It was April 12th 1954, when Bill Haley and the Comets stepped into a recording studio in New York City to record a song that would change history! This week marks the 70th anniversary of ‘Rock Around the Clock’. There’s such a fascinating story behind this song – from its complicated authorship, to the session producer – Milt Gabler – the uncle of comedian Billy Crystal. The song stumbled out of the gate and would’ve been forgotten if not for a record in a kid’s collection that led to the song’s inclusion in the movie ‘Blackboard Jungle’ a year later.
‘Rock Around the Clock’ was the first rock’n’roll song to top the Billboard pop charts in 1955. But there were so many songs that helped pave the way going back decades – and I’ll play them as well – to tell the full story behind this milestone moment.
I’ll also salute the late Bobby Curtola – a Canadian teen idol of the early 60s, who helped build the modern Canadian music industry. And in the show’s first hour between 2-3pm., it’s the ‘Sunday Sock Hop’ packed with dance-floor memories and jukebox flashbacks. So if you’re a fan of classic rock’n’roll music, this is a show you can’t miss – please join me Sunday (April 14th) between 2:00 and 4:30 for a rock’n’roll ride into the past.