Rock and Roll
The song “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets has us looking at the roots of rock and roll. This song was written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (as Jimmy DeKnight) and was first recorded by Sonny Dae and His Knights. Bill Haley and His Comets recorded and released it in 1954. Although their version made it to the pop charts, it was initially considered to be a commercial disappointment. Then, in 1955, when Glenn Ford was helping producers of the film Blackboard Jungle find a song to represent 1955 youth, he borrowed his son Peter’s record collection. The producers loved the song and used it in the opening credits. When the movie was released, “Rock Around The Clock” took off, skyrocketing to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Chart and #1 on the U.K. Chart, selling millions of copies worldwide. Since many people at the time did not know what rock and roll was, the label on the single calls it a “Fox Trot.” The song was also used as the opening theme for the TV show Happy Days.
5 Comments
So glad you enjoy it!
So glad.
Great. Dig that curly cue. Love those early rock and roll hits.
[…] If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Bill Haley and His Comets: “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock.” […]
[…] If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Bill Haley and His Comets: “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock.” […]