Music Of My Youth (1) - Bill Haley ‘Rock Around The Clock’

rock n roll, bill haley, rock around the clock
@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! ----- If you're interested in the other posts of this series, click on the green bar at the top. You won't regret it! ----- Turn the loudspeakers on!
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13 people like this
11 responses
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
15 Feb 19
I've never really been a fan of rock 'n' roll but I can imagine the impact this song must have had on the youth of Europe at the time.
4 people like this
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
15 Feb 19
How do you feel when I tell you that you are simply too young to get this? It must rejuvenate you at once! :-)
4 people like this
@Fleura (30312)
• United Kingdom
15 Feb 19
When I was at school (and I know we are about the same age) this song still often used to be played at school discos and the like and everyone loved it, even though it was about 30 years old already by then!
3 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
15 Feb 19
@MALUSE Well these days there's not much I'm too young to get!
3 people like this
@Fleura (30312)
• United Kingdom
15 Feb 19
This song is still popular; it is a standard tune for the wind band my daughter plays in, and usually when they do a few of the oldies get up and dance!
3 people like this
@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.
@marguicha (222680)
• Chile
21 Jul 21
@MALUSE Agreed.
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
21 Jul 21
Elvis was charming and better looking.
1 person likes this
@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
@topffer (42156)
• France
15 Feb 19
@MALUSE And personally I know quite nothing about German culture.
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
15 Feb 19
This is the first time I hear about the Zazous. But then, I know next to nothing about French culture.
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!
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
19 Feb 19
Do you also know Boogie Woogie?
World cup boogie-woogie in Moscow 15.10.2011
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
19 Feb 19
@norcal These people didn't have to go to the gym! How much more fun than pumping irons.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
19 Feb 19
@MALUSE Here is my favorite by Bill Haley, "Rip it Up"
Great sound. Great dancing! For the TRUTH about Pop and Dance, hit http://damienatloppers.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/damien-on-the-history-of-pop-and-dance-mus...
@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
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
15 Feb 19
Bill Haley is better! Do have a listen.
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!
@LadyDuck (471188)
• Switzerland
16 Feb 19
It surely stayed a lot because I also remember the song very well. It's about one week that during dinner we listen to old songs from the 50's and 60's with my husband. My birthday approaches, we become nostalgic of the old times.
@Tampa_girl7 (50156)
• United States
19 Feb 19
I have my mama's old 45 record of this fun song
@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:
Monto By Luke Kelly On The Talk Show In 1970
@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...
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
15 Feb 19
What has this song to do with my topic? I've just seen that you've returned to Malta - spiritually, I presume.
1 person likes this
@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.