Music Of My Youth (1) - Bill Haley ‘Rock Around The Clock’
By M.-L.
@MALUSE (69373)
Germany
February 15, 2019 3:22pm CST
I’ve just listened to some Rock ’n Roll hits from the 1960s and watched (acrobatic) dance sessions of that time. I can’t say what triggered this walk down memory lane. Maybe I’m just in a nostalgic mood.
The hits I and my classmates listened to came from the radio, mostly from AFN (American Forces Network). This is the radio station for the entertainment of American service members worldwide.
One classmate wrote down the lists of the latest hits meticulously. Not only did he improve his English by doing this but he also found his calling through this hobby. Later he became the head honcho of the music section of one of the national radio stations.
‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Bill Haley & His Comets hit German ears in 1954. I’ve read on the net that it is the most successful rock disc of all times. Rock n Roll was a big thing in the USA, of course. But imagine the impression it made in Germany, ten years after the end of the Second World War! Distrusted, hated even by many oldies who had always only sung homey songs about the beauty of the fatherland and danced standard and folk dances. Yet, loved by the young ones who enjoyed the fresh air coming from across the Pond.
I was still a bit young when ’Rock Around the Clock’ became famous. The fact that I remember it well can only mean that it stayed in the hit list for a long time.
The oldies among the members may remember the time when they danced like crazy and swung their partners over their heads or let them crawl through their legs and deplore the fact that today similar gymnastics will lead them to the emergency ward of the nearest hospital.
The young ‘uns will see the generation of their (great)grandparents in a different light!
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13 people like this
11 responses
@marguicha (222680)
• Chile
21 Jul 21
I loved that song although I was too small when it came out. But I never could like Bill Haley the way I liked Elcis.
@topffer (42156)
• France
15 Feb 19
Things were different in Germany and France during WWII. We had here the "zazous", young people dancing on American swing and be-bop. French lyrics were often put on US musics to avoid censorship. At the end of the war, jazz invaded France, then rock came like a logical continuation. I had a look, and Boris Vian, who was not only a great writer, but also a lyricist and a jazz player, wrote his first rock'n roll in 1955.
I was not born in 1954, but I also enjoy this Rock around the clock hit.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search For other uses, see Zazou (disambiguation). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsource
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
15 Feb 19
@topffer So we are even with each other! :-) It's surprising isn't it, considering that we are neighbours geographically speaking. Well, at least we aren't arch enemies any more.
I learnt English and Latin at school. I could have chosen French after English but for some reason I thought Latin would be the more sensible choice.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
19 Feb 19
I must be a bit younger than you are. I was not born until 1956, and my with acquaintance Rock Around the Clock is due to the TV show "Happy Days." It's certainly a fun song though, and I'm glad I know it. I have watched videos of people doing the Jitterbug, and it certainly looks like fun!
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
15 Feb 19
Am not familiar with the original version; it's Elvis Presley's version that I am familiar with.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
15 Feb 19
That is a great song to get people moving but I'm not very acrobatic or a great dancer. I can tap my fingers and toes!
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
15 Feb 19
A firm favourite of my father's, as I remember going through our record collection when I was in my early teens, and there it was. Along with Bob Newhart, Glen Miller and The Dubliners:
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
15 Feb 19
@MALUSE Oh, it was there alongside the Bill Haley and his Comets record, y'see... it's a stream of consciousness thing. And my virtual tour has terminated in Malta, yes. Time to sell my galleon and make my way north and west...
This was another record from my father's collection:
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises The Grace L. Ferguson Airline (And Storm Door Co.) · Bob Newhart The Complete Albums 1960-62 ? 2016 Acrobat Li...
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 19
I've seen a few clips where the oldies are dancing up a storm but then forget they probably shouldn't try the 'over the head' bit.