"Rock Around The Clock"...
The day that music died is well documented in "American Pie" but was June 6, 1955 the day that Rock & Roll music started ??? It was on this day half a century ago that "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & the Comets was #1.
What should be recognized as the first Rock & Roll hit, "Rock Around The Clock" was bathed in controversy. The Rock classic was chosen as the theme song of the daring-for-the-fifties film, "Blackboard Jungle". It was a movie that was banned in several cities because of incendiary subplots (a school overrun by delinquents, the threatening of female teachers with rape and racial overtones). There was even some fear of the film sparking violence in schools across America. Of course in retrospect the only thing that "Blackboard Jungle" produced was the first Rock & Roll hit, "Rock Around The Clock". It also gave birth to the career of one of the stars of the TV classic "M*A*S*H". That would be Jameel Farah who we all know and love as Jamie Farr. But what great creative musical genius chose the song for the sound track ???
"Rock Around The Clock" was discovered by Peter Ford, the son of "Blackboard Jungle" star, Glenn Ford. Peter pulled it from a stack of his favorite singles and convinced his Dad to put it in the movie. "Rock Around The Clock" would rock the world as a chart topper and sell more than 25 million copies...
More June 6 Memories...
1944) U.S. troops land in Normandy , the beginning of the D-Day victory in Europe...The #1 song on this day: "I'll Get By" by Harry James...
1946) The Basketball of America Association meets to schedule its first season using 11 teams...the BAA becomes the NBA...
1955) "Rock Around The Clock" is #1...
1966) The Rolling Stones top the charts with "Paint It Black"...
1968) We lose Senator and perhaps future President, Robert Kennedy at the hands of Sirhan B. Sirhan...
1971) Gladys Knight & the Pips supply the music for the final episode of TV's "Ed Sullivan Show"...
1991) NBC announces Jay Leno as Johnny Carson's replacement starting May 25, 1992...
1992) David Bowie and model Iman tie the knot...
Birthdays...
1936) Levi Stubbs (4 Tops lead singer)...
1939) Gary U.S. Bonds...
1949) Robert Englund aka Freddy Kreuger...
1954) Diva Harvey Fierstein...
1967) Paul Giamatti...
1974) Uncle Kracker...
Commentary...
In light of the format change at my former home, WCBS-FM, I hope that my New York friends find some solace in reliving some good memories with this report by viewing what was happening on this date in history along with my views, interesting factoids and commentary. Please feel free to offer suggestions on ways to improve the report...
(As always, your comments are always welcome. It's as easy as clicking "comments")
