Haley, Bill

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{{Infobox musical artist
 
{{Infobox musical artist
 
|Name = Bill Haley
 
|Name = Bill Haley
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|Img = Bill Haley, 1974, Liége 1.jpg
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|Img = Bill-Haely-with-Elvis.jpg
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|Img_capt = Bill Haley and His Comets in concert at [[Liège (city)|Liège]], [[Belgium]] May 1974.
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|Img_capt = Bill Haley with Elvis Presley backstage at a concert in Frankfurt, Germany
 
|Background = solo_singer
 
|Background = solo_singer
 
|Birth_name = '''William John Clifton Haley'''
 
|Birth_name = '''William John Clifton Haley'''
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|Associated_acts = [[Bill Haley & His Comets]], [[The Down Homers]], [[The Jodimars]]
 
|Associated_acts = [[Bill Haley & His Comets]], [[The Down Homers]], [[The Jodimars]]
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Bill Haley''' (July 6, 1925 - February 9, 1981) was one of the first [[United States|American]] [[rock and roll]] musicians, brought this form of music into the American mainstream in the mid-1950s with the hit song, "[[Rock Around the Clock]]." With his group [[Bill Haley & His Comets]] Haley expanded the appeal of rock and roll to a much wider audience after years of the style being relegated to the [[R & B]] and [[rockabilly]] markets.
  
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'''Bill Haley''' ({{pronounced|ˈheɪliː}}) (July 6, 1925 – February 9, 1981) was one of the first [[United States|American]] [[rock-and-roll]] musicians, and is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the mid-1950s with his group [[Bill Haley & His Comets]] and their hit song ''[[Rock Around the Clock]]''.
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After a mildly successful career as a [[western swing]] performer in the later 1940s, Haley began performing in the [[rockabilly]] genre in the early 1950s and scored a major hit with a cover of Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" in 1954. When "Rock Around the Clock" appeared in the 1955 film, ''Blackboard Jungle,'' it rocketed to the top of the U.S. Billboard charts for eight weeks, beginning a musical revolution that ushered in the rock and roll era. He had several other hits, including "See You Later Alligator," but was soon eclipsed by younger stars, such as [[Elvis Presley]] and others.
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{{toc}}
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Haley was posthumously inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1987.
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Haley continued to record and tour, and his career received a boost during the rock and roll revival movement of the 1970s. He died  in 1981, after suffering a brain tumor. In 1987, Haley was posthumously inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].
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==Biography==
 
==Biography==
 
===Early life and career===
 
===Early life and career===
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Haley was born '''William John Clifton Haley''' (some sources append "Junior" to his name, but his eldest son states that this is erroneous) in [[Highland Park, Michigan]] and raised in [[Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Booth's Corner, Pennsylvania]]. Many sources (almost universally predating his death in 1981) state that Haley was born in 1927, which is due to Haley knocking two years off his age for publicity purposes in the 1950s. A few recent sources erroneously give a birth year of 1924.
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Haley was born William John Clifton Haley in [[Highland Park, Michigan]], and raised in [[Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Booth's Corner, Pennsylvania]]. Many sources state that Haley was born in 1927, apparently due to Haley taking two years off his age for publicity purposes in the 1950s. Several sources append "Junior" to his name, but his eldest son had stated that this is erroneous.
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Haley was blinded in his left eye as a child due to a botched operation. According to biographer [[John Swenson]], Haley later adopted his distinctive spit-curl hairstyle to distract attention from his blind eye. The spit-curl caught on as a fifties-style signature, although Haley and others had worn the hairstyle much earlier.
 
  
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In 1946, Haley joined his first professional group, a Pennsylvania-based [[western swing]] band called the [[Down Homers]] run by [[Kenny Roberts (musician)|Kenny Roberts]]. It has often been reported in musical reference works that Haley's first professional recordings were made with the Down Homers on a pair of singles released in 1946 by [[Vogue Records]]. [http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/pa/vr736.html] This was later debunked by Roberts and others, stating Haley had already left the group by the time the singles were made. In the early 2000s, however, a set of 1946 radio recordings by the Down Homers were discovered and Haley is definitely present as he is identified by name and sings a solo number "She Taught Me to Yodel;" these recordings were commercially released for the first time in 2006.  
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Haley was blinded in his left eye as a child due to a failed operation. According to biographer [[John Swenson]], Haley later adopted his distinctive spit-curl hairstyle to distract attention from his blind eye. The hair style caught on as a 50s-style signature, although Haley and others had worn the hairstyle much earlier.
  
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When Haley gigged and became experienced on the professional music front, he created several groups. These included the Four Aces of Western Swing and the Range Drifters. With the Four Aces, he made some country hit [[Single (music)|singles]] in the late 1940s for [[Cowboy Records]] while working as a touring musician and, beginning in 1947 as musical director [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BillHaley.html][http://www.oldchesterpa.com/wdrf.htm] at [[WPWA]]. (Many of Haley's early recordings from this period would not be released until after his death.)
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In 1946, Haley joined his first professional group, a Pennsylvania-based [[western swing]] band called the [[Down Homers]]. As Haley became experienced on the professional music scene, he created several groups. These included the Four Aces of Western Swing and the Range Drifters. With the Four Aces, he made some country hit [[Single (music)|singles]] in the late 1940s, for [[Cowboy Records]]. During this time he worked as a touring musician and, beginning in 1947, as musical director at radio station WPWA in Philadelphia. Many of Haley's early recordings from this period would not be released until after his death.  
  
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After disbanding the Four Aces and briefly trying a solo career using the names Jack Haley and Johnny Clifton (as chronicled in the biography ''Sound and Glory''), Haley formed a new group called '''The Saddlemen''' in either 1949 or 1950 (sources vary as to the exact year); this new group recorded for several labels, including one single for [[Atlantic Records]].
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After disbanding the Four Aces and briefly trying a solo career using the names Jack Haley and Johnny Clifton, Haley formed a new group called the Saddlemen around 1950, recording for several labels.
  
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Haley was signed to [[Dave Miller (producer)|Dave Miller]]'s Philadelphia-based [[Holiday Records]] in 1951 and began to change musical styles, recording [[Rocket 88]] (originally by [[Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats]]), and in, 1952, "[[Rock the Joint]]," previously recorded by several bands including [[Jimmy Preston and His Prestonians]]. (By the time of "Rock the Joint," Haley had graduated from Holiday Records to Miller's larger Essex label.[http://www.bsnpubs.com/miller/essex.html] The relative success of these recordings (both sold in the 75,000-100,000 copy range in the Pennsylvania-[[New England]] region) made Haley believe that the combination of rhythm and blues, along with country could be successful.
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In 1951, Haley was signed to [[Dave Miller (producer)|Dave Miller]]'s Philadelphia-based [[Holiday Records]] and began to move toward the [[rockabilly]] genre, recording "[[Rocket 88]]," and in, 1952, "[[Rock the Joint]]" for Miller's larger Essex label. These recordings both sold in the 75,000-100,000 range in the Pennsylvania-[[New England]] region.
  
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In 1951 Haley crossed paths with [[The Treniers]] while playing in Wildwood, NJ. After writing "Rock a Beatin' Boogie" The Treniers used the song in their live shows, and Haley arranged for the song to be recorded by two bands: in summer 1952 it was covered by the Esquire Boys (a band that featured Haley session guitarist Danny Cedrone),[http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/artists/e/esqu5000.htm] and in 1953 by The Treniers.[http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/book_excerpt.asp?bookid=14261][http://www.talentondisplay.com/TakeNote/149.html] Haley and The Comets did not record their own version of the song till 1955.[http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/artists/h/hale6200.htm]
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In 1951, Haley crossed paths with [[The Treniers]] while playing in Wildwood, New Jersey. Haley arranged for their song, "Rock a Beatin' Boogie," to be recorded by two bands: the Esquire Boys in 1952 and The Treniers themselves in 1953. (Bill Haley and The Comets did not record their own version of the song until 1955.)
  
 
===Bill Haley & His Comets===
 
===Bill Haley & His Comets===
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During the [[Labor Day]] weekend in 1952, The Saddlemen were renamed '''Bill Haley with Haley's Comets''' (inspired by a popular mispronunciation of [[Halley's Comet]]), and in 1953, Haley's recording of "[[Crazy Man, Crazy]]" (co-written by Haley and his bass player, [[Marshall Lytle]] although Lytle wouldn't receive credit until 2001) became the first rock and roll song to hit the American charts. Soon after, the band's name was revised to '''Bill Haley & His Comets.'''
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During the [[Labor Day]] weekend in 1952, the Saddlemen were renamed "Bill Haley with Haley's Comets," inspired by a popular mispronunciation of [[Halley's Comet]]. In 1953, Haley's recording of "[[Crazy Man, Crazy]]" hit the American charts, considered by many to be the first true "rock and roll" song to do so. Soon after, the band's name was revised to Bill Haley & His Comets.
  
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In 1953, a song called [[(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock|Rock Around the Clock]] was written for Haley (Dawson 2005). He was unable to record it until April 12, 1954. Initially, it was relatively unsuccessful staying at the charts for only one week, 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 and became the first ever rock'n'roll song to enter [[United Kingdom|British]] singles charts in December 1954 and became a Gold Record.  
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"[[(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock|Rock Around the Clock]]" was written for Haley in 1953, but he was unable to record it until April 12, 1954. Initially, it was relatively unsuccessful, remaining on the charts for only one week. However, 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 and became the first ever rock song to enter [[United Kingdom|British]] singles charts in December 1954 and became a Gold Record.  
  
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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 behind the opening credits of the 1955 film ''[[Blackboard Jungle]]'' starring [[Glenn Ford]], it soared to the top of the American ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'' charts for eight weeks, launching a musical revolution that opened the doors for the likes of [[Elvis Presley]].  
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Then, when "Rock Around the Clock" appeared behind the opening credits of the 1955 hit film, ''[[Blackboard Jungle]],'' starring [[Glenn Ford]], the song soared to the top of the American ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'' charts for eight weeks. It launched a musical revolution that opened the doors for the likes of [[Elvis Presley]] and others.  
  
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"Rock Around the Clock" was the first record ever to sell over one million copies in both Britain and Germany and, in 1957, Haley became the first major American rock singer to tour [[Europe]]. 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 ''[[Rock Around the Clock (film)|Rock Around the Clock]]'' and ''[[Don't Knock the Rock]]'', both in 1956. His star was soon surpassed in the United States by the younger, sexier Elvis, but Haley continued to be a major star in [[Latin America]], [[Mexico]], and in Europe throughout the 1960s.
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"Rock Around the Clock" was the first record ever to sell over one million copies in both Britain and Germany. Thus, in 1957, Haley became the first major American rock singer to tour [[Europe]]. 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, ''[[Rock Around the Clock (film)|Rock Around the Clock]]'' and ''[[Don't Knock the Rock]],'' both in 1956. His star was soon surpassed in the United States by the younger, sexier Elvis Presley, but Haley continued to be a major star in [[Latin America]], [[Mexico]], and Europe throughout the 1960s.
  
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===Death===
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===Later career and death===
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A self-admitted [[alcoholism|alcoholic]] (as indicated in a 1974 radio interview for the [[BBC]]), Haley fought a battle with liquor well into the 1970s. Nonetheless, he and his band continued to be a popular touring act, enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1960s with the [[Rock and Roll Revival]] movement and the signing of a lucrative record deal with the European [[Sonet Records]] label. After performing for [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] at a command performance in 1979, Haley made his final performances in [[South Africa]] in May and June of 1980.  
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[[Image:Bill Haley, 1974, Liége 1.jpg|thumb|250px|Bill Haley (right) and his Comets in 1974.]]
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A self-admitted [[alcoholism|alcoholic]], Haley fought a battle with liquor well into the 1970s. Nonetheless, he and his band continued to be a popular touring act, enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1960s with the rock and roll revival movement and signing of a lucrative record deal with the European [[Sonet Records]] label. After performing for [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] at a command performance in 1979, Haley made his final performances in [[South Africa]] in May and June of 1980.  
  
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Prior to the South African tour, he was diagnosed with a [[brain tumor]], and a planned tour of Germany in the fall of 1980 was canceled. Despite his ill health, Haley began compiling notes for possible use as a basis for either a biographical film based on his life, or a published autobiography (accounts differ), and there were plans for him to record an album in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], when the brain tumor began affecting his behavior and he retired to his home in [[Harlingen, Texas]] where he died early on the morning February 9, 1981.  
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Prior to the South African tour, he was diagnosed with a [[brain tumor]], and a planned tour of Germany in the fall of 1980 was canceled. He soon retired to his home in [[Harlingen, Texas]] where he died early on the morning February 9, 1981.  
  
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Media reports immediately following his death indicated Haley displayed deranged and erratic behavior in his final weeks, although beyond a biography of Haley by [[John Swenson]] released a year later which describes Haley painting the windows of his home black and making rambling late-night phone calls to friends and relatives, there is little information extant about Haley's final days. The exact cause of his death is controversial. Media reports, supported by Haley's death certificate (reproduced in the book ''Bill Haley: The Daddy of Rock and Roll'' by John Swenson), suggest he died of "natural causes most likely [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]." Members of Haley's family, however, contest that he died from the brain tumor.
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Media reports immediately following his death indicated Haley displayed deranged and erratic behavior in his final weeks, although there is little information about Haley's final days. The exact cause of his death is controversial. Media reports, supported by Haley's death certificate, suggest he died of "natural causes most likely [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]." Members of Haley's family, however, contest that he died from the brain tumor.
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Haley was posthumously inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1987.
 
  
 
==Children==
 
==Children==
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Married three times, Bill Haley had at least eight children. [[John W. Haley]], his eldest son, wrote ''Sound and Glory'', a biography of Haley, while his youngest daughter, [[Gina Haley]], is an up-and-coming musician based out of [[Los Angeles]]. [[Scott Haley]] is a noted athlete, while Bill's youngest son, [[Pedro Haley]], is also a musician-in-the-making.He also had a daughter (Martha Maria) from his last marriage with Mrs. Martha Velasco.
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Married three times, Bill Haley had at least eight children. [[John W. Haley]], his eldest son, wrote a biography of Haley, ''Sound and Glory,'' while his youngest daughter, [[Gina Haley]], is a musician based out of [[Los Angeles]]. [[Scott Haley]] went on to be a noted athlete. His second son, Bill Haley Jr. is currently writing a biography about his father, concentrating on the years 1949-1961.
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Bill Haley Jr. (b. 7/28/55), Bill's second son and first with Joan Barbara "Cuppy" Haley-Hahn, publishes a regional business magazine in Southeastern Pennsylvania (Route 422 Business Advisor). He sings and plays guitar with a band called "Lager Rhythms," and appeared with the "Original Comets" at the Bubba Mac Shack in Sommers Point, New Jersey in 2004 and 2005, and at the Twin Bar re-dedication ceremony in Gloucester, New Jersey in 2007. He is currently writing a biography about his father, concentrating on the years 1949-1961.
 
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
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Songwriters Tom Russell and Dave Alvin addressed Haley's sad demise in musical terms with "Haley's Comet" on Alvin's 1991 album "Blue Blvd." [[Dwight Yoakam]] sang backup on the tribute.
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Haley was posthumously inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1987. The remaining Comets from 1954 and 1955 still tour the world to packed houses. The group recleased a concert [[DVD]] in 2004, on Hydra Records, playing the trendy [[Viper Room]] in [[West Hollywood]] in 2005, and performing at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in [[Branson, Missouri]] in 2006-07. The Bill-Haley-Museum opened in Munich, Germany in 2007.
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Haley's original Comets from 1954 and 1955 still tour the world to packed houses. Despite ranging in age from 72 to 84, the band shows no sign of slowing down, releasing a concert [[DVD]] in 2004 on Hydra Records, playing the trendy [[Viper Room]] in [[West Hollywood]] in 2005, and performing at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in [[Branson, Missouri]] in 2006-07.
 
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In March 2007 The Original Comets pre opened the Bill-Haley-Museum in Munich Germany (Schleissheimerstr.321,München www.rockithydra.de). On October 27th, 2007 ex Comets guitar player Bill Turner opened the Bill-Haley-Museum for the public.The Museum keeps the legacy and importance of Bill Haley & His Comets alive. There are hundreds of photos, posters, books, instruments, gold records, business papers, and merchandise on display.
 
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===Asteroid===
 
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In February 2006, the [[International Astronomical Union]] announced the naming of [[asteroid]] [[79896 Billhaley]] to mark the 25th anniversary of Bill Haley's death.
 
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==Biographies==
 
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* In 1980, Haley began working on an autobiography entitled ''The Life and Times of Bill Haley'' but died after completing only 100 pages. The work is registered with the [[U.S. Copyright Office]] but has yet to be released to the public.
 
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* In 1982, [[John Swenson]] wrote ''Bill Haley: The Daddy of Rock and Roll'' (published in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] under the title, ''Bill Haley''), which is controversial among Haley fans for alleged inaccuracies.
 
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* In 1990, Haley's eldest son, [[John W. Haley]], along with [[John von Hoëlle]] wrote ''Sound and Glory'', a biography focusing mostly on Haley's early life and peak career years. This book is long out of print.
 
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* A [[German language|German]]-language biography was published soon after Haley's death, written by [[Peter Cornelsen]] and [[Harald D. Kain]].
 
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* A book on the history of Haley's most famous recording, ''Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution'' by [[Jim Dawson]] was published in June 2005 ([http://www.rockabillyhall.com/Extra.html#clockbook]).
 
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==Film portrayals==
 
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Unlike his contemporaries, Bill Haley has rarely been portrayed on screen. Following the success of ''[[The Buddy Holly Story]]'' in 1978, Haley expressed interest in having his life story committed to film, but this never came to fruition. In the 1980s and early 1990s, numerous media reports emerged that plans were underway to do a biopic based upon Haley's life, with [[Beau Bridges]], [[Jeff Bridges]] and [[John Ritter]] all at one point being mentioned as actors in line to play Haley (according to ''[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine Magazine]]'', Ritter attempted to buy the film rights to ''Sound and Glory'').
 
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Bill Haley has also been portrayed - not always in a positive light - in several "period" films:
 
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* [[John Paramor]] in ''[[Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe]]'' (1985)
 
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* [[Michael Daingerfield]] in ''[[Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story]]'' (1999)
 
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* [[Dicky Barrett]] (of [[The Mighty Mighty Bosstones]]) in ''[[Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story]]'' (also 1999)
 
  
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In March 2005, the [[United Kingdom|British]] network [[Sky TV]] [http://www.sky.com/showbiz/picture_gallery/0,,50004-1175946-2,00.html reported] that [[Tom Hanks]] was planning to produce a biopic on the life of Bill Haley, with production tentatively scheduled to begin in 2006. However this rumor was quickly debunked by Hanks.
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In February 2006, the [[International Astronomical Union]] announced the naming of [[asteroid]] [[79896 Billhaley]] to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bill Haley's death. Numerous biographies and histories have been written about Haley and his role in the development of rock and roll.
  
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==Discography==
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Unlike his contemporaries, Bill Haley has rarely been portrayed on screen. Following the success of ''[[The Buddy Holly Story]]'' in 1978, Haley expressed interest in having his life story committed to film, but this never came to fruition. In the 1980s and early 1990s, numerous media reports emerged that plans were underway to do a biopic based upon Haley's life, with [[Beau Bridges]], [[Jeff Bridges]] and [[John Ritter]] all at one point being mentioned as actors in line to play Haley (according to ''[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine Magazine]],'' Ritter attempted to buy the film rights to ''Sound and Glory''). In March 2005, the [[United Kingdom|British]] network [[Sky TV]] reported that [[Tom Hanks]] was planning to produce a biopic on the life of Bill Haley, with production tentatively scheduled to begin in 2006. However, this rumor was quickly debunked by Hanks.
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Prior to the formation of Bill Haley and the Saddlemen, which later became The Comets, Haley released several singles with other groups. Dates are approximate due to lack of documentation. (Source: the [http://www.billhaleycentral.com Bill Haley Database])
 
  
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== Discography ==
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===Early recordings===
 
As '''Bill Haley and the Four Aces of Western Swing'''
 
As '''Bill Haley and the Four Aces of Western Swing'''
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1948
 
1948
 
* Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals (vocal by [[Tex King]])/Four Leaf Clover Blues ([[Cowboy Records|Cowboy]] CR1201)
 
* Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals (vocal by [[Tex King]])/Four Leaf Clover Blues ([[Cowboy Records|Cowboy]] CR1201)
 
1949
 
1949
 
* Tennessee Border/Candy Kisses (Cowboy CR1202)
 
* Tennessee Border/Candy Kisses (Cowboy CR1202)
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As '''Johnny Clifton and His String Band'''
 
As '''Johnny Clifton and His String Band'''
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1949 or 1950
 
1949 or 1950
 
* Stand Up and Be Counted/Loveless Blues ([[Center Records|Center]] C102)
 
* Stand Up and Be Counted/Loveless Blues ([[Center Records|Center]] C102)
  
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Many Haley discographies list two 1946 recordings by the [[Down Homers]] released on the [[Vogue Records]] label as featuring Haley. Haley historian Chris Gardner, as well as surviving members of the group, have confirmed that the two singles: "Out Where the West Winds Blow"/"Who's Gonna Kiss You When I'm Gone" (Vogue R736) and "Boogie Woogie Yodel"/"Baby I Found Out All About You" (Vogue R786) do not feature Haley.[http://thegardnerfamily.org/haley/discography/recordings.html] However, the tracks were nonetheless included in the compilation box set ''Rock 'n' Roll Arrives'' released by [[Bear Family Records]] in 2006.
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===As Bill Haley and his Comets===
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==== Singles ====
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'''As Bill Haley & the Saddlemen''' (and variations of the name)
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1950
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* Deal Me a Hand/Ten Gallon Stetson ([[Keystone Records|Keystone]] 5101)
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* Susan Van Dusan/I'm Not to Blame (Keystone 5102)
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* Why Do I Cry Over You?/I'm Gonna Dry Ev'ry Tear With a Kiss ([[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] 727)
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* My Sweet Little Girl from Nevada/My Palomino and I ([[Cowboy Records|Cowboy]] 1701)—released as '''Reno Browne and Her Buckaroos'''
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1951
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* [[Rocket 88]]/Tearstains on My Heart ([[Holiday Records|Holiday]] 105)
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* Green Tree Boogie/Down Deep in My Heart (Holiday 108)
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* I'm Crying/Pretty Baby (Holiday 110)—with [[Loretta Glendenning]]
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* A Year Ago This Christmas/I Don't Want to Be Alone for Christmas (Holiday 111)
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1952
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* [[Wabash Cannonball|Jukebox Cannonball]]/Sundown Boogie (Holiday 113)
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* [[Rock the Joint]]/Icy Heart ([[Essex Records|Essex]] 303)
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* Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in Her Stockin') /Rocking Chair on the Moon (Essex 305)
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'''As Bill Haley & His Comets''' (and name variations thereof)
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1953
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* Stop Beatin' round the Mulberry Bush/Real Rock Drive (Essex 310)
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* [[Crazy Man, Crazy]]/Whatcha Gonna Do? (Essex 321)
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* [[Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man|Pat-a-Cake]]/Fractured (Essex 327)
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* Live it Up/Farewell-So Long-Goodbye (Essex 332)
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1954
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* I'll Be True/[[Ten Little Indians]] (Essex 340)
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* [[Chattanooga Choo Choo]]/Straight Jacket (Essex 348)
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* Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town)/ We're Gonna) [[Rock Around the Clock]] ([[Decca Records|Decca]] 29124)—"Rock Around the Clock" was initially released as the [[B-side]]
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* [[Shake, Rattle and Roll]]/ABC Boogie (Decca 29204)
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* Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)/Happy Baby (Decca 29317)
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* Yes Indeed!/Real Rock Drive ([[Essex Records|Transworld]] 718)
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1955
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* Mambo Rock/Birth of the Boogie (Decca 29418)
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* Razzle-Dazzle/Two Hound Dogs (Decca 29552)
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* Burn That Candle/Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie (Decca 29713)
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1956
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* [[See You Later Alligator]]/The Paper Boy (On Main Street U.S.A.) (Decca 29791)
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* [[When the Saints Go Marching In|The Saint's Rock 'n' Roll]]/R-O-C-K (Decca 29870)
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* Hot Dog Buddy Buddy/[[Rockin' Through the Rye]] (Decca 29948)
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* Rip it Up/Teenager's Mother (Are You Right?) (Decca 30028)
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* Rudy's Rock/Blue Comet Blues (Decca 30085)
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* [[Don't Knock the Rock]]/Choo Choo Ch'Boogie (Decca 30148)
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1957
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* Forty Cups of Coffee/Hook, Line and Sinker (Decca 30214)
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* (You Hit the Wrong Note) Billy Goat/Rockin' Rollin' Rover (Decca 30314)
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* The Dipsy Doodle/Miss You (Decca 30394)
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* Rock the Joint (a.k.a. New Rock the Joint [stereo])/How Many? (Decca 30461)
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* Mary, Mary Lou/It's a Sin (Decca 30530)
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1958
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* Skinny Minnie/Sway with Me (Decca 30592)
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* Lean Jean/Don't Nobody Move (Decca 30681)
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* Chiquita Linda (Un Poquito de tu Amor) /Whoa Mabel! (Decca 30741)
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* [[Corrine, Corrina]]/B.B. Betty (Decca 30781)
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1959
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* [[I Got a Woman]]/[[Charmaine (song)|Charmaine]] (Decca 30844)
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* (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I/Where'd You Go Last Night(Decca 30873)
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* Shaky/Caldonia (Decca 30926)
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* [[Joey's Song]]/[[Ooh! Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty?]] (Decca 30956)
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1960
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* [[Skokiaan]] (South African Song) /Puerto Rican Peddler (Decca 31030)
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* [[Music! Music! Music!]]/Strictly Instrumental (Decca 31080)
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* Candy Kisses/Tamiami ([[Warner Bros. Records]] 5145)
 +
* Hawk/Chick Safari (Warner Bros. 5154)
 +
* So Right Tonight/Let the Good Times Roll, Creole (Warner Bros. 5171)
 +
* Rock Around the Clock/Shake Rattle and Roll (new versions) (Warner Bros. no. unknown)
 +
1961
 +
* Honky Tonk/Flip, Flop and Fly (Warner Bros. 5228)
 +
* Riviera/War Paint (Gone 5116)
 +
* Twist Español/My Kind of Woman (Spanish version) ([[Orfeon Records|Orfeon]] 1010) [May 1961]
 +
* Cerca del Mar/Tren Nocturno (Orfeon 1036)
 +
* Florida Twist/Negra Consentida (Orfeon 1047)
 +
* Spanish Twist (English version) /My Kind of Woman ([[Gone Records|Gone]] 5111) [September 1961]
 +
1962
 +
* Caravan Twist/Actopan Twist (Orfeon 1052)
 +
* [[La Paloma]]/Silbando Y Caminando (Orfeon 1062)
 +
* Bikini Twist/Rudy's (Orfeon 1067)
 +
* Mas Twist/Tampico Twist (Orfeon 1082)
 +
* Twist Lento/Sonora Twist (Orfeon 1100)
 +
* Martha/Tacos de Twist (Orfeon 1132)
 +
* Jalisco Twist/Pueblo del Twist (Orfeon 1169)
 +
1963
 +
* Tenor Man/Up Goes My Love ([[Newtown Records|Newtown]] 5013)
 +
* White Parakeet/Midnight in Washington ([[Newtown Records|Newhits]] 5014)
 +
* Dance Around the Clock/What Can I Say (Newtown 5024)
 +
* Tandy/You Call Everybody Darling (Newtown 5025)
 +
* [[Yakety Sax]] (by Bill Haley & His Comets)/Boot's Blues (by [[Boots Randolph]] ([[Logo Records|Logo]] 7005)
 +
* ABC Boogie (new version) (by Haley) /Rock Around the Clock (by [[Phil Flowers]] ([[Kasey Records|Kasey]] 7006)
 +
* [[Mashed Potato|Pure de Papas]]/Anoche (Orfeon 1195)
 +
* El Madison de la Estrella/Viajando Con el Madison (Orfeon 1229)
 +
* Avenida Madison/Reunion de Etiqueta (Orfeon 1243)
 +
* Limbo Rock/Ana Maria (Orfeon 1269)
 +
1964
 +
* [[Green Door]]/Yeah, She's Evil! (Decca 31650)
 +
* Adios Mariquita Linda/El Quelite (Orfeon 1324)
 +
* Mish Mash/Madero y Gante (Orfeon 1333)
 +
* Jimmy Martinez/Al Compás del Reloj (Orfeon 1429)
 +
1965
 +
* Burn That Candle (new version)/Stop, Look and Listen ([[APT Records|APT]] 25081)
 +
* Tongue-Tied Tony/Haley-a-Go-Go (APT 25087)
 +
* A Gusto Contigo/Mish Mash (Orfeon 1570)
 +
1966
 +
* [[Land of a Thousand Dances]]/Estomago Caliente (Orfeon 1825)
 +
* Rock Around the Clock/Rip it Up (new versions) (Orfeon 1894)
 +
1968
 +
* That's How I Got to Memphis/Ain't Love Funny, Ha Ha Ha ([[United Artists Records|United Artists]] 50483)
 +
1970
 +
* Rock Around the Clock/Framed (live versions) ([[Kama Sutra Records|Kama Sutra]] 508)
 +
1971
 +
* Travelin' Band/A Little Piece at a Time ([[Janus Records|Janus]] J-162)
 +
* [[Me and Bobby McGee]]/I Wouldn't Have Missed it for the World ([[Sonet Records|Sonet]] 2016)
 +
1978
 +
* Yodel Your Blues Away/Within This Broken Heart of Mine (previously unissued pre-Comets recordings) ([[Arzee Records|Arzee]] 4677)
 +
1979
 +
* Hail Hail Rock and Roll/Let the Good Times Roll Again (Sonet 2188)
 +
* Everyone Can Rock and Roll/I Need the Music (Sonet 2194)
 +
1980
 +
* God Bless Rock and Roll/So Right Tonight (Sonet 2202)
 +
 
 +
==== Albums ====
 +
* 1956—''[[Rock 'n' Roll Stage Show]]'' (Decca 8345)
 +
* 1957—''[[Rockin' the Oldies]]'' (Decca 8569)
 +
* 1958—''[[Rockin' Around the World]]'' (Decca 8692)
 +
* 1959—''[[Bill Haley's Chicks]]'' (Decca 8821)
 +
* 1959—''[[Strictly Instrumental (album)|Strictly Instrumental]]'' (Decca 8964)
 +
* 1960—''[[Bill Haley and His Comets (1960 album)|Bill Haley and His Comets]]'' (Warner Bros. 1378)
 +
* 1960—''[[Haley's Juke Box]]'' (Warner Bros. 1391)
 +
* 1961—''Twist'' ([[Dimsa Records|Dimsa]] 8255)
 +
* 1961—''Bikini Twist'' (Dimsa 8259)
 +
* 1962—''Twistin' Knights at the Roundtable'' (live) ([[Roulette Records|Roulette]] SR-25174)
 +
* 1962—''Twist Vol. 2'' (Dimsa 8275)
 +
* 1962—''Twist en Mexico'' (Dimsa 8290)
 +
* 1963—''Bill Haley & His Comets'' (compilation with unreleased tracks) ([[Decca Records|Vocalion]] 3696)
 +
* 1963—''Rock Around the Clock King'' ([[Guest Star Records|Guest Star]] 1454)
 +
* 1963—''Madison'' (Orfeon 12339)
 +
* 1963—''Carnaval de Ritmos Modernos'' (Orfeon 12340)
 +
* 1964—''Surf Surf Surf'' (Orfeon 12354)
 +
* 1966—''Whiskey a Go-Go'' (Orfeon 12478)
 +
* 1966—''Bill Haley a Go-Go'' (Dimsa 8381)
 +
* 1968—''Biggest Hits'' (re-recordings plus new tracks) (Sonet 9945); issued in England as ''Rock Around the Clock'' (Hallmark SHM 668) and in North America as ''Rockin' ''(Pickwick SPC 3256)
 +
* 1968—''On Stage Vol. 1'' (live) (Sonet SLP63)
 +
* 1968—''On Stage Vol. 2'' (live) (Sonet SLP69)
 +
** The above two albums have been reissued in many forms, including by Janus Records as the two-album set, ''Razzle-Dazzle'' (Janus 7003), a numerous releases on the Pickwick and Hallmark labels.
 +
* 1970—''Bill Haley Scrapbook'' (live) (Kama Sutra/Buddah 2014)
 +
* 1971—''Rock Around the Country'' (Sonet 623); issued in North America by GNP-Crescendo (LP 2097) and as ''Travelin' Band'' on Janus (JLS 3035)
 +
* 1973—''Just Rock 'n' Roll Music'' (Sonet 645); issued in North America by GNP-Crescendo (LP 2077)
 +
* 1974—''Live in London '74'' (live) ([[Antic Records|Antic]] 51501)
 +
* 1975—''Golden Favorites'' (compilation with unreleased tracks) ([[MCA Records|MCA Coral]] 7845P)
 +
* 1976—''Rudy's Rock: The Sax That Changed the World'' (billed as '''Rudy Pompilli and the Comets;''' recorded without Haley) (Sonet 696)
 +
* 1976—''R-O-C-K'' (re-recordings) (Sonet 710)
 +
* 1978—''Golden Country Origins'' (previously unissued pre-Comets recordings) (Grassroots Records)
 +
* 1979—''Everyone Can Rock and Roll'' (Sonet 808)
  
−
:''See the discography section of [[Bill Haley & His Comets]] for a list of the singles and album releases made by Haley with the Saddlemen and the Comets from 1950 onwards.''
+
Other notable album releases by the group included  ''[[Rock with Bill Haley and the Comets]]'' (Essex 102; 1954), ''[[Shake, Rattle and Roll (album)|Shake, Rattle and Roll]]'' (Decca DL5560; 1955), ''[[Rock Around the Clock (album)|Rock Around the Clock]]'' (Decca DL8225; 1956), and ''[[Rockin' the Joint (Bill Haley & His Comets album)|Rockin' the Joint]]'' (Decca DL8775; 1958). These were all compilations of previously issued material.
  
−
===Unreleased recordings===
+
=== Unreleased recordings ===
−
Bill Haley recorded prolifically during the 1940s, often at the radio stations where he worked, or in formal studio settings. Virtually none of these recordings were ever released. Liner notes for a 2003 CD release by [[Hydra Records]] entitled ''Bill Haley and Friends Vol. 2: The Legendary Cowboy Recordings'' reveal that several additional Cowboy label single releases were planned for the Four Aces, but this never occurred.  
+
Notable discoveries that have been commercially released have included:
 +
* Several 1946 radio recordings Haley made with the Down Homers (''Rock n' Roll Arrives'' box set, Bear Family Records, 2006);
 +
* A large cache of country-western recordings made by Haley in the 1946-51 era, before the formation of the Comets (also released on ''Rock 'n' Roll Arrives'')
 +
* An April 1955 concert in [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], including the earliest known live recordings of "Rock Around the Clock" (''Rock 'n' Roll Show'', Hydra Records, 1995)
 +
* A concert recording from the German tour of 1958 (''Vive La Rock 'n' Roll'', Big Beat Records, 2002)
 +
* A 1957 radio recording from Haley's tour of [[Australia]]
 +
* Soundtrack recordings from the 1958 film ''Here I Am, Here I Stay'' and the 1954 short film, ''Round Up of Rhythm'' (''On Screen,'' Hydra Records, 1998)
 +
* Previously unreleased live recordings from the 1969 ''Bill Haley's Scrapbook'' sessions at the Bitter End, CD release of ''Bill Haley's Scrapbook'' (Kama Sutra/Buddah, 1993) and ''The Warner Brothers Years and More'' box set (Bear Family, 1999)
 +
* Two Christmas recordings and a version of "Flip Flop and Fly" from the 1968 United Artists sessions
 +
* In-studio discussion recordings and alternate takes from the 1979 ''Everyone Can Rock and Roll'' sessions (''The Journey to Fame,'' Denton Media, 2004)
 +
* Assorted demos and alternate takes from the Decca and Warner Bros. era from the period 1958-1961, as well as additional alternate takes and unreleased tracks from the various labels Haley recorded with in the mid-1960s ''The Decca Years and More'' box set (Bear Family, 1991) and ''The Warner Brothers Years and More'' box set (Bear Family, 1999)
 +
* Two 1962 broadcasts for [[Armed Forces Radio]] (''On the Air,'' Hydra Records, 2001).
  
−
A number of previously unreleased Haley country-western recordings from the 1946-1950 period began to emerge near the end of Haley's life, some of which were released by the [[Arzee Records|Arzee]] label, with titles such as "Yodel Your Blues Away" and "Rose of My Heart." Still more demos, alternate takes, and wholly unheard-before recordings have been released since Haley's death. Notable examples of such releases include the albums ''Golden Country Origins'' by [[Grassroots Records]] of [[Australia]] and ''Hillbilly Haley'' by the British label, [[Rollercoaster Records|Rollercoaster]], as well as the aforementioned German release by Hydra Records. In 2006, [[Bear Family Records]] of Germany released what is considered to be the most comprehensive (yet still incomplete) collection of Haley's 1946-1950 recordings as part of its Haley box set ''Rock n' Roll Arrives''.
+
==References==
 +
* Dawson, Jim. ''Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution!'' San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005. ISBN 978-0879308292.
 +
* Haley, John W., and von Hoëlle, John. ''Sound and Glory.'' Wilmington, DE: Dyne-American, 1990. ISBN 978-1878970008.
 +
* Swenson, John. ''Bill Haley.'' London: W.H. Allen, 1982.  
  
−
===References===
+
==External links==
−
*Dawson, Jim. ''Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution!'' San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005. ISBN 978-0879308292
+
All links retrieved October 31, 2023.  
−
*Haley, John W., and von Hoëlle, John. ''Sound and Glory.'' Wilmington, DE: Dyne-American, 1990. ISBN 978-1878970008
 
−
*Swenson, John. ''Bill Haley.'' London: W.H. Allen, 1982. ABIN B000VTOR6M
 
  
−
===External links===
+
*{{imdb name|id=0006426|name=Bill Haley}} ''imdb.com''
−
* [http://www.billhaleycentral.com Portal site providing links to all the major Bill Haley-related websites on the Net]
 
−
* [http://www.geocities.com/buddycruiser/bio4.html?1054745371300 Melody Manor (Bill Haley's house)] [http://maps.google.com/maps?li=rwp&q=3190+FOULK+RD,+MARCUS+HOOK,+PA+19061&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&z=16&ll=39.850902,-75.484078&spn=0.007215,0.021458&iwloc=A Google Map]
 
−
*{{imdb name|id=0006426|name=Bill Haley}}  
 
−
* [http://www.answers.com/topic/bill-haley Answers]
 
−
* [http://www.die-rock-and-roll-ag.de/html/bill_haley.html The Bill Haley & His Comets-Story dt.]
 
  
−
{{Persondata
 
−
|NAME= Haley, William John Clifton
 
−
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Haley, Bill; Clifton, Johnny; Gregory, Scott; Haley, Jack
 
−
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Rock and roll music pioneer
 
−
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date|1925|7|6|df=y}}
 
−
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Highland Park, Michigan]]
 
−
|DATE OF DEATH= {{death date|1981|2|9|df=y}}
 
−
|PLACE OF DEATH= [[Harlingen, Texas]]
 
−
}}
 
−
{{DEFAULTSORT:Haley, Bill}}
 
  
 
[[Category:biography]]
 
[[Category:biography]]
 +
[[category:musicians]]
 +
[[category:music]]
 
{{Credit|204864951}}
 
{{Credit|204864951}}

Latest revision as of 16:05, 31 October 2023

Bill Haley
Bill Haley with Elvis Presley backstage at a concert in Frankfurt, Germany
Bill Haley with Elvis Presley backstage at a concert in Frankfurt, Germany
Background information
Birth name William John Clifton Haley
Also known as Jack Haley, Johnny Clifton, Scott Gregory
Born July 6 1925(1925-07-06)
Origin Highland Park, Michigan
Died February 9 1981 (aged 55)
Genre(s) Rock and roll, Country music
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, bandleader
Instrument(s) Guitar, slap bass
Years active 1946 – 1980
Label(s) Cowboy, Atlantic, Keystone, Center, Holiday, Essex, Decca, Warner Bros. Records, Orfeon, Dimsa, Newtown, Guest Star, Logo, APT, Gone, United Artists, Roulette, Sonet, Buddah, Antic
Associated acts Bill Haley & His Comets, The Down Homers, The Jodimars

Bill Haley (July 6, 1925 - February 9, 1981) was one of the first American rock and roll musicians, brought this form of music into the American mainstream in the mid-1950s with the hit song, "Rock Around the Clock." With his group Bill Haley & His Comets Haley expanded the appeal of rock and roll to a much wider audience after years of the style being relegated to the R & B and rockabilly markets.

After a mildly successful career as a western swing performer in the later 1940s, Haley began performing in the rockabilly genre in the early 1950s and scored a major hit with a cover of Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" in 1954. When "Rock Around the Clock" appeared in the 1955 film, Blackboard Jungle, it rocketed to the top of the U.S. Billboard charts for eight weeks, beginning a musical revolution that ushered in the rock and roll era. He had several other hits, including "See You Later Alligator," but was soon eclipsed by younger stars, such as Elvis Presley and others.

Haley continued to record and tour, and his career received a boost during the rock and roll revival movement of the 1970s. He died in 1981, after suffering a brain tumor. In 1987, Haley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Biography

Early life and career

Haley was born William John Clifton Haley in Highland Park, Michigan, and raised in Booth's Corner, Pennsylvania. Many sources state that Haley was born in 1927, apparently due to Haley taking two years off his age for publicity purposes in the 1950s. Several sources append "Junior" to his name, but his eldest son had stated that this is erroneous.

Haley was blinded in his left eye as a child due to a failed operation. According to biographer John Swenson, Haley later adopted his distinctive spit-curl hairstyle to distract attention from his blind eye. The hair style caught on as a 50s-style signature, although Haley and others had worn the hairstyle much earlier.

In 1946, Haley joined his first professional group, a Pennsylvania-based western swing band called the Down Homers. As Haley became experienced on the professional music scene, he created several groups. These included the Four Aces of Western Swing and the Range Drifters. With the Four Aces, he made some country hit singles in the late 1940s, for Cowboy Records. During this time he worked as a touring musician and, beginning in 1947, as musical director at radio station WPWA in Philadelphia. Many of Haley's early recordings from this period would not be released until after his death.

After disbanding the Four Aces and briefly trying a solo career using the names Jack Haley and Johnny Clifton, Haley formed a new group called the Saddlemen around 1950, recording for several labels.

In 1951, Haley was signed to Dave Miller's Philadelphia-based Holiday Records and began to move toward the rockabilly genre, recording "Rocket 88," and in, 1952, "Rock the Joint" for Miller's larger Essex label. These recordings both sold in the 75,000-100,000 range in the Pennsylvania-New England region.

In 1951, Haley crossed paths with The Treniers while playing in Wildwood, New Jersey. Haley arranged for their song, "Rock a Beatin' Boogie," to be recorded by two bands: the Esquire Boys in 1952 and The Treniers themselves in 1953. (Bill Haley and The Comets did not record their own version of the song until 1955.)

Bill Haley & His Comets

During the Labor Day weekend in 1952, the Saddlemen were renamed "Bill Haley with Haley's Comets," inspired by a popular mispronunciation of Halley's Comet. In 1953, Haley's recording of "Crazy Man, Crazy" hit the American charts, considered by many to be the first true "rock and roll" song to do so. Soon after, the band's name was revised to Bill Haley & His Comets.

"Rock Around the Clock" was written for Haley in 1953, but he was unable to record it until April 12, 1954. Initially, it was relatively unsuccessful, remaining on the charts for only one week. However, 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 and became the first ever rock song to enter British singles charts in December 1954 and became a Gold Record.

Then, when "Rock Around the Clock" appeared behind the opening credits of the 1955 hit film, Blackboard Jungle, starring Glenn Ford, the song soared to the top of the American Billboard charts for eight weeks. It launched a musical revolution that opened the doors for the likes of Elvis Presley and others.

"Rock Around the Clock" was the first record ever to sell over one million copies in both Britain and Germany. Thus, in 1957, Haley became the first major American rock singer to tour Europe. 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, Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock, both in 1956. His star was soon surpassed in the United States by the younger, sexier Elvis Presley, but Haley continued to be a major star in Latin America, Mexico, and Europe throughout the 1960s.

Later career and death

Bill Haley (right) and his Comets in 1974.

A self-admitted alcoholic, Haley fought a battle with liquor well into the 1970s. Nonetheless, he and his band continued to be a popular touring act, enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1960s with the rock and roll revival movement and signing of a lucrative record deal with the European Sonet Records label. After performing for Queen Elizabeth II at a command performance in 1979, Haley made his final performances in South Africa in May and June of 1980.

Prior to the South African tour, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and a planned tour of Germany in the fall of 1980 was canceled. He soon retired to his home in Harlingen, Texas where he died early on the morning February 9, 1981.

Media reports immediately following his death indicated Haley displayed deranged and erratic behavior in his final weeks, although there is little information about Haley's final days. The exact cause of his death is controversial. Media reports, supported by Haley's death certificate, suggest he died of "natural causes most likely heart attack." Members of Haley's family, however, contest that he died from the brain tumor.

Children

Married three times, Bill Haley had at least eight children. John W. Haley, his eldest son, wrote a biography of Haley, Sound and Glory, while his youngest daughter, Gina Haley, is a musician based out of Los Angeles. Scott Haley went on to be a noted athlete. His second son, Bill Haley Jr. is currently writing a biography about his father, concentrating on the years 1949-1961.

Legacy

Haley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. The remaining Comets from 1954 and 1955 still tour the world to packed houses. The group recleased a concert DVD in 2004, on Hydra Records, playing the trendy Viper Room in West Hollywood in 2005, and performing at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri in 2006-07. The Bill-Haley-Museum opened in Munich, Germany in 2007.

In February 2006, the International Astronomical Union announced the naming of asteroid 79896 Billhaley to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bill Haley's death. Numerous biographies and histories have been written about Haley and his role in the development of rock and roll.

Unlike his contemporaries, Bill Haley has rarely been portrayed on screen. Following the success of The Buddy Holly Story in 1978, Haley expressed interest in having his life story committed to film, but this never came to fruition. In the 1980s and early 1990s, numerous media reports emerged that plans were underway to do a biopic based upon Haley's life, with Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges and John Ritter all at one point being mentioned as actors in line to play Haley (according to Goldmine Magazine, Ritter attempted to buy the film rights to Sound and Glory). In March 2005, the British network Sky TV reported that Tom Hanks was planning to produce a biopic on the life of Bill Haley, with production tentatively scheduled to begin in 2006. However, this rumor was quickly debunked by Hanks.

Discography

Early recordings

As Bill Haley and the Four Aces of Western Swing 1948

  • Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals (vocal by Tex King)/Four Leaf Clover Blues (Cowboy CR1201)

1949

  • Tennessee Border/Candy Kisses (Cowboy CR1202)

As Johnny Clifton and His String Band 1949 or 1950

  • Stand Up and Be Counted/Loveless Blues (Center C102)

As Bill Haley and his Comets

Singles

As Bill Haley & the Saddlemen (and variations of the name) 1950

  • Deal Me a Hand/Ten Gallon Stetson (Keystone 5101)
  • Susan Van Dusan/I'm Not to Blame (Keystone 5102)
  • Why Do I Cry Over You?/I'm Gonna Dry Ev'ry Tear With a Kiss (Atlantic 727)
  • My Sweet Little Girl from Nevada/My Palomino and I (Cowboy 1701)—released as Reno Browne and Her Buckaroos

1951

  • Rocket 88/Tearstains on My Heart (Holiday 105)
  • Green Tree Boogie/Down Deep in My Heart (Holiday 108)
  • I'm Crying/Pretty Baby (Holiday 110)—with Loretta Glendenning
  • A Year Ago This Christmas/I Don't Want to Be Alone for Christmas (Holiday 111)

1952

  • Jukebox Cannonball/Sundown Boogie (Holiday 113)
  • Rock the Joint/Icy Heart (Essex 303)
  • Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in Her Stockin') /Rocking Chair on the Moon (Essex 305)

As Bill Haley & His Comets (and name variations thereof) 1953

  • Stop Beatin' round the Mulberry Bush/Real Rock Drive (Essex 310)
  • Crazy Man, Crazy/Whatcha Gonna Do? (Essex 321)
  • Pat-a-Cake/Fractured (Essex 327)
  • Live it Up/Farewell-So Long-Goodbye (Essex 332)

1954

  • I'll Be True/Ten Little Indians (Essex 340)
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo/Straight Jacket (Essex 348)
  • Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town)/ We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock (Decca 29124)—"Rock Around the Clock" was initially released as the B-side
  • Shake, Rattle and Roll/ABC Boogie (Decca 29204)
  • Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)/Happy Baby (Decca 29317)
  • Yes Indeed!/Real Rock Drive (Transworld 718)

1955

  • Mambo Rock/Birth of the Boogie (Decca 29418)
  • Razzle-Dazzle/Two Hound Dogs (Decca 29552)
  • Burn That Candle/Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie (Decca 29713)

1956

  • See You Later Alligator/The Paper Boy (On Main Street U.S.A.) (Decca 29791)
  • The Saint's Rock 'n' Roll/R-O-C-K (Decca 29870)
  • Hot Dog Buddy Buddy/Rockin' Through the Rye (Decca 29948)
  • Rip it Up/Teenager's Mother (Are You Right?) (Decca 30028)
  • Rudy's Rock/Blue Comet Blues (Decca 30085)
  • Don't Knock the Rock/Choo Choo Ch'Boogie (Decca 30148)

1957

  • Forty Cups of Coffee/Hook, Line and Sinker (Decca 30214)
  • (You Hit the Wrong Note) Billy Goat/Rockin' Rollin' Rover (Decca 30314)
  • The Dipsy Doodle/Miss You (Decca 30394)
  • Rock the Joint (a.k.a. New Rock the Joint [stereo])/How Many? (Decca 30461)
  • Mary, Mary Lou/It's a Sin (Decca 30530)

1958

  • Skinny Minnie/Sway with Me (Decca 30592)
  • Lean Jean/Don't Nobody Move (Decca 30681)
  • Chiquita Linda (Un Poquito de tu Amor) /Whoa Mabel! (Decca 30741)
  • Corrine, Corrina/B.B. Betty (Decca 30781)

1959

  • I Got a Woman/Charmaine (Decca 30844)
  • (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I/Where'd You Go Last Night(Decca 30873)
  • Shaky/Caldonia (Decca 30926)
  • Joey's Song/Ooh! Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty? (Decca 30956)

1960

  • Skokiaan (South African Song) /Puerto Rican Peddler (Decca 31030)
  • Music! Music! Music!/Strictly Instrumental (Decca 31080)
  • Candy Kisses/Tamiami (Warner Bros. Records 5145)
  • Hawk/Chick Safari (Warner Bros. 5154)
  • So Right Tonight/Let the Good Times Roll, Creole (Warner Bros. 5171)
  • Rock Around the Clock/Shake Rattle and Roll (new versions) (Warner Bros. no. unknown)

1961

  • Honky Tonk/Flip, Flop and Fly (Warner Bros. 5228)
  • Riviera/War Paint (Gone 5116)
  • Twist Español/My Kind of Woman (Spanish version) (Orfeon 1010) [May 1961]
  • Cerca del Mar/Tren Nocturno (Orfeon 1036)
  • Florida Twist/Negra Consentida (Orfeon 1047)
  • Spanish Twist (English version) /My Kind of Woman (Gone 5111) [September 1961]

1962

  • Caravan Twist/Actopan Twist (Orfeon 1052)
  • La Paloma/Silbando Y Caminando (Orfeon 1062)
  • Bikini Twist/Rudy's (Orfeon 1067)
  • Mas Twist/Tampico Twist (Orfeon 1082)
  • Twist Lento/Sonora Twist (Orfeon 1100)
  • Martha/Tacos de Twist (Orfeon 1132)
  • Jalisco Twist/Pueblo del Twist (Orfeon 1169)

1963

  • Tenor Man/Up Goes My Love (Newtown 5013)
  • White Parakeet/Midnight in Washington (Newhits 5014)
  • Dance Around the Clock/What Can I Say (Newtown 5024)
  • Tandy/You Call Everybody Darling (Newtown 5025)
  • Yakety Sax (by Bill Haley & His Comets)/Boot's Blues (by Boots Randolph (Logo 7005)
  • ABC Boogie (new version) (by Haley) /Rock Around the Clock (by Phil Flowers (Kasey 7006)
  • Pure de Papas/Anoche (Orfeon 1195)
  • El Madison de la Estrella/Viajando Con el Madison (Orfeon 1229)
  • Avenida Madison/Reunion de Etiqueta (Orfeon 1243)
  • Limbo Rock/Ana Maria (Orfeon 1269)

1964

  • Green Door/Yeah, She's Evil! (Decca 31650)
  • Adios Mariquita Linda/El Quelite (Orfeon 1324)
  • Mish Mash/Madero y Gante (Orfeon 1333)
  • Jimmy Martinez/Al Compás del Reloj (Orfeon 1429)

1965

  • Burn That Candle (new version)/Stop, Look and Listen (APT 25081)
  • Tongue-Tied Tony/Haley-a-Go-Go (APT 25087)
  • A Gusto Contigo/Mish Mash (Orfeon 1570)

1966

  • Land of a Thousand Dances/Estomago Caliente (Orfeon 1825)
  • Rock Around the Clock/Rip it Up (new versions) (Orfeon 1894)

1968

  • That's How I Got to Memphis/Ain't Love Funny, Ha Ha Ha (United Artists 50483)

1970

  • Rock Around the Clock/Framed (live versions) (Kama Sutra 508)

1971

  • Travelin' Band/A Little Piece at a Time (Janus J-162)
  • Me and Bobby McGee/I Wouldn't Have Missed it for the World (Sonet 2016)

1978

  • Yodel Your Blues Away/Within This Broken Heart of Mine (previously unissued pre-Comets recordings) (Arzee 4677)

1979

  • Hail Hail Rock and Roll/Let the Good Times Roll Again (Sonet 2188)
  • Everyone Can Rock and Roll/I Need the Music (Sonet 2194)

1980

  • God Bless Rock and Roll/So Right Tonight (Sonet 2202)

Albums

  • 1956—Rock 'n' Roll Stage Show (Decca 8345)
  • 1957—Rockin' the Oldies (Decca 8569)
  • 1958—Rockin' Around the World (Decca 8692)
  • 1959—Bill Haley's Chicks (Decca 8821)
  • 1959—Strictly Instrumental (Decca 8964)
  • 1960—Bill Haley and His Comets (Warner Bros. 1378)
  • 1960—Haley's Juke Box (Warner Bros. 1391)
  • 1961—Twist (Dimsa 8255)
  • 1961—Bikini Twist (Dimsa 8259)
  • 1962—Twistin' Knights at the Roundtable (live) (Roulette SR-25174)
  • 1962—Twist Vol. 2 (Dimsa 8275)
  • 1962—Twist en Mexico (Dimsa 8290)
  • 1963—Bill Haley & His Comets (compilation with unreleased tracks) (Vocalion 3696)
  • 1963—Rock Around the Clock King (Guest Star 1454)
  • 1963—Madison (Orfeon 12339)
  • 1963—Carnaval de Ritmos Modernos (Orfeon 12340)
  • 1964—Surf Surf Surf (Orfeon 12354)
  • 1966—Whiskey a Go-Go (Orfeon 12478)
  • 1966—Bill Haley a Go-Go (Dimsa 8381)
  • 1968—Biggest Hits (re-recordings plus new tracks) (Sonet 9945); issued in England as Rock Around the Clock (Hallmark SHM 668) and in North America as Rockin' (Pickwick SPC 3256)
  • 1968—On Stage Vol. 1 (live) (Sonet SLP63)
  • 1968—On Stage Vol. 2 (live) (Sonet SLP69)
    • The above two albums have been reissued in many forms, including by Janus Records as the two-album set, Razzle-Dazzle (Janus 7003), a numerous releases on the Pickwick and Hallmark labels.
  • 1970—Bill Haley Scrapbook (live) (Kama Sutra/Buddah 2014)
  • 1971—Rock Around the Country (Sonet 623); issued in North America by GNP-Crescendo (LP 2097) and as Travelin' Band on Janus (JLS 3035)
  • 1973—Just Rock 'n' Roll Music (Sonet 645); issued in North America by GNP-Crescendo (LP 2077)
  • 1974—Live in London '74 (live) (Antic 51501)
  • 1975—Golden Favorites (compilation with unreleased tracks) (MCA Coral 7845P)
  • 1976—Rudy's Rock: The Sax That Changed the World (billed as Rudy Pompilli and the Comets; recorded without Haley) (Sonet 696)
  • 1976—R-O-C-K (re-recordings) (Sonet 710)
  • 1978—Golden Country Origins (previously unissued pre-Comets recordings) (Grassroots Records)
  • 1979—Everyone Can Rock and Roll (Sonet 808)

Other notable album releases by the group included Rock with Bill Haley and the Comets (Essex 102; 1954), Shake, Rattle and Roll (Decca DL5560; 1955), Rock Around the Clock (Decca DL8225; 1956), and Rockin' the Joint (Decca DL8775; 1958). These were all compilations of previously issued material.

Unreleased recordings

Notable discoveries that have been commercially released have included:

  • Several 1946 radio recordings Haley made with the Down Homers (Rock n' Roll Arrives box set, Bear Family Records, 2006);
  • A large cache of country-western recordings made by Haley in the 1946-51 era, before the formation of the Comets (also released on Rock 'n' Roll Arrives)
  • An April 1955 concert in Cleveland, Ohio, including the earliest known live recordings of "Rock Around the Clock" (Rock 'n' Roll Show, Hydra Records, 1995)
  • A concert recording from the German tour of 1958 (Vive La Rock 'n' Roll, Big Beat Records, 2002)
  • A 1957 radio recording from Haley's tour of Australia
  • Soundtrack recordings from the 1958 film Here I Am, Here I Stay and the 1954 short film, Round Up of Rhythm (On Screen, Hydra Records, 1998)
  • Previously unreleased live recordings from the 1969 Bill Haley's Scrapbook sessions at the Bitter End, CD release of Bill Haley's Scrapbook (Kama Sutra/Buddah, 1993) and The Warner Brothers Years and More box set (Bear Family, 1999)
  • Two Christmas recordings and a version of "Flip Flop and Fly" from the 1968 United Artists sessions
  • In-studio discussion recordings and alternate takes from the 1979 Everyone Can Rock and Roll sessions (The Journey to Fame, Denton Media, 2004)
  • Assorted demos and alternate takes from the Decca and Warner Bros. era from the period 1958-1961, as well as additional alternate takes and unreleased tracks from the various labels Haley recorded with in the mid-1960s The Decca Years and More box set (Bear Family, 1991) and The Warner Brothers Years and More box set (Bear Family, 1999)
  • Two 1962 broadcasts for Armed Forces Radio (On the Air, Hydra Records, 2001).

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Dawson, Jim. Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution! San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005. ISBN 978-0879308292.
  • Haley, John W., and von Hoëlle, John. Sound and Glory. Wilmington, DE: Dyne-American, 1990. ISBN 978-1878970008.
  • Swenson, John. Bill Haley. London: W.H. Allen, 1982.

External links

All links retrieved October 31, 2023.

  • Bill Haley at the Internet Movie Database imdb.com

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