![]() It was a number one single on both the United States and United Kingdom charts and also reentered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 for American Decca. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. His grandparents took him to a screening of Blackboard Jungle."Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Starr still remembers the first time he heard the tune. And you can hum along with the backup singers. The song uses modern synth effects to give it a smooth yet poppy feel. It features the former Beatle on vocals and drums, with Joe Walsh on guitar. World-famous drummer Ringo Starr released a modern-day cover of Rock Around the Clock in the fall of 2021. But we’ve found two notable versions that are worth a listen and one that’s an interesting atrocity. Over 200 artists have covered Rock Around the Clock. The movie featured two songs by Haley and was banned in some cities for being immoral. This infuriated school officials, who were already excited by the controversial film Blackboard Jungle. Riots broke out at gigs in Germany when Haley played the song.ġ000 Princeton University students simultaneously played the single on May 17th, 1955. Young people worldwide were on edge after World War II and needed a release. So when Rock Around the Clock hit #1 worldwide, it struck a nerve. But most of white America wasn’t ready to listen. ![]() African-American musicians like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard played a similar style since the late 40s. So, What Was the Controversy with Rock Around the Clock?īefore Bill Haley and the Comets, rock music didn’t get much airplay. It also hit high in the UK, Australia, and Germany. ![]() The song was #1 on the 1955 pop charts for eight weeks. Haley’s musical style and vocal deliverance made Rock Around The Clock a hit. If Haley were alive today, he would be an influencer will millions of followers. Budding singers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly were taking notice. It was the first rock and roll song to rank in the American charts. He lived the life of a starving artist until he made his dreams come true in the early 50s.Īlthough Haley had recorded dozens of singles, it was his 1953 tune Crazy Man, Crazy which made history. By age eighteen, Haley formed his first country band, Down Homers. Haley then left Essex and signed with Decca Records in the spring of 1954.īill Haley came from a working-class family of musicians in Detroit. While the Essex label manager was busy throwing a hissy fit about working with Meyers, Bill Haley and his Comets kept playing Rock Around The Clock live. Unfortunately, few took notice after the song’s debut on March 20th, 1954. So when Meyers pitched the track, they recorded and released it in one day. The group played regularly on a Virginia country radio show. It was not a good business move.Ĭonsequently, Meyers and Freedman shopped it to the novelty band Sonny Dae and His Knights. ![]() But Haley’s record label manager, Dave Miller, hated Meyers. Who First Recorded Rock Around the Clock?įreedman and Meyers were fans of Bill Haley and finished Rock Around the Clock with him in mind. Freedman suggested using the word dance instead of rock, but fortunately, Meyers stuck to his guns. Freedman worked in radio in the 40s and was an accomplished songwriter before he began working with Meyers.įreedman joined as Meyers worked on the tune in the office in late 1952. Similarly, Max Freedman established himself in the music industry before penning Rock Around The Clock. After World War II, he became a record publisher and country songwriter. James Meyers grew up hearing his mother and father play musical instruments around the house. Two Philadelphia composers wrote Rock Around The Clock in 1953. Let’s find out! Who Originally Wrote Rock Around the Clock? So who wrote this genre-defining tune, and what’s with all the fuss? Although this hit is credited as the genre’s first anthem, history has overlooked its singers. This song sonically personifies how rock and roll started in the uptight decade of the 50s. If you need an introduction to how it all began, just put on Rock Around The Clock. ![]()
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