Bill Haley - the man who brought rock 'n' roll into the mainstream. His
song "Crazy Man, Crazy" was the first rock 'n' roll song to break the
Billboard Top 20 in 1953 and was followed by his evergreen "We're Gonna
Rock Around the Clock " the first song of its kind to hit #1. His
success made him an idol not only in the US but throughout the world,
from Canada to the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and
beyond. Yet Haley is often overlooked in the story of rock 'n' roll,
overshadowed by others who followed him, from sex symbol Elvis Presley
to wild man Jerry Lee Lewis and forever-young Buddy Holly. But Haley's
lack of visibility was in part his own doing: he had conflicted feelings
about fame, was extremely private, suffered chronic alcoholism, and
troubled relationships with multiple wives, which yielded ten children
who he struggled to support. Though he managed to carry on a successful
touring career, his demons eventually eroded his health, and in 1981, at
the age of only 55, he passed away. This book is written by esteemed
biographer Peter Benjaminson and Bill Haley Jr., Haley's son, a musician
himself, who tours the world paying tribute to his father's music.
Culled from interviews with insiders - from ex-wives to the Comets,
recorded conversations with Haley Sr., official documents, diaries, and
more, this book not only charts the happenings of Haley's career but
gives insight into the Haley behind the curtain and some of the other
trials he faced, from the dark side of the music business to ties with
Mafia. Featuring a collection of rare photographs, this book is a
must-have for any serious rock 'n' roll fan.
