THESE GUYS ARE SO AWESOME!! BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS - ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (1955)

[@rogerdodger6025]

This was the song that kicked off the Rock 'n Roll era. The way music was charted changed after this song. It went from the Hit Parade to the Top 40 and Hot 100. The Big Band era was over at this point and it was time to ROCK.

[@jethro1963]

Lots of songs lay claim to being the first but this is the one that kicked it off

[@kennyhogg5820]

Though there are a lot of songs from 1950 to early 1955 that I like, pop music was kind of stagnating during that period. Just kind of rehashing the music that had been developed during the late 30s and especially the 40s. It was this song that threw a wrench in the whole pop music scene, in a good way. Though a lot of people over 40 didn't feel that way. I laugh at music review from music articles from that time. Calling rock and roll a horrible musical style, that it won't last, and such.

[@joannenelson2331]

This is My Uncle Bill Haley❤ Joanne Haley- Doolan , Oh the Memories when he would Yodel, he as did Yodeling with his band the Saddlemen

[@bradsullivan2495]

Came out in 1955 and is usually heard in any documentary about early rock because it's become so iconic.

[@DavidB-2268]

It was also the original theme to Happy Days.

[@1920Janice]

They were from Michigan and had hits before Elvis.

[@breckrichardson390]

This was the theme to the movie "Blackboard Jungle" in 1955, then became a big hit and helped propel the rock and roll music genre.

[@greystep6520]

It's recorded in April 12, 1954. Released in May 1954. The second edition was released in May 1955.

[@thunderbirdsharrypotterfan]

@@DavidB-2268 and American graffiti

[@Stefan_der_Oberfranke]

Bill Haley forever!

[@johngiovine8792]

The guitar solo is so sweet!

[@carolynsaint6263]

Have you never seen a rerun of happy days? Surely you have heard of The Fonz? The main character was Richie Cunningham played by Ron Howard. You would have definitely heard this song if you ever saw an episode of happy days

[@matthawkins8880]

These kids are too young for that. 😀 But I think they got rid of this song at the end of the first seaso along with Chuck Cunningham.

[@snowbird9660]

My guess is no. 😂

[@CoCoCo1212]

​@@matthawkins8880This couple is older than I am and I saw reruns of Happy Days as a kid, probably the only one in my neighborhood who did, so I heard this song quite a bit. Watching old shows made for great conversation-starters with my grandmother and her friends. The kids my age never understood what I was going on about, though. 😅

[@cinemixer]

Written in ‘52. Recorded and released by Bill Haley in ‘54. Released again in ‘55.

[@cathyortiz1280]

One of the 1st Rock n Roll songs!

[@j0hnf_uk]

'See You Later Crocodile', and, 'Shake, Rattle And Roll', are a couple of other well-known songs by Bill Haley And His Comets.

[@54nomore]

This was the first time the term Rock was ever utter. It became the banner for the new sound of the 50's known today as Rock & Roll music. This is the song that set it all off. And music and style will never be the same again. This is why this song by "Bill Haley and the Comets" "Rock around the clock" (1955) is so iconic and legendary. It is in the Smithsonian Institute and museum in Washington D.C. as the song that coined the phrase Rock & Roll. The rest as they say is history. Great reaction as always.

[@mournblade1066]

This song only mentions "rock," not "roll." There was a DJ in Cleveland, Ohio, named Alan Freed who is credited with coining the term "rock & roll."

[@grjoseph]

Btw, Haley’s Comet is a thing. The comet was last visible in 1986, and shows up every 75 years!

[@thunderbirdsharrypotterfan]

True

[@michaelscott9974]

Just good old rock & roll We need something like this today Feel good music

[@debbieelholm7921]

Rock Around the Clock is said to be playing somewhere in the world every minute of the day. Because they never kept track of sales back it’s estimated that it is the second most popular song after Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. The song not only was a hit back in 1955, it hit the charts again in 1974 after it was featured not only on American Graffiti, but also on Happy Days!

[@jacqueline4514]

Now this is old school! 😂 So great that you reacted to this ❤️ First time I ever heard it was in the American Graffiti soundtrack in the 70’s; the foundation of Rock and Roll. I agree with you; if this doesn’t make you dance, I don’t know what will!

[@bubbastill2040]

1955 was a good year for Bill Haley & The Comets,Chevrolet,and Rock & Roll!

[@harrietetter9321]

1955 -- junior in high school -- ive jitterbugged a million miles to this

[@andrewburch1671]

You went deep into the vault for this one. First rock song ever!!!

[@mournblade1066]

Technically not the first rock and roll song, but it was the first rock and roll song to hit the Billboard charts.

[@hookstomper7322]

67 years later - and still one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. The brilliant guy who played it on the record was Danny Cedrone: he was paid just $21 for his work - and just months later, he would die in a fall downstairs which broke his neck...The fellow very accurately miming the solo in this video was Franny Beecher, another excellent player of the day.

[@douglasswicegood4420]

Fun to jump and jive to! The record was cut in 1954 and made it to no. 1 by January 1955! Jitterbug and jive, man oh man!

[@ChicagoDB]

Bill Haley….Legendary! This was one of the biggest hits ever! 1955 the early days of Rock n Roll!

[@greystep6520]

It was recorded in April 12, 1954 and released in May 1954. Second release - May 1955. (and written in 1952, when a Haley's cover of song "Rock The Joint" came out with the same guitar solo)

[@brucefelger4015]

This song was recorded the day after i was born. i like to say i'm a day older than Rock and Roll

[@acidqueen6460]

💚

[@matthawkins8880]

33?

[@kathifielder1110]

Good times!! Yes, people had more self-control back then. And yet another thing that began to change when Elvis hit the scene.

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

Good clean fun. And talent.

[@juliobarreiro7345]

The king of Rock n Roll 1956

[@brenthenderson3983]

1955..

[@tago69mago]

Crazy to think this was recorded nearly 70 year ago!

[@aaronstandingbear]

Grand father of Rock and Roll. I wuz 8

[@lalba07]

This was way before my time but I'm from the old school generation where this music was still playing around me... great song!

[@joannevincent2035]

In 1955, my dad was a tenor saxophonist who led a combo and played every weekend at nightclubs, weddings, and grand openings. He covered Bill Haley and His Comets at the grand opening of the first 84 Lumber Co. store in Eighty-Four PA. "Rock Around The Clock" was hot, hot, hot!

[@thehorrorfanx]

RIP Dick Clark - the biggest star on this clip. Would be great to see reactions to episodes of American Bandstand.

[@9284vr]

This was one of if not the first nationwide number one rock and roll hit and was featured in several movies back then and also more recently plus the TV show Happy Days. The recording by the year 2000 had sold over 25 million copies worldwide acc. to the Guiness Book of World Records.

[@joannrumbley1490]

This song came out around 1954-55. It was a monster hit. It was in a movie called Blackboard Jungle .

[@soniasurija8880]

I’m loving all the old school music you’re reacting to 👍

[@truthlivingetc88]

such fun - i cried with joy when these two started smiling and rocking

[@wendyt7958]

such a fun song...never gets old even though it is! LOL

[@notquitedone51]

It was TV. You weren't allowed to jump and dance and shout in the studio because home audiences wouldn't be able to hear the music. Especially in those days, TV was usually live.

[@woodysthoughts4032]

So they confined themselves to smacking that gum and clapping those hands.

[@mournblade1066]

That was totally lip synced. American Bandstand always was.

[@teijaflink2226]

What I have seen they seemed to mostly lip sync on tv specially in the 60s and 70s, I'm not as sure about the 50s.

[@osocool1too]

When I was a kid, this type of music was on the radio all the time. Loved it and it's jazz influence. 👍👍🤗

[@brandimodrak461]

Happy Days sitcom must see. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕

[@indiecab9593]

The term rock and roll was defined by this song

[@joejohnston3591]

It came out in 1955, the year i was born! I'm as old as rock & roll. And i feel like it!

[@greystep6520]

It came out in May 1954. Second edition was released in May 1955.

[@markmmv]

This song from 1954. And rock 'n' roll was shaped in 1949-1951

[@russgilbertson8689]

Great !!!! A true Classic !!

[@nenelles-dancelikenobodysw8511]

These rockabilly songs are so fun to dance to ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheDivayenta]

Swing dancing, baby!

[@stephenneal9218]

At the end of the big band era they began slimming down the horn section to play small clubs(Louis Jordan, the jukebox king) and they began to incorporate more electric guitar. This song was the tail end of the jitterbug era, still incorporating string bass. One of the first 45's I ever bought.

[@davidpitt9528]

This when the era of Rock And Roll started , dancing became a thing to do, where I was from we had a dance once a month at the Vets Hall and a Record Hop at the Armory where a lot of the stars came and signed their reCords and Photos

[@shawnclay241]

This was one of my favorite songs, my mom gave me her At The Hop record when I got my first stereo and this was one I played over and over

[@hanklutcavich2468]

This was the theme for a show called Happy Day's. Awesome reaction guys.

[@warrenburlingame1172]

I enjoy these older videos getting to see how they dressed back then. Another great song from this Era to react to is Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper

[@sheilaivie3146]

You guys Rock!

[@joannrumbley1490]

I love this song. It's the first rock songs I heard on American Bandstand when I was a child.

[@thunderbirdsharrypotterfan]

My favorite rock n roll song & released in 1955

[@remoraking5239]

Love this when I first heard this long, long time ago. Hi from 🇳🇷 in the Oceania region in 2021.

[@mournblade1066]

Pennsylvania's very own Bill Haley and the Comets!

[@beegee1960]

Bill Haley and his Comets. A play on words referring to his last name. Halley’s Comet is a short term Comet that can be seen from earth every 75-76 years. You can just feel that beat in every fiber of your body, a beat that appealed to kids. and disturbed the parents. This song changed everything.

[@carollittle1059]

Icon of 50's rock n' roll!

[@SavedChampion]

One of the first rock and roll songs.

[@1776SOL]

Billy Haley & His Comets - Philly Represent!!!

[@mikerobertson4041]

This was the start of rock 'n' roll!

[@greystep6520]

Nope, rock n roll was formed in the late 40s - early 50s. "Rock Around The Clock" was released in May 1954. Second edition - May 1955. And in 1955, rock n roll became the most popular music genre in the United States until 1960.

[@lescobrandon3047]

I got a paper route and saved enough to buy the LP. The band was amazing with a great bass, guitars, drums… I must have played it thousands of times.

[@9284vr]

Although Dick Clark's show later changed to a dance show, this early version was not-it was a sit down teenage audience-and chewing the sponsor's gum...Beechnut gum.

[@rubysmith4836]

we were out there jumping around and dancing. Those wee the good days

[@axlegrind4212]

there was already rhythm and blues from the 40s. there was also boogie woogie from the 40s. there was western swing already from the 20s. but when bill haley combined the three, this is what you get. chuck berry did the same.

[@CCTH2221-lp2zj]

This song not only was the soundtrack to the 50’ and early 60’s generation. But also us 70’s elementary school kids. “American Graffiti” was such a success that it birthed other greasy kid stuff movies. Also “Happy Days” and probably was the reason for “Grease”. Culturally impacted multiple generations🎼

[@SavedChampion]

This is the song that really launched rock and roll.

[@victormanuelmonterroso-mir9502]

The only channel I’ve seen going through oldies, do Big Band Era like Glenn Miller, Bea Wain, Helen Forrest.

[@druellapartee2010]

😀This makes you want to do the Twist!

[@bettyartis3648]

The start of the movie Blackboard Jungle featured this. Gritty for its time. One of the first rock anthems!

[@laurastormgarcia4353]

❤️❤️🥰🥰❤️❤️ I belieVe this song came out in 1955-ish - which was considered back then “ROCKABILLY ~ Rock+Hillbilly.. My mother used to dance to this song, and even taught us how to do the “Jitterbug”, which was a dance from the late 1940’s, yet still worked with this song!!! GREAT dance song! ⭐️ FYI - Bill Haley’s last name was what gave the band their unique name Haley and the Comet’s; referring to Haley’s Comet. Just a play on words. ⭐️ ❤️❤️🥰🥰❤️❤️I hope you are having an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DAY TODAY!!! Much love to you both, Always! Laura 💞

[@greystep6520]

This song came out in May *1954*

[@realemiele.franco736]

The 1950's were the start of rock and roll other than rhythm and blues. Both genres had their belongings and pushed into the world like wildfire. My mom and dad danced to this type of songs. I remember watching old clips of dance marathons where which couple could dance the longest before exhaustion took over. Nowadays, you don't see that kind of entertainment.

[@patprescott1818]

The birth of Rock and Roll 🎶🎵❤✌

[@greystep6520]

*Nope,* rock n roll was formed in the late 40s - early 50s. And "Rock Around The Clock" was released in May 1954 (second edition - May 1955).

[@patprescott1818]

@@greystep6520 shut up.

[@greystep6520]

@@patprescott1818 So, in your opinion, Bill Haley's previous records aren't rock n roll: "Crazy Man, Crazy" (1953), "Fractured" (1953), "Real Rock Drive" (1952), "Rock The Joint" (1952), "Rocket 88" (1951)...

[@patprescott1818]

@@greystep6520 why can't you just let people enjoy the music and channel .👎it's called having fun.

[@patprescott1818]

@@greystep6520 Block.

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Shawn and Mel, AtNew Years Parties, This is the song that people will most likely ring in the new year with. Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@joannefoster2793]

Back then we had Sox hops in the school gym to this and other rock and roll music. Only wear soxs! We did the jitter bug swing. Such fun!!

[@steelers6titles]

Bill's previous group was a country outfit, the Saddlemen. Along with many others, he started covering rhythm and blues, the music of post-World War 2 African-Americans, including Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle, and Roll".

[@breckrichardson390]

This was the theme to the movie "Blackboard Jungle" in 1955, then became a big hit and helped propel the rock and roll music genre.

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

This will always remind me of the tv show, Happy Days.

[@freddiehearn5066]

This is the begining of rock-n-roll!

[@SavedChampion]

First rock and roll song.

[@christinawoolley6206]

An oldie but goodie!!! 😺

[@wongedwardtuckhoe4284]

Their other songs are mambo rock,saint go marching in,ABC Rock,shake rather &roll. This are their songs......

[@jimmyzee7040]

Happy Days great show !!

[@brigitter1469]

My parents time with this music. Love this song. Such a fun song, peppy and happy. This is the Baby Boomer generation, likely your grand parents. There was a movie with them playing and they showed all the dancers. You should look for that to see how they danced.

[@kenchristie9214]

Recorded in 1954, Rock Around The Clock was the theme song for the movie Blackboard Jungle in 1956 when the Rock & Roll craze was in full swing.

[@lisawilham-pepper]

You would love the band The Stray Cats and also Brian Setzer Orchestra.

[@drycanyon]

The Stray Cats are great

[@Teresia12]

The stereotype of girls chewing gum in the fifties, early 60s is a true one. My sister's would yell Go Daddy Go when the guitar solo happened. In their Bobbie socks dancing n sliding across the wooden floor in our big farm house. In their big hair rollers. While the girls were dancing and giggling over who they thought was the cutest our brothers were busy short sheeting the bed and putting crackers under the sheets . . 🤣🤣🤣 Great memories for sure.

[@stevetanner3019]

This song was the beginning of “Rock’N’Roll” in 1955 ❤️❤️

[@greystep6520]

It was recorded n release in spring of '54, second release - May 1955. And yeah, this isn't the first rock and roll song (rock n roll was formed in late 40s - early 50s)

[@Ellyfromhereandthere]

So glad I stumbled on to you guys. What fun.

[@cdfdesantis699]

The definitive sock hop song, & the original theme song for the '50's nostalgia TV show, "Happy Days".

[@susansoto9965]

The song that started it ALL

[@davidadams7578]

Right on man.

[@laurakali6522]

Check out The Stray Cats…..

[@niccoarcadia4179]

In my opinion this is the very first R&R song.

[@slucas60]

In school they use to have dances call Sock Hops, and this was always played among others.

[@FritsKist]

Dynamic reaction.

[@sharonpate5481]

This is a song from my sock hop days in school 😂☮️❤️🌻👵🏼

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

It was with Rock-and-Roll that the guitar began to take center stage as an instrument. Before that in the big bands it was generally for accompaniment and rhythm. When Les Paul invented the electric guitar the instrument came out of the background and with Rock-and-Roll it took center stage with a lot of music.

[@stephanim2436]

I always used to think this was just the theme song to Happy Days...💙👍

[@scottderechinsky9896]

Widely considered the first Rock and Roll song.

[@ColinStuart]

Remember that all of these songs from the '50s & '60s were made for the transistor radios and the car radio. The speakers couldn't handle the wide variety of sounds. You may have to reset your playback settings to achieve those settings!

[@fannyprice7529]

Maybe the No.1 song of the 50s!

[@sheilagimino6685]

Yep, Happy Days

[@cspaikido]

This song originally released in 1954 went nowhere. Then it was featured in the opening credits of a movie called "Blackboard Jungle" with Glen Ford as a teacher in a tough school, much like Sidney Poitier in "To Sir With Love" 1967. The song then shot to #1 for eight weeks.

[@dawnknox4640]

My dad loved these guys! Jimmy Dorsey, Jean Krupa Nat King Cole!