Bill Haley & His Comets

Although they would be come known for one of the first smash singles of the rock and roll era, Chester, Pennsylvania’s Bill Haley & His Comets began in 1949 as the country music act Bill Haley and the Saddlemen. They became the Comets in 1952 and began to incorporate R&B into their country sound on early singles like “Crazy Man Crazy”, a number 12 hit in 1953. They signed with Decca in 1954 and their first single featured “Rock Around the Clock” on the B side. The song eventually became the A side and topped the charts in America and the UK and is widely recognized as the first rock and roll record to hit number 1. “Shake Rattle and Roll”, “Burn That Candle!” and “See You Later Alligator” all returned them to the top 10 over the next two years. As the first rock stars came to prominence, Bill Haley & His Comets saw their popularity dip in America, but they remained a huge draw in Europe and toured England throughout the late 50s. The group scored an unexpected hit in Mexico with "Twist Español", a Spanish-language take on The Twist, and the follow-up, “Florida Twist” was another huge seller in Mexico. The group played numerous oldies shows throughout the 60s and 70s, while still enjoying enduring popularity in Europe. After the death of longtime saxophonist Rudy Pompilli in 1976, Haley retired from performing, but a big payday for some European dates got him back on stage later that decade. Bill Haley passed away in 1981. The enduring popularity and influence of their early singles landed Bill Haley & His Comets induction in both The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.