What was the name of the drummer of Bill Haley and the comets??

Answer 1

Charlie Higler was the first drummer, but only because Dick Richards wasn't available. The early versions of the band didn't even have a drummer.

According to: http://www.answers.com/topic/bill-haley
"The new name was adopted in the fall of 1952. At that time, the members were Haley, Grande, Williamson, and Lytle. Grande usually played piano on record, but switched to accordion for live shows as it was more portable than a piano and easier to deal with during musical numbers that involved a lot of dancing around. Soon after renaming the band, Haley hired his first drummer, Charlie Higler, though Higler was soon replaced by Dick Boccelli (a.k.a Dick Richards). During this time (and indeed, as late as the fall of 1955), Haley did not have a permanent lead guitar player, choosing to use session musicians on record and either playing lead guitar himself or having Williamson play steel solos, instead."

According to: http://www.actionpackedevents.com/Comets%20page.htmhttp://www.actionpackedevents.com/Comets%20page.htm
"Dick Richards (drums): Was Haley's first choice to drum in 1952 - but commitments precluded him joining till 1953. Played with The Comets 1953-1955. (Age: 81)"

The original group didn't have a drummer, because of Dick Richards absence. You can see a pictrue of him on this website. Charlie Higler was hired to fill in before Dick Richards joined the band, but he was quickly replaced by Dick Richards.

The source cited above contines:
"The five original members of The Comets range in age from 71 to 83 - with a cumulative 381 years between the five of them - and an average age of 76!!! The five original members of The Comets are:
Johnny Grande (piano): Founding member of the precursor to The Comets - The Saddlemen [1949-1952.] Founding member of The Comets in 1952. Played with the Comets 1952-1962. (Age: 75) Marshall Lytle (bass and vocals): Member of the Saddlemen [1951-1952] Founding member of the Comets in 1952. Played with The Comets 1952-1955. (Age: 71) Joey Ambrose (saxophone and vocals): First saxophonist to be a full member of the Comets. Joined 1954. Played with The Comets 1954-1955. (Age: 71) Dick Richards (drums): Was Haley's first choice to drum in 1952 - but commitments precluded him joining till 1953. Played with The Comets 1953-1955. (Age: 81) Franny Beecher (lead guitar): Session player with The Comets in 1954. Became first full-time lead guitarist in 1955. Played with The Comets 1954-1962. (Age: 83)

Three of the above musicians - Johnny Grande (piano), Marshall Lytle (bass) and Joey Ambrose (sax) played on the historic first recording of "Rock Around The Clock." The other four musicians on that session (all now departed) were: Bill Haley (guitar/vocal), Billy Williamson (steel guitar) and two session men; Danny Cedrone (lead guitar) and Billy Gussak (drums)."

Answer 2

G'day Irti,

Thank you for your question.

There have been a number drummers play as part of he Comets lineups but Dick Bocelli aka Dick Richards is the best known.

Over the years, Bill Haley and the Comets had several drummers. Soon after renaming the band in 1952, Haley hired his first drummer, Charlie Higler, though Higler was soon replaced by Dick Boccelli (a.k.a Dick Richards). Session musician Billy Gussak stood in for Bocelli when "Rock Around the Clock was recorded.

Bocelli quit the band with two other members of the Comets in 1955 to form the Jodimars. Ralph Jones became the drummer in the Comets. The Comets have toured between 1987 and 2006 with Richards (Bocelli) but without Haley. He was in the lineup admitted to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 3

Charlie Higler was the first, but was replaced by Dick Richards (Comet from 1953-55). However, even though Richards preformed the live shows, Haley preferred to use drummer (Billy Gussak) on all recording sessions with Decca Records. However, when Ralph Jones (Comet drummer from 1955-60) joined the group, Haley used Jones not only in the live shows, but on all the studio recordings(starting with See You Later Alligator). Jones is who does the drum solo on 'Rudy's Rock', also did all the big international tours, and is in movies 'Rock Around The Clock', and 'Don't Knock The Rock". He was also a movie buff and his home movies of the Comets on tour during their heyday (1955-60) are in high demand by music historians.

Answer 4

Bill Haley was the first to incorporate the blues into a jazz style and the media called it rock an roll. His beginning beats of music set generations to come.

Answer 5

Haley hired his first drummer, Charlie Higler, though Higler was soon replaced by Dick Boccelli (a.k.a Dick Richards).