Bill Haley – dubbed ‘the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll’
Ray Cleere recalls the life and career of Bill Haley, dubbed ‘The Father of Rock and Roll’, who died 40 years ago on February 9, 1981
For most Europeans, rock and roll began with Bill Haley and particularly with ‘Rock Around the Clock’ which gained success from being selected as the theme song for the film ‘The Blackboard Jungle’.
Born William John Clifton Haley, on July 6th, 1925, at Highland Park, a Detroit suburb, Bill Haley spent a decade in obscurity before finding fame in the mid-fifties as the first idol of the rock and roll era.
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Western Swing king and founder of Cowboys & Indians Erik Swanson dies Musician Erik Swanson was a larger-than-life figure.
Courtesy photo Musician Erik Swanson, who ruled the Western Swing genre in Dallas, died on February 16 at his home. He was 57. According to friends of the family, Swanson had been suffering from ALS, aka amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Swanson was in a number of bands, including Cowboys & Indians, where he served as singer and dynamic frontman, always wearing a cowboy hat, always with a gregarious charm. The band released two albums, 1995 s
The Western Life, and 1998 s
A Big Night in Cowtown. He also performed with Texas Gypsies, Shoot Low Sheriff, and Over the River, a bluegrass band in which longtime Dallas musician Kim Herriage also played.
At the age of 13, Sullivan was welcomed into his father s band. I always like to say I was thrown into the deep end of the pool because I was just a beginner and these guys were professional players, Sullivan said.
Through the years, Sullivan s music and professional career has taken him around the world and allowed him to play among notable musicians and bands.
Sullivan, who lived in Topeka for 25 years and served as executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center from 1988-1996, will be honored in July for his musical contributions to the state when he is inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.
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