Bill Haley Snr, and his band the Comets, was one of the original American rock ‘n’ roll bands. With huge hits like Rock Around the Clock and See You Later Alligator, the band, and Bill Haley, defined a generation.
The band went strong until Haley’s death in 1981. Bill had several children, one of whom, Bill Haley Jnr, was born with music in his veins.
Fond Memories
“I remember banging way on a cardboard box with drumsticks while Dad and the band practiced in our garage,” says Bill. “I have always loved that period in music; the history, the rebellion, the racial tension that all mixed to become rock ‘n’ roll. Partly it’s in my DNA of course, but I resisted following my father for a long time.
Bill spent a large part of his life forming his own musical identity, but history called after he released a CD of his original music, and a clip appeared on YouTube of him performing one of Bill Haley Snr’s hits.
New Zealand Tour
He is touring New Zealand next year with the Comets and is excited about bringing a bit of the 1950’s and 60’s to our part of the world. “I’ve never been to New Zealand,” says Bill. “I’m so excited to bring the show on tour – the band is superb and we are working really hard to honor the music we are playing.
“The songs are all little works of art in their own right. Personally, I really enjoy some of the earlier, less well known songs, but there is nothing like seeing smiles on people’s faces when we play!
“What I love about touring is hearing the fan’s stories; how they met their husband or wife at a Bill Haley show, or the memories the songs evoke. It is an honour.”
Ticket information
For more information about the Bill Haley Jnr and the Comets shows, playing throughout New Zealand in 2014, visit ticketek.co.nz or ticketdirect.co.nz