Let the good times roll again...

1951:

The revolution of music begins unnoticed by most. A relatively unknown Country & Western musician who is strongly influenced by "race music", combines rhythm & blues with elements of country music, creating a new musical style. Rock'n'Roll is born, and with it the new craze which starts to conquer the world.

This man is Bill Haley, father of Rock'n'Roll.

1981:

Bill Haley, who leads a withdrawn life at his Mexican-style villa in Texas, dies an unexpected death on 09 February - his heart stops beating to the rhythm of Rock'n'Roll. The world mourns its "indisputable King of Rock'n'Roll", the man who changed the life style of all following generations.

1987:

The "Golden 50's" are still alive. - Five musicians from different musical backgrounds gather around Joe "Bill" Clifton, forming "Bill Haley's New Comets" who conquer an audience consisting of two generations: the older ones who yearn to relive their own youth afresh, and the young kids who are now getting to know the initial Rock'n'Roll, and who are just as - or even more – fascinated by this vital music as their parents were thirty years ago.

since 1989:

Soon the success story of the "Haleys" (as the band is called by their fast- growing fan community) begins to read like a "Who is who" of Rock'n'Roll:

* International tours throughout Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, East Germany, the UK and the Canary Islands

* Festivals, open-air concerts and other events in nearly every German city

* Important oldie festivals, featuring stars like Tony Sheridan, Chris Andrews, Dave Dee, George Baker, Marmelade, Lords, Smokie, Troggs, Tremeloes, New Seekers, Suzy Quatro and many more

* Gala performances alongside many international stars

* Shows at trade fairs and exhibitions in major German cities

* 1989: Award for "Best German Tribute Band"

* One-and-only live band at the “German Rock'n'Roll Championship” in Hanover, “Rock'n'Roll World Championship” in Cologne, and the “Boogie-Woogie-Championship” in Berlin

* 1992: The first CD "Rock On Haley" is published

* 1993 German Music Award for "Best Revival Band"

* 1996: Permanent engagement at the Pink Petticoat 1950’s Revue , Cologne/Germany

* 1996-99: Permanent engagement at Warner Brothers Movie World, Bottrop/Germany

* 1998: Exclusive band at the European Presentation of the new 3er BMW with 27 shows

* 1999: Performance at the Ball of Stars, Germany’s VIP-event in Mannheim

* 2000: Permanent engagement in Wolfburg’s AUTOSTADT/Germany

* 2000: TV broadcast of a complete 90-minutes concert on VOX

* 2001: Publication of the second CD "Live On Stage"

* 2002: Support band for Leningrad Cowboys at their only concert in Germany

* 2004: "Artists of the Year" awarded by the German Artists Press

* 2004: European tour with Chuck Berry

* 2005: Release of the first DVD "50 Years Rock'n'Roll"

* Radio & TV presentations on both national and international stations such as ARD, ZDF, WDR, RTL, Tele-5 and BBC

The most important day for the "Haleys" remains November 05 1989, when - after 30 years - the "Original Comets" went back on stage in Bristol/UK, inviting "Haley Revival" to play for them. Impressed by the music and the authentic presentation of their tribute band, the American musicians officially gave the German performers permission to use their name and deemed them worthy successors of their work. This honor had never before been granted to any other tribute band. Marshall Lytle: "I saw Bill and myself on stage 40 years ago!" Further contacts and visits were to follow during other concerts in Germany, each memorable and exciting for both bands.

"Original Comets" & "Haley Revival" in Munich (1991)

"Original Comets" & our band leader Joe together on stage in Leverkusen (2000)

... and after the show in Leverkusen (2000)

... and together on stage again in Wolfsburg (2002)

20??:

What 's up next? - Joe "Bill" Clifton quotes Bill Haley:

"We keep on rockin'- even when we are old fogeys!"