Bill Haley and the Comets

Bill Haley and the Comets

Bill Haley was destined to become a musician from day one. His mother was a pianist and his father played the banjo and mandolin. His parents gave him a guitar when he turned thirteen and he had the privilege of being taught to play by ear by his father. Neither Haley nor his father read music; they just relied on their knowledge and connection of the sounds. Haley forever dreamed of becoming a singing cowboy because he grew up watching numerous movies and TV shows which featured many famous country western singers prior to his time. Although born in Michigan, Haley spent most of his childhood in Detroit where he worked for a spring water and soda company. It wasn’t until age eighteen when he recorded his first record. This lead him into the life of a guitarist and singer for four solid years.

Like any starting out musician, Haley had his struggles and troubles along the way. At one point he struck very ill and felt like he wouldn’t ever make it. He moved home and almost gave up his dream but was given an opportunity to still be a part of the music industry. At age twenty one, Haley started working for WPWA, a well known music station. He would interview celebrities and get them to play their latest hits. This brought back his passion for music and inspired him to make it big himself. Soon after, he put together a band called Bill Haley and His Saddle men and was signed with a Philadelphia based independent label; Keystone. They made their first record of Western Swing tunes which quickly gained popularity. Since their incredible sound didn’t quite seem to match their cowboy image, the Program Director of WPWA suggested that they changed their name to something a bit cooler. From then on, they were known as Bill Haley and The Comets, as they set of to take over the music scene.

Bill Haley and The Comets took a leap into the unknown when they gave up their country western songs and started to record rock and roll. They recorded a song called “Rock the Joint” which sold over seventy five hundred copies. Another one of their songs, “Crazy Man Crazy”, was the first rock and roll hit to reach the Billboard Pop Charts. It made it all the way into the top twenty, but it didn’t stop there. The band got signed with New York’s record label Decca and recorded numerous top ten hits, with one even being the first rock and roll record to sell a million copies. Bill Haley and the Comets were sent to Britain to tour and share there talent with millions of screaming fans. But with time their popularity faded out and the fan’s attention were turning to the newer, more hip artists. Bill Haley returned home but still continued to tour around and perform his music. He passed away suddenly in his sleep in 1981 and became part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame six years later.

As usual we include a link to Amazon.com for buying and downloading music:

The Best Of Bill Haley & His Comets: 20th Century Masters-(Millennium Collection)

Swing Dancing to Bill Haley, Great Video!

This is a Great Video check out the tiny dancers!