Bill Haley

Bill Haley – Rock The Joint! (1952/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 43:59 minutes | 405 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

Rock the Joint”, also known as “We’re Gonna Rock This Joint Tonight”, is a 1949 boogie song recorded by various proto-rock and roll singers, notably Jimmy Preston and early rock and roll singers, most notably Bill Haley in 1952. Preston’s version has been cited as a contender for being “the first rock and roll record”, and Haley’s is widely considered the first rockabilly record.

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Bill Haley – Rock Around The Clock (1955/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 39:11 minutes | 658 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Rock&Roll Classics

“Rock Around the Clock” is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym “Jimmy De Knight”) in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 for American Decca. It was a number one single for two months[6] and did well on the United Kingdom charts; the recording also reentered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Bill Haley & the Comets – Rock with Bill Haley & the Comets (2022 Remaster from the Original Somerset Tapes) (1955/2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 29:13 minutes | 605 MB | Genre: Rock & Roll
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Somerset

Bill Haley And His Comets were an American rock and roll band, founded in 1952 and continued until Haley’s death on February 9, 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley’s Comets (and variations thereof).

More than 100 musicians performed with Bill Haley And His Comets between 1952 and Haley’s death in 1981.

Members First Comets (1952-55):
Bill Haley (vocals, guitar, 1952-81)
Johnny Grande (piano, accordion, 1952-62)
Billy Williamson (steel guitar, 1952-64)
Marshall Lytle (string bass, 1952-55)
Joey D’Ambrosia (tenor sax, 1953-55)
Dick Richards (2) (drums, 1953-55)
Rudy Pompilli (sax, 1955-75)
Al Rex (double bass, 1955-58)
Ralph Jones (2) (drums, 1955-60)
Frank “Franny” Beecher (lead guitar, 1955-62)

Session musicians:
Billy Gussak (drums, 1953-55)
Danny Cedrone (electric guitar, 1952-54)
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Bill Haley & The Comets – Bill Haley’s Scrapbook (1970/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 39:03 minutes | 800 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Legacy Recordings

„The other live album from Haley’s December 16, 1969 appearance at the Bitter End is actually better in some respects than the 1950’s Rock ‘n Roll Revival. Much of this set was drawn from Haley’s second and third shows that day, on which he and the band were obviously feeling even more confident after a very successful first show, for what was to be his first official live album in eight years. The group lacks the cutting edge of a Chuck Berry set of the same period, in which audiences heard uncensored renditions of his raunchier lyrics – Haley and company keep their lyrics and the between-song patter clean. On the other hand, they play the hell out of a number like ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’,’ with Nick Masters turning in a bracing performance on lead guitar, bending a few notes and living up to the role of guitar hero.“ (Bruce Eder, AMG)
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Bill Haley – Strictly Instrumental! (1959/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:17:13 minutes | 1,32 GB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

Recorded over the span of more than 18 months, Strictly Instrumental was the ninth rock and roll album by Bill Haley & His Comets, and their final album of new material for Decca Records (although Decca would release previously unissued recordings during the 1960s). Produced by Milt Gabler (the last full album he would produce for Haley), the album collects instrumental recordings made by Haley and the Comets between June 1958 and their final Decca recording sessions in September 1959. (The band subsequently began recording for Warner Bros. Records in January 1960.)
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Bill Haley – For Dancers Only! (2005/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 43:59 minutes | 661 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

When so called “rock historians” wax academically about the birth of the big beat, Bill Haley and the Comets are referred to as sort of a one hit wonder responsible for only one hit. This is an injustice to a very significant and ROCKIN’ band. Chester, PA.’s Comets laid down some of the most infectious and exciting music of the 50’s. Anyone who has seen the riot footage of the Comets concert that is shown on some rock ‘n roll documentaries can attest to the power that these guys must have had live. This is the best overview of this swinging band. Haley came from a Western Swing background and that really shows on these sides. The music is highly danceable and the musicians are top-notch. The Comets are deserving of their due in the realm of all things rock n’ roll.
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