3. Bill Haley and the Comets - "Rock around the Clock" (Decca 33)
So, on April 12, 1954', “Rock N’ Roll” was born... But not directly. As with all great things, it was unplanned. Bill Haley, who was a country musician, stepped into the studio on this date for a 4 hour session to record the new single, “13 Women”. At the last minute of the session they had time for 2 takes to record a B side to the record (a B side is the flip side to a “single”. The other side of the 45 or 78. It is the unintended song). That B side song was “Rock around the Clock”. ‘13 Women’ sold but not very many units. Rock n’ Roll was born from a 10 year old boy by the name of Peter Ford that had the courage to flip that record and played the hell out of the B side at home. His father, Glenn Ford(The Hollywood Actor), loved it and pitched to his executives for the new movie “Blackboard Jungle”. Need I say anymore? The world heard it and it went like a rocket. Over a million copies sold in the first month. That song harbors the greatest snare drum sound in recording history and possibly the most iconic guitar solo ever played. Danny Cedrone was payed $31 for the session. He had no time to work up a new solo for the recording because of time constraints. So he whipped out a solo from a previous song, “Rock this Joint”, and laid it down. Outside of Jimmy Page’s solo in ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Eruption’, I can’t think of any solo’s that even come close to comparison. To me, it is the greatest solo ever played. A conversation for another time.
PLESE SEE BELOW THE PICTURES for a link to very special day when Brian Setzer was given a HUGE honor to play Bill Haley’s original guitar that was actually on the recording of Rock around the Clock. And Brian, true to Brian’s form, played the solo. There are only a few that could pull it off. But only Brian does it right. (The video goes sideways at points, however this is the only one in which Brian Tells the story. The second link will be better quality after you watch the first)
This album changed our youth. It, along with Elvis Presley’s recording of “That’s Alright”, pretty much turned on the switch for Hot Rods, Burger joints, Sock Hops, Drag Racing, Leather Jackets, Cigarettes rolled up in a T shirt, Leather Boots, Beer Drinking and Hell Raising, and Bowling Alley Culture. Make no mistake however, that the real Hero’s of this music are the Black American Artists that were sadly unheard previous years. Rock n’ Roll may have had Bill and Elvis for the vehicle, but the gas was our wonderful Black Americans who rooted us all in the blues, style, swag, and rhythm. Through the 50’s they gained in popularity and rose to the top of the charts soon after.
The phrase “Rock n’ Roll” was also coined by Mr. Haley. The song “Rock a beatin’ Boogie” has a phrase in it… “Rock, Rock, Rock everybody! Roll, Roll, Roll everybody!”. This phrase over time got shortened to “Rock N Roll everybody”, and the rest is history.
What differentiated the country Bill Haley, from the Rock n’ Roll Bill Haley, was one instrument. The stand up double bass and how it was treated in the song. Instead of plucking the strings with an index finger, it was slapped with the whole hand. This action alone brought out the rhythmic aspect of the song and sent teenagers and adults alike out on the dancefloor in droves. Later on Bill Black in Elvis’ band would champion this art and that combined with The King’s looks, voice, and the masterful playing of Scotty Moore, sent audiences wild. But the mastermind behind it all was Sam Phillip’s. But that story is for an Elvis Review.
This album harbors so many great songs. “Thirteen Women”, “Two Hound Dogs”, “Razzle Dazzle, and the monster “Shake, Rattle and Roll”!. This whole plate, both sides, will have you jumping around the house. You just can’t sit down. I don’t care what color, creed, or religion you are. Once the needle drops… it’s game on. Don’t be afraid of it. Grab a beer, open the shades, drop the needle, and let the neighbors see and hear you enjoying this record. You never know they may come over. Throw ‘em a beer!
The last photo below is a testament to the lasting nature of Bill Haley’s influence. That is a picture of a clock made for my parents that still hangs in their house today. That clock was made by John Behrendt, a child of the 60’s and 70’s. Yours truly is a child of the 80’s and 90’s. And my parents are children of the 40’s and 50’s. This is an era of music that has lasted through the generations and transcended eras. Today we still have an unbelievable underground scene in America of this music. JD McPherson leading the way. Russia has Messer Chups. Sweden has Fatboy and Eva Eastwood. Germany has The Razorblades, and The World as a whole has The Stray Cats/The Brian Setzer Orchestra. This music is timeless. It represents one of the greatest eras in our counties history. It is a celebration of life. I have friends all over the country that have united in the “Church of Rock N Roll”. God Bless Bill Haley and Peter Ford! Proof that a 10 year old can change the world. Pay attention to your children and what they are doing. Learn from them. Listen to them. You never know, you may change the world by doing it.
