Search - Bill Haley & His Comets :: Rock N Roll Show

Hydra is always releasing unissued goodies on Bill Haley

Pete Peterson | Wally Wa Wa, CA | 03/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1954, when Bill Haley and the Comets signed to Decca Records, they released "Rock Around the Clock" on May 15, 1954. It reached US #23 on the poop charts on June 3, 1954, selling 75,000 copies that Saturday afternoon. Who knew that "Rock Around the Clock" would be revived and on July 9, 1955 it would make US #1 on the pop and rhythm and blues charts. But in 1954, the big hit on Decca was "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (that hit US #7 on November 11, 1954) as shown on this live show recording in Cleveland, Ohio from April 17, 1955. We start out with a great kareoke version of "Birth of the Boogie" because apparently Bill's mike is switched off. Then we hear the instrumental "Huckleberry." After this, bandmembers such as steel guitarist Billy Williamson and bassist Marshall Lytle sing songs that are both folk songs and songs they wrote themselves. "That's What You're Doing to Me," "Let's All Rock Together," "Ol' Man River" and "'Deed I Do" feature Dick Richards on vocal, "Big Mamou" and "I've Told Every Little Star" feature Billy Williamson on vocal. Next, we are treated to the first of two versions of "Rock Around the Clock," one featuring Bill playing guitar while he sings and one not. Bill introduces it as "an up-and-coming song" and it features Billy Williamson replacing the lead guitar solo on the song with a steel guitar solo with the lack of a live-performing lead guitarist. Next they play "Dim, Dim the Lights" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll," two big hits at the time, and then they play their newest record, "Mambo Rock." Their next song is the show-stopping instrumental accompanied with wild stage acts like the bassist riding the saxophonist on his bass while still playing it, "Straight Jacket." The last songs are still a bit entertaining. "Crazy Man, Crazy," the band's first song to chart, is present, as is the second performance of "Rock Around the Clock," and the last one "Rock the Joint," the very first hit by Bill Haley. This is a great addition to any kind of Bill Haley fan's collection."