British guitarist analyses Bill Haley & His Comets Rocking around the clock live in 1958!
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
- Tonight we're going back to 1958 to check out Bill and his Comets and also take a look at that guitar solo!
Original video - • BILL HALEY And His Com...
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Bill Haley was actually quite a good guitar player--and he could certainly play lead. In the first 3 days I was on the band, he came into my hotel room and demonstrated certain things he wanted me to do on guitar--particularly on the songs "Memphis" and "12th Street Rag". I was surprised at how good he could play, because I too, mistakenly thought that he just played rhythm guitar. He wasn't a jazz chord player, but his guitar style sounded like a mix between Arthur Smith and the Delmore Brothers. Also, Bill could definitely play in the 'horn keys' like Bb Eb and F, etc. The pickup he used, the DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1000 was actually a very good pickup. He played a heavy-handed rhythm guitar style to keep the tempo where he wanted it to be. Sadly this black Gibson L-7 he is using here was stolen in 1973 after a Richard Nader concert in Chicago when the equipment truck was stolen in the middle of the night. Sadly the guitar was never recovered. Haley was also the white guy who put country music into the black 'rhythm & blues', thus creating rock & roll. His older Essex recordings bear this out.
Did you know Danny Cedrone?? I'm trying to do a book on this guy possibly......the man who's guitar solo is the most known in the world!! There is no information at all on why he didn't play live and how he died just a few months after the recording of what I feel is Rock and Roll's first guitar solo!!!
Unfortunately we only ever get to see Bill Haley play rhythm guitar but on a side note. His guitar sound and his strumming style heavily influenced myself. Very cool.
@@JohnBGood-ry9wj Danny Cedrone was only a hired musician, never an official member of the Comets. At the time he led his own group, the Esquire Boys and in fact only did a few Haley recordings (another jazz player, Art Ryerson, did most of the ones from 1952-54). Maybe if he hadn't passed away he might have joined full-time, or at least done TV with the group (Franny Beecher was just a hired guitar at first when he appeared on Ed Sullivan with the Comets in 1955), but he died before any of the big hits. His family tried for years to get him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and he finally made it in as they included him with the Comets when they were inducted about 10 years back.
Bill never had a lead guitarist in the Comets until after RATC hit the big time. Up to that point Danny Cedrone was his go to guitarist for recording session. So Bill probably played lead up to that point. After that he hired Franny Beecher (who has already played with Buddy Greco and Benny Goodman).
Wow man thanks for sharing. Bill is and has been one of my heros since I can ever remember!
He was the King of Rock 'n' Roll, the man that started it all. BILL HALEY!! As a kid in the early 70s this was the first Rock 'n' Roll I heard and I used to drive my parent's mad playing Bill Haley tracks over and over. I remember him coming to the UK In 1979 for his final appearances and remember him coming to my home town of Birmingham and played the Odeon. I remember at the time it was a really big deal that the grand-daddy of Rock 'n' Roll was coming to Birmingham one last time. I think on that final UK tour he did a series of shows in March 79 and then came back for a final run in November 1979 and then said farewell to the UK. Bill sadly died 18 months later in February 1981. A legend, and the man who started it all - Mr Bill Haley! 🎸
Bill Haley was a true Rock and Roll pioneer. Thank you for you wonderful analysis of someone who pushed the musical limits of his time. He legitimized this new sound.
Bill was one of the greats and one of the true pioneers of rock 'n' roll.
I’m 81 now but in 1957, when I was 14, my buddy and I went to see Bill Haley at Wichita Falls Municipal Auditorium. After the show, we went backstage and met Mr. Haley and all his band. Just a wonderful bunch of guys. Something I will remember forever.
Bill was a great guitarist.. He had a practice house in Chester pennsylvania.. My buddy rented the house to jam in with the band...
His sidewalk had music notes in it..
Wow great story, did he get to jam with them?
Im from Linwood. My uncle Hank Caruso was friends with him.
How cool!
My mom lived right down the street.
Keith kashner was the lead singer/ front man for the band Pegasus.. Funny coincidence...
Bill was long gone from the old resident but I'll always remember how cool it was to walk down that sidewalk...
Bill and his band were all master's of thier weapons... Everyone could lead on thier own... Comets were that good talented ... You had to be... Than an now... Plus. Lyrical genius also
Hi Fil! I was 12 yrs old when this hit the airwaves! What little juvenile delinquents we were going to be if we listened to this junk! LoL 😂! This was the beginning of my introduction to what we would learn was rock n roll music, and we loved it! I consider myself so lucky to have watched so many different sounds be introduced...The Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc...the list is way too long to even try to write...Elvis....I was there! So glad I experienced the greatest music era of all time! ✌️
I was a kid too at that time. We were very lucky and fortunated to have so many great artist back then. The late 50,s , 60,s & 70,s were the greatest time ever for music. The talent was overwhelming and just kept coming!
Theo B. Wouldn’t trade my experience with those early rock n roll sounds for any other music! I am very electric in my music tastes...it started back in the 50’s, and carried on...we were lucky to have cut our teeth on that music!
Suzanne Robbins
Well put and groovy. ☮️
Groovy was from 1967-1969 and gone by 1971
@@bartschwartz7217 I was born in 52. I still say groovy. The question is will people still be saying "AWESOME" in 50 years? Sure some
Bill Haley & his Comets first national hit was Crazy Man Crazy (1953) followed up by Shake Rattle & Roll (1954)
same year Rock Around the Clock was first released but it was only moderately received but when it was re-released
a year later in 1955 in the opening & closing credits of the movie "Blackboard Jungle" the song became a national no. 1 hit.
It was the start of the rock n roll movement & revolution. Bill Haley & his Comets were the first rock n roll act to be on
national TV with the Milton Berle & Ed Sullivan shows in 1955.
Happy Days..the Fonz..great childhood memories from Bill's classic..thanks Fil
If there is a ”genre” of music that lifts my mood from any lowpoint , it’s the 50’s jukebox classics. Bill Haley is right there on the top with his hits alongside Elvis , Chuck Berry , Jerry Lee Lewis , Little Richard , Buddy Holly , Carl Perkins , Eddie Cochran , Ritchie Valens and all of the others that , unfortunately , evades my memory right now. Cool analysis of such a short tune.
Brilliant info for a listener.
There are a lot of excellent guitar players who make it look so easy and good and are relaxed when they play it almost looks "fake". Steve Hackett, John Fogerty, Martin Barre, Andrew Latimer and David Gilmour to name a few.
Thank you to Bill and all the 50's rockers who made rock'n'roll possible.
He's one of the pioneers of rock and roll and early examples of guitar soloing.. he proved to be highly influential for most rock acts that came up in the 60's.. you just can't help but dancing or doing air guitar while you listen to this song.
The man who kept Rock N Roll Alive.
My guitar teacher, John Kay, is the guy who replaced Franny Beecher on lead guitar in the Comets. Bill's house is about two miles from mine. Bill Williams ended up being the grounds keeper at Neumann College a mile from me. So you can say I have a few connections to Bill Haley. The day Rocka Around the Clock was recorded the ferry boat that left Chester got stuck on a sand bar. By the times they reached the studio in NYC there were 3 hours left for the session. Milt Gabler, the producer had them spend 2 1/2 hours on the A-side, 13 Women. As a result Bill resented that song so much he never played it live (shame as it's a great tune). Milt told them they had 1/2 hour to come up with a B-side. Bill was pushing RATC as a favor to James Meyers (who claimed to have cowritten the tune). When Bill's guitar for hire, Danny Cedrone, asked him what should he do for a solo Bill said to redo the solo he had done on an earlier recording, Rock the Joint. Danny's solo is still played today, but Cedrone never knew it as he was pushed down a flight of stairs by a gangster.
The original iconic guitar solo on the recording was by Danny Cedrone who died in a freak accident shortly after the session. He never did see the work become the hit record that has inspired many guitarists.
That's a fact , that surprisingly few know . Yes, replaced by ex Benny Goodman band member, Franny Beecher ,who remained with Bill until the early 60's.
@@shaunw9270 - i had a cheap 'kay' guitar given to my father from fran beecher.
@@skullduggery3377 That's so cool 👌
Danny Cedrone played the original and the best solo. His wife was pregnant and wanted ice cream. He went to get it for her but fell down the stairs and broke his neck and died. Very sad
thank you for that note. RIP
Hands down one of THEE best guitar solos ever.
Early mind bender
Nah
Attention Deficit Squirrel I agree this is definitely one of my tops as well! what are your other top 2 ?
My dad saw Bill Haley and the Comets on the original Rock Around The Clock tour. The show was held in the local roller skating rink, but what an epic concert to have witnessed. The very first rock and roll tour ever!
bill haley and the comets were the genesis of rock and roll with combining swing, rhythm and blues, and boogie woogie melodies as their platform. chuck berry followed their example four years later.
When I first heard this song, I was too young to appreciate the nuances of what was happening. As I grew up and started playing guitar, the full weight of their playing hit me like a brick. As B.B. King once said about another guitar player, “…those notes don’t exist on my guitar.”
I played in an early band near Chester. The drummer said he did a stint in Bill Haley's band. As a guitarist, it was obligatory to learn the original lead break on the record (which the guitarist didn't play in this live take). A challenge. Bill Haley really tore it up in Britain back in the day, causing near riots. Also notice at this time (1958) many bands still played mostly in a swing rhythm, a lingering influence of the Big Band Sound of the 1940s and early 50's Western Swing.
In 1958, I was 10 years old, and hooked on rock n roll. I was already fascinated by the guitar, which was a large part of country music, and very popular at the time. Most of it was on variety shows, like Ed Sullivan, so you only got to hear 1 or 2 songs in a show. Great demonstration, Fil. You are an awesome player.
Thanks!
Hi Fil - When I was 9 years old, my parents played this record for me; they had heard it at a party and thought I'd like it. Boy did I ever, it led me to a life of music and guitar playing that hasn't dimmed one iota in my old age. Great choice my friend!
Bill Haley & the Comets where another great pioneer of Rock & Roll. excellent demonstration again. I've seen this concert many time.
Franny Beecher the lead guitarist for Bill Haley & His Comets from 1954 to 1962 He also performed and recorded with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
also a composer "Franny Beecher September 29, 1921 ~ February 24, 2014" thank Fil, keep Rockin' through the history of music.
Franny Beecher is from my hometown. I got to meet him and see him play in the 90's. He played pretty much up until he died. Great guitar player and an even greater person!
Ray Cedrone played lead on the record. Died before it got to be a hit
Thanks for a great and fully detailed musical analysis of Bill Haley & the Comets. Additionally I appreciated your rhythm and lead guitar demonstrations in regards to technique and ability of the song. It’s amazing how a two minute plus song has so many nuances. I think it’s safe to say that “Rock Around the Clock” has stood the test of time. Thanks for this great analysis, Fil!
I would almost move to England just to be your neighbor and listen to you play great job hope you are well🎸
Thanks!
Sorry to be off topic but does anyone know a trick to get back into an instagram account?
I was stupid forgot my password. I would love any assistance you can give me!
@Tobias Hezekiah Instablaster =)
@Clark Immanuel thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Clark Immanuel It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account :D
He so deserves to be remembered! Great pick Fil!
Being a guitarist, I will always say a band revolves around how well the drummer handles the snare. The live capture of the snare in this example, glues the entire performance together.
Good talkin'.
This was early rock n roll. Bill Haley created this new buzz and music excitement. My Mom loved it and my sisters too. We were all very young. Your research and explanation Fil is top class- as always.You are no slouch. Thanks for the details .👍
All right! Back to the future!
Franny Beecher, the guitarist here, was a phenomenal musician...he’d been on Benny Goldman’s band, the breeding ground for such virtuosi as Charlie Christian and Gene Krupa
However, he admitted that he struggled with the guitar solo at first, and instead of the chromatic descent over the strings that Danny Cedrone used, Franny would be arpeggios
Both men were highly regarded, and even when Bill was in the twilight of his career, he’d always tell young musicians who auditioned for his band not to try “if you can’t play like Franny or Danny!”
Bill himself occasionally played lead guitar, though his style wasn’t as fluid as those guys
Recordings of this exist, and in the short film Round Up of Rhythm, Haley is playing lead guitar for the instrumental "Straight Jacket".
Frannie Beecher was very underrated among the first rock guitar player, Berry, Gallup or even Cochran wouldn't play so technically or fast, but he was an older jazzman, kind of Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis type. He wasn't "mainstream" so that's my guess why he's really underrated.
Such brilliance!! 💜🙏🎶
the song was an opening theme song for happy days for a few episodes of season 1 I believe.
My teenage sister was not allowed to listen to Pat Boone or Fats Domino. Then this movie came out and there was no stopping rock and roll. I was ten. This makes me want to watch back to the future. I appreciate you including this older song.
Rock when I was born....I’ve been at the beginning of rock I I’ve been here for the end. I’m so glad to have seen your channel. Brings back memories. It doesn’t matter what happened. It happened...ergo rock was born...
Bill Haley started it all. He was a great guitarist. Rock Around the Clock.is a classic. Thanks, Fil.
What an absolute classic and perfect song. Happy days!
ROCK!!!
:-)
It's amazing the transition of the guitar from a rythm instrument to a lead instrument from the early 50's thru the 60's.
Great solo! Thanks for the analysis video.
Thank you Fil for taking us to the beginning! These originators are being forgotten and its important to remind people of their talents and where is ALL began! Be safe!
With Bill Haley, you are looking at the true beginnings of rock and roll. He was it.
Exactly. THE true pioneer of Rock and Roll !
Totally wrong. Rock-n-roll existed before Haley, Berry, Presley, Jerry Lee, Richard and all the others. The only difference was that Bill was white and they put this song front and center in the hit movie Blackboard Jungle (1955). Listen to :The Fat Man" (Fats Domino, 1949) and Rocket 88 (Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston, 1951).
Awesome choice down the memory lane. Also thanks Fill for your superb analysis.
Been up around the clock now rocking, Bill and his Comets, great one Fil anytime you bust out the guitars, Jeff in LA USA
When will the “he is faking playing the guitar” stop ? xD young kids see some Disney stars strumming one G chord all the time and thinking the legends from the past who gave us everything have also faked everything. Sad times:-(
I keep waiting for him to ask.."would you like to see my drawings"? Good job man!
I love the history. Thank you for all your hard work. Other reactions just gush, but I watch just because I like to see their reactions....but You give history, break down the music, and cover the era. You are a gem. Bless you young man.
As always, GREAT VIDEO FIL!!!!!
Beecher is one of most under rated guitar players ever. Followed him for many years. Mind blowing player.
Franny was incredible
Look how still the crowd is, wow
They were "still" because they were concentrating as opposed to having short attention spans of a few seconds. :)
One of the best guitar solos ever... In my opinion...
These are amaying. Fil gives a bit of history but he nearly always shows how great musicians or pioneers of rock and roll like Bill Haley are good and why.
The fifties is where alot of rock started. Still a great song. Fil you're guitar is the coolest! 🤟😎🎸
Thanks!
What a statement. Solo that 3% of famous guitar players could pull off. What a tight band.
Yeah, the brilliant lead section is rooted very much in jazz. Bill also plays with jazz style and chord shapes. Maximum effect with minimal effort. Usual brilliant analysis from Phil.
I am thrilled to there has been such a fantastic response to this Bill Haley Video. Yes, he truly was the King of Rock 'N Roll. Proof of this is that in my remote town, somewhere in this world, his blockbuster film "Rock around the clock" played for months as opposed to other Rock 'N Roll films that played for not more than 3 days. This humongous success was repeated in all the continents of the world. I hold my head high when I state that I have seen "Rock around the clock" 64 times and just can't wait for the next time I'm free. It's also lovely to note that parts of the film - the dance sequences - are being colorized, with quite a few doing a remarkable job. Wonderful CZcams, thanks for making it possible and for having them on display. Rock around the clock was a humongous success because the best of Bill's number were featured, plus this was coupled by the exquisite dancing of Lisa Gaye with Earl Barton choreographing. Lisa and Earl's dancing to Rock a beatin boogie was the film's show-stopper. We mustn't forget the fantastic singing by the Platters with Only You and The Great Pretender, both classics, even today. While "The girl can't help it" was a hit, it was Rock around the clock that remains the perennial Rock film leader. In it's first run, "Variety" gave the whole film a fantastic review and was exceedingly favourable to Lisa Gaye's unforgettable performance and dancing skills. Till today, she is known as the Rock 'N Roll Queen!!!
Thanx again for the demos!! They add another dimension to the analysis. And, the fact you're knowledgeable in all these different genres is mind-boggling!!
It cannot fail to be mentioned that Scotty Moore ruled in this sort of category, but the guitar lead on this song was probably one of the earliest displays of top-notch shredding in rock and roll. Thanks for your review.
Excellent treatise, especially for us non-musicians. I was fortunate enough to be the Comets' manager when they reunited in the early 1990s and toured the UK and Europe. Not only did Franny still have it, he did the solo closer to the Canny Cedrone one on the recording.
Always a treat when Fil plays the guitar. Thanks for another great breakdown! Let's rock around the clock in our tuxes :)
This is one of the first songs I remember as a child. My parents ran a nightclub in west Texas; this song was on the jukebox. Thanks for the memory.
One of my favorites was the opening for happy days for a year or two when I was little.
This brings a smile to my face. Just great fun
Thanks for the guitar lesson, I always loved the guitar solo!
Great analysis, thank you for sticking up for Bill👍
You are so sweet with your smile as you have in every video, and this was my parent's era and they were young themselves when they danced to this music..Thank You for all you videos..When l lived briefly in the USA in Tn. l met Little Richard, another famous singer from this time and l was just in awe seeing him as my parents used to talk about his music and from my seeing him sing..Just think of all the great music that came out from that era
Thanks!
I saw Bill Haley and Chuck Berry performing in Seattle. Wow, what a night.
Ah, one of the beginnings of Rock and Roll. When Rock and Roll was exactly that. Great song of its day. It totally changed music. But was interesting is that some of the singers of the late50s and early 60s did this sort of thing on their singles but on an album would also do the "standards" which was great. No one does that today and I'm scared we're going to lose those songs and no one will remember how great that generation was as well as how great Bill Haley and his Comets were. You did some great analysis of singers. Gene Pitney would be a great one to do.
Ya gotta love the showmanship energy and skill of these pioneers! Guitar work and that solo definitely legit and VERY skilled. Enjoyed this. Thanks Fil! Great Analysis! 😎🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦
I love 50's style guitar playing and picking. It's so very vibrant and lively.
Fil, I was waiting for the alternative picking and you didn't disappoint!
I very like it, that you explain the analysis with your guitar . . . It makes it very clearly. . .Thanks again!
Rockabilly for sure. Great song.
When I was kid, rumours went around the playground that this was the first ever Rock & Roll song.
Thanks for covering Bill! He was absolutely the real deal this is probably as close as we’ll come to seeing him in concert in his prime (there’s some great live audio, though). Bill was a proficient guitarist, but for some reason he’d never play lead. He was all about rhythm.
Fil, you are the man. Super talented, always see the best in everybody. Very respectable trait to have. And you're a great musician. Keep up the great content, and best wishes to you
Thanks!
"Rock Around The Clock" was the Billboard #1 single when I was born.
Good historical details Fil! I remember learning this song and its solo at about age 21, fellow Pennsylvania guitarist here.
Ahhhh that old rock and roll...the beginning of an era....respect to Mr. Haley. God bless all those forerunners.
Such a good video! The guy in the audience wearing the tux made me laugh out loud! I heard this song once a week watching Happy Days. It's nice to watch the original source. I learn so much with each video, Thanks!
Thanks Fil. Great to go back. Yes an amazing solo. And well done for being able to pull it apart, and slow it down. Sign of a great guitarist, who knows hos technique. Regards Trevor
When I'm watching a concert and already know how it goes I'll grab my right arm and do my chords to stimulate my guitar. And jam along see how you right arm feels like a neck and to can jam with the bands you really dig!! Great show 👏 👍 I had a girlfriend that was an extra on the show happy days. She seen the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl dude! After a few months of fun with this girl she said stay outta the gutter. I got what I wanted so i wasn't really hurt 🎉
Excellent lesson!
Thank you.
And thank you for approaching the material with your consistent respect and appreciation.
It's very helpful to see you with your guitar showing what is going on. I wish you would do it more often
Great analysis .
You could hear the Jazz influences in early Rock & Roll .. so melodic :)
#theMasters
Bill was also a country singer pre 1951.
My Dad’s favourite rocker😎
It doesn't matter to me how long your analysis videos are, because you always make them interesting! Also, is it worth mentioning that one can be an excellent rhythm guitar player yet be entirely lost when it comes to lead solos?
This analysis was fun to watch! Sure it went longer, but it's worth it when you have such an iconic song. Nice work breaking down that solo!
This was the year I was born. These people were surely rebels. Glad they were!! Thanks, Fil.
Great analysis Fil. Always viewed Bill Haley as one of the Godfathers to rock and roll along with the likes of Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis. Buddy Holly, Solomon Burke and others. I was glad to see you spent some time on the technical aspects of the guitar solo which to me makes the song great. The fact that the guitarist had no distortion to hid behind also make the solo amazing.
A true bop! The slower version of that third (?) part of the solo sounds a lot like a metal band I once heard...can't place where.
Bill Haley and His Comets effects are everywhere!
Lol. WOW,what a rock around the clock. That was fun !❤️❤️❤️
The man is moving like Elvis. Oh man ! Every generation has their own fun bits .
Well thanks,I learned something new today!❤️
Another thing about Rock Around the Clock, the melody/beat for it is similar to Hank Williams' Move it On Over, which also has its roots even earlier in Country and Blues songs.
Thank you so much Fil.Really enjoyed it.
excellent. for one of the rock n roll pioneers try Louis Jordan - Caldonia (1946). Shuffle beat minus the electric guitar but clearly early Rock N Roll. Called jump blues in the '40s
Excellent analysis! Thank you
I was three, loved it.
Little wonder, I have no idea what Bill Haley and the Comets looked like, I wasn't born yet. Thx for breaking it down, so we (the imperial 'we' (Yes, I do have a mouse in my pocket)) appreciate the early greats even more.
I lived in Memphis, Tennessee in the early ‘70’s and I remember coming across ‘Bill Haley and his Comet’s’ listed in the phone book. I thought “wow, isn’t that something”. The ad said they were available for private parties, etc. Wish I would of saved that telephone book.
That's kinda sad, I think...
When I saw them listed in the phone book I did have that sense of sadness. It was kinda sad, I agree.
I worked with the saxophone player, he was a casino boss at Caesars Palace, can not remember his name. He would always take time off to go on tour in Germany, also not sure of the years but maybe the 90's. The were very popular in Europe in later years.
Reminiscent of the solo in King Creole..so smooth, crisp, and clean. Love to see you break that down, or any Chris Squire/Yes-Relayer
thanks Fil - I really enjoy learning from your analysis videos