Home > Bill Haley

He was born William John Clifton Haley in Highland Park, Michigan and was raised in Pennsylvania (some sources append "Junior" to his name, but his eldest son states that this is erroneous). In 1946, Haley joined his first professional group, a country band called the Down Homers, after which he set out on his own. He made a number of unsuccessful country music singles in the 1940s, for several labels, including Cowboy Records 1948- 1949 whilst working as a touring musician and later a DJ. In 1951 he and his band, The Saddlemen, changed styles, recording cover versions of Jackie Brenston's " Rocket 88" and "Rock this Joint". The relative success of the latter of these convinced Haley that he could be a successful rock and roller. In 1952Summary of notable events in 1952 . Events January events January 8 West Germany has 8 million refugees inside its borders. January 24 Sudden heavy snowfall in Algeria. January 24 Vincent Massey sworn in as first Canada-born Governor-General of Canada. The Saddlemen became Bill Haley & His CometsBill Haley and his Comets was a rock and roll band of the 50s led by guitarist Bill Haley, one of the earliest groups of white musicians to record rock and roll bring it to the attention of white America and the rest of the world. Haley was a country perf, and in 1953 Haley's recording of his original composition, "Crazy Man Crazy" became the first rock and roll song to hit the American charts.

In 1953, a song entitled Rock Around the ClockRock Around the Clock is a pop song from 1953. Although first recorded by Sonny Dae & the Knights, the more famous version by Bill Haley and his Comets is not strictly speaking a cover version as the song had been written specifically for Haley, but for v was written for Haley, but he was unable to record it until April 12, 1954. Initially, it was unsuccessful, but Haley soon scored a major worldwide hit with a cover version of Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" which went on to sell a million copies. Haley and his band were important in launching the music known as "Rock and Roll" to a wider (white) audience after years of it being considered an underground movement. When "Rock Around the Clock" appeared on the soundtrack of the 1955 film Blackboard JungleBlackboard Jungle (external link) Written by: Richard Brooks, based on the novel by Evan Hunter Starring: Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow Directed by: Richard Brooks Photography by: Russell Harlan Art direction by: Cedric Gibbons and Randall Duell, it launched a musical revolution and opened the doors for the likes of Elvis PresleyElvis Aron Presley ( January 8, 1935 August 16, 1977), known as The King of Rock and Roll, or as just "The King", was an American singer who had an immeasurable effect on world culture. He started his career under the name the Hillbilly Cat and was later. Haley continued to score hits throughout the 1950s such as "See You Later Alligator" and he starred in the first rock and roll musical movies. His star was soon surpassed in the USA by the younger, sexier Elvis, but Haley continued to be a major star in Latin America and in Europe for the rest of his career. He made his final performances in South AfricaSouth Africa is a republic at the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland. Lesotho is contained entirely inside the borders of South Africa. South Africa is one o in 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of FameLake Erie in the background The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum in Cleveland, Ohio dedicated, as the name suggests, to recording the history of some of the best-known and most influential rock and roll performers, producers, and other pe in 1986.

Haley's original Comets from 1954 and 1955 still tour the world to packed houses. Despite ranging in age from 70 to 82, the band shows no sign of slowing down and recently released a concert DVD.

Some sources state that Haley was born in 1927Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 See also 1927 in aviation 1927 in film 1927 in literature 1927 in mu, which is due to Haley knocking two years off his age for publicity purposes in the 1950s. A few sources erroneously give a birth year of 1924.

Note: the article Bill Haley & His Comets includes more detailed biographical information on Haley's career.