Bill Haley & His Comets were pivotal figures in the early rock and roll scene of the 1950s. Frontman Bill Haley, born on July 6, 1925, in Highland Park, Michigan, was a country music singer and guitarist who gradually shifted towards a new sound that blended country, R&B, and boogie-woogie. This new genre came to be known as rock and roll, and Haley was at its forefront. The band formed as Bill Haley and the Saddlemen in the late 1940s but became Bill Haley & His Comets in 1952. They gained enormous success with their 1954 hit "Rock Around the Clock," which became a rock and roll anthem after it was used in the opening credits of the movie "Blackboard Jungle."

The Comets – with their energetic performances and catchy tunes – were one of the first groups to bring this rebellious new genre to a wider, mainstream audience. Songs like "See You Later, Alligator," and live showstoppers such as "Rock Around The Clock" and "Forty Cups of Coffee," showcased the band's dynamic energy and Haley's charismatic showmanship. Pioneers of the rock music video concept, the band appeared in short musical films that helped to cement their international fame. Over the years, the lineup of The Comets changed several times, but the spirit of innovation and excitement that they brought to music persisted. Bill Haley's death on February 9, 1981, marked the end of an era, but the band continued to perform and record, preserving Haley's legacy. Albums like "From The Original Master Tapes" and collections such as "Bill Haley's Scrapbook" offer fans a glimpse into the rich history of one of rock and roll's early architects. Haley’s contributions to the genre remain a benchmark for the energy and spirit that symbolize early rock and roll.

Genres

Rock-and-roll

Rockabilly

Related Artists

Chuck Berry

Elvis Presley

Little Richard

Jerry Lee Lewis

Buddy Holly

Eddie Cochran

Fats Domino

The Everly Brothers

Gene Vincent

Carl Perkins

Bo Diddley

Ritchie Valens

Latest Release

See You Later, Alligator

Bill Haley & His Comets

Single - Released March 31, 2023