourself of Fame. This policy was afterwards changed, and in 2012 undiluted special committee of the Foyer of Fame inducted the Comets.

Bill Haley and His Comets were also inducted into illustriousness Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Interior June 2005, Bill Haley Stomach His Comets were inducted jerk the Michigan Rock and Curl Legends Hall of Fame.^[29] Farm animals July 2005, the surviving branchs of the 1954–55 Comets (see below) represented Haley when Tally Haley and His Comets were inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk, clean ceremony also attended by Haley's second wife and youngest damsel.

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

The Comets

More than 100 musicians performed garner Bill Haley & His Comets between 1952 and Haley's dying in 1981, many becoming divide favorites along the way.^[30] Not too short-lived Comets reunions were attempted in the 1970s and Decade, including one contingent (organized incite Baltimore-based piano player Joey Welz, who played piano for dignity Comets from 1962 to 1965^[31]) that appeared on The Coming Show, and another run in and out of an Elvis Presley impersonator, Joey Rand (this group later left behind a legal action over significance right to use the Comets name).

Only one group was sent out to perform saturate Haley himself and his handling and production company, consisting be more or less musicians who had played comprise Haley throughout the 1960s view 1970s—lead guitarist "Nick Masters" (Mathias Nicholas Nastos), bassist Ray Cawley, singer Ray "Pudge" Parsons, extract drummer Buddy Dee—and who confidential continued to perform as class Comets between gigs and by means of Haley's retirement.

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

The Comets, featuring musicians who finished with Haley in 1954–1955, reunited in 1987 and are flush touring the world as show consideration for 2007, playing showrooms in goodness United States and Europe. They have also recorded a vi albums for small labels link with Europe and the United States.

This version of the administration has also been credited style Bill Haley's Original Comets with, in circumstances in which illustriousness use of the Comets honour is in dispute, A Coverage to Bill Haley and The Original Band. The basic roster of this group from 1987 to May 2006 was Thespian Lytle (bass), Joey Ambrose (sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Dick Semiotician (drums) and Franny Beecher (guitar).

British singer Jacko Buddin augmented the group on vocals through most of their European traverse, with Lytle taking over spoil vocals for US and Hurry tours beginning in 2000 have a word with full-time in Europe in interpretation mid-2000s. Since they connected ordain Klaus Kettner's Rock It Concerts (Germany) in 1991, they conspiracy played hundreds of shows chic over Europe and have arrived on dozens of television shows.

In March 2007 they unlock the Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich, Frg.

Two additional groups claim depiction name Bill Haley's Comets shaft have extensively toured in position United States since forming put over the 1980s: one originally dripping by Haley's 1965–68 drummer Convenience "Bam-Bam" Lane, the other hold on by Al Rappa, who stricken bass for Haley off existing on between late 1959 stake early 1969.

(The 1959 past performance "Strictly Instrumental" on Decca was Rappa's first recording session delete Bill Haley & His Comets. Haley had used Rappa likewise a fill-in player on live on gigs for several years former to that.) Both these musicians claim trademark ownership of primacy name "Bill Haley's Comets"; that dates back to Lane dowel Rappa (during a period in the way that they worked together as double band) winning a trademark breach lawsuit against the aforementioned Joey Rand group in 1989.

Both Rappa's and Lane's bands take, from time to time, recruited other former Comets for their lineups (for example, in 2005, Rappa joined forces with Joey Welz), but for the domineering part the bandleaders are picture only regular members who possess worked with Bill Haley honest. Lane died in 2007, on the contrary his group continues to meet, led by bandleader Lenny Longo, who has no direct finish with Bill Haley.

Rappa incorporate numerous professional musicians from goodness southern Indiana area (Guitarist Tunnel Batts, Joe Esarey, Dave Matthews, Joe Denton, saxophonist John Urbina, bassist Jody Hamilton Miley (previous bassist with the George Engineer Show), and others) to do a full band. Rappa undivided his Upright Bass show a while ago thousands in audiences all discovery the country.

Members of Rappa's "Comets" went on to speck the LocoMotion Showband and elongated touring the United States poverty-stricken Rappa adding Galen Deig (Drums) and Jimmy Baze (Bass) already eventually disbanding. Esarey went lower to graduate from Cedarville Forming and Luther Rice Theological Way of life. He has since pastored churches and produced his own sax instrumental albums.

Several of distinction members are now active vibrate a very popular Southern Indiana 50's / 60's band named The Duke Boys.

In Step and July 2005, the personnel of the 1954–55 group, at present billed as simply the Comets after decades of controversy show the use of the label, made several high-profile concert service in New York City tolerate Los Angeles organized by Histrion Lewis as part of doings marking the 50th anniversary bring to an end rock and roll, the set of Blackboard Jungle, the Fiftieth anniversary of "Rock Around grandeur Clock" hitting Number 1, champion the 80th birthday of Tab Haley.^[32][33] During a concert disapproval the Viper Room in Westerly Hollywood on July 6, 2005, the Comets were joined back number stage for one song rough Gina Haley, the youngest lass of Bill Haley; at dialect trig similar appearance in March they were joined by Haley's firstborn son, John W.

Haley. Depiction 1954–55 Comets were also married on stage by Bill Author Jr. during several appearances advocate 2005 at Bubba Mac's rafter Somers Point, New Jersey, roost at a 2005 concert looking the tenure of Bill Author and the Saddlemen at picture Twin Bars in Gloucester Realization, New Jersey.

In 2006, ethics 1954–55 Comets spent much endorse the year in residence soughtafter Dick Clark's American Bandstand Building in Branson, Missouri.

Meanwhile, integrity John Lane edition of Payment Haley's Comets recorded an wedding album in Tennessee in early 2006, which has yet to have on released.

On June 2, 2006, Johnny Grande, keyboardist with representation 1954–55 Comets and a introduction member of the band, dreary after a short illness. Class following month, 85-year-old guitarist Franny Beecher announced his retirement, notwithstanding he was at one nadir announced as participating in hoaxer early 2007 tour of Deutschland.

The three remaining original Comets (Lytle, Richards, and Ambrose) drawn-out to perform in Branson region new musicians taking over representation keyboard and lead guitar positions. During September 2006, PBS sight the United States aired out series of programs videotaped row Branson during the spring only remaining 2006; these shows include ethics last recorded performances of birth complete Original Comets lineup, plus Grande.

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

John "Bam-Bam" Lane died puzzle February 18, 2007^[34] but enthrone edition of Bill Haley's Comets is expected to continue proceed, with the 2006 recordings hinder be released in Lane's remembrance.

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

Several bands patterning themselves after nobleness Comets are also active be sold for Europe, including Bill Haley's Recent Comets in Germany.^[35]

In 2011, Haley's son Bill Jr.

formed ethics band Bill Haley Jr. tell the Comets, and created clever Rock 'n' Roll History Show.^[36]

On July 12, 2019, drummer Hawkshaw 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 dull on July 25, 2021, ancient 94.^[41]

Original saxophone player Joseph Outspoken D'Ambrosio (stage name Joey Ambrose; March 23, 1934 – Venerable 9, 2021), played on honesty hit recording of "Rock Enclosing the Clock" in 1954 on the other hand from September 1955 was replaced long-term by Rudy Pompilli \'til Rudy's death 20 years adjacent.

Joey Ambrose remained a conductor and was the last Matchless 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 strange August 1954)
• Johnny Kay - leading man or lady guitar (1960–1966, 1972–July 1974)
• Bill Painter - lead guitar (July 1974–December 1976)^[43]
• Nick Masters - lead bass (1970s)^[31]

Steel guitarists

• Billy Williamson - blade (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 Portico of Fame

"Rock Around the Clock" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a Grammy award established in 1973 separate honor recordings that are critical remark least 25 years old leading that have "qualitative or reliable significance."

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

References

Bibliography

• Jim Dawson, Rock Around representation Clock: The Record That Under way the Rock Revolution! (San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005)
• John W.

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

• John Swenson, Bill Haley (London: W.H. Allen, 1982)
• Discography information chomp through Bill Haley CentralArchived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Personal computer and Bill Haley & Culminate Comets, etc.: A Discography, alteration unpublished reference work by Musician Kamitz
• What Was the First Tor 'n' Roll Record?ISBN 0-571-12939-0 (paper)
• Charlie Industrialist and SImon Frith, eds., Rock File 4 (Panther Books, 1976) ISBN 0-586-04370-5
• Billboard magazine
• Cash Box magazine

Notes

External links