Bill Haley & His Comets – Rock Around The Clock
Released: 1955
Label: Decca

I had initially discounted this album as I wrongly assumed it was included in the 1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die book. I’ve no idea why it wasn’t really, although the 50’s isn’t well represented and I can think of 30 albums that should be in there off the top of my head. Even the Wikipedia page for this album is pretty short, which I find surprising.

It has had various covers over the years, and the one I’ve included is the one I remember seeing in family homes in the UK when I was a small boy. I’m pretty sure I played it at somebody’s house back in the early 70’s and the whole thing was an energetic delight. There is more to this album than the two openers, and for many in the UK back in 1956, it was their first proper introduction to Rock and Roll. This is why I feel it is important, but also because it’s a fun listen.

Tracklist

(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
Shake, Rattle And Roll
A.B.C. Boogie
Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town)
Razzle-Dazzle
Two Hound Dogs
Dim, Dim The Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)
Happy Baby
Birth Of The Boogie
Mambo Rock
Burn That Candle
Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie

10 Interesting Facts About Bill Haley & His Comets and Their Album Rock Around the Clock

Bill Haley & His Comets were pioneers of rock and roll, helping to bring the genre into mainstream popularity in the 1950s. Their album Rock Around the Clock (1955) and its title track became anthems of the rock era, influencing countless musicians and defining the sound of a generation.

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About Bill Haley & His Comets:

1. One of the First Rock and Roll Stars
   Before Elvis Presley, Bill Haley was one of the first white musicians to popularize rock and roll, blending country, R&B, and swing into a new, exciting sound.
2. Started as a Country & Western Band
   Bill Haley’s early career was in country music, performing under the name Bill Haley and the Saddlemen before shifting to a more rhythm-and-blues-influenced rock style in 1952.
3. Helped Introduce Rock and Roll to the World
   With songs like “Rock Around the Clock” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” Bill Haley & His Comets helped bring rock and roll into the mainstream, paving the way for the rock explosion of the late 1950s.
4. A Worldwide Sensation
   The band’s success was not just in the U.S.—they were among the first rock and roll acts to tour Europe and Latin America, where they were met with massive enthusiasm.
5. Known for Their Iconic Look
   Unlike the rebellious image later adopted by rock stars, Bill Haley & His Comets performed in matching plaid jackets and bow ties, giving them a more polished stage presence.

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About Rock Around the Clock (1955):

6. Not Their First Album, but Their Breakthrough
   The album Rock Around the Clock was released in 1955, but it was actually their second studio album. It capitalized on the success of the song “Rock Around the Clock,” which became a massive hit earlier that year.
7. The Title Track Was a Slow Burner Before Becoming a Hit
   “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” was originally released in 1954 and didn’t gain much traction. However, when it was used in the opening credits of the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle, it exploded in popularity, becoming the first rock and roll song to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
8. Featured Covers of Classic R&B Songs
   The album included covers of R&B hits like “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (originally by Big Joe Turner) and “Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town)”, showing how rock and roll borrowed heavily from African American rhythm and blues.
9. A Blueprint for Early Rock and Roll
   The album’s driving rhythm, boogie-woogie piano, saxophone solos, and Haley’s signature vocal style helped define the sound of early rock and roll, influencing artists like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry.
10. One of the Most Recognizable Rock Songs in History
    Rock Around the Clock remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and is considered a cornerstone of rock music. The song has been featured in countless films, TV shows, and commercials, keeping its legacy alive for decades.