Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution!

MY UNCLE, DANNY CEDRONE - Created a signature guitar solo which he used on a number of recordings, including two with Bill Haley: "Rock the Joint" (1952) and "Rock Around the Clock" (1954). He was born in New York and raised in Philly. He played locally in Philadelphia with his group the Esquire Boys and they released a song written for them by Bill Haley called Rock A Beatin' Boogie in 1954. Bill Haley was a good friend of Danny Cedrone, and every time Bill recorded he insisted that Danny be on hand to play lead guitar. Danny played on most of Haley's recordings from 1949-1954. In April of 1954, Danny was called to the studio to help Haley and the Comets record their first Decca record 13 Women and Rock Around The Clock. Amazingly, Decca released 13 Women as the "A" side, and the record sunk without a chance to be heard. A year later, Rock Around The Clock was used over the credits of a movie called "Blackboard Jungle". The song took off immediately and established itself as the first multi-media Rock & Roll hit. Rock & Roll songs had been recorded as early as 1951, but Rock Around The Clock was the first song to achieve unanimous popularity. Danny Cedrone never lived to see his work accepted; he died six weeks after the song was recorded. He slipped, fell down a flight of stairs, broke his neck in three places, and died instantly. He was 33 years old. He died weeks after recording "Shake Rattle and Roll" and months before "Rock Around the Clock" became a worldwide hit. Numerous guitar players over the years, including Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Chris Spedding, Brian Setzer, Danny Gatton, Reverend Horton Heat and the group Ten Years After have gone on record as naming Cedrone's solo on "Rock Around the Clock" as an influence on their own work. THANKFULLY HE IS NOW IN THE ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME. He certainly deserves the recognition for his work. The true guitarist for Bill Haley and the Comets.

For Bill Haley fans this is a must read, and even the casual music history buff will enjoy it. The book contains interesting and relevant details, but not so much to wander away from the main topic or resort to "filler." If you don't know the story and characters behind "Rock Around the Clock," this is the perfect book to hear the rest of the story. Lots of pictures, too! Highly recommend.