<sod> '''Bill Haley''' (born [[July 6]], [[1925]]) is a [[rock and roll]] musician.
 
 He was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] and was raised in [[Pennsylvania]].  After making a number of unsuccessful [[country music]] singles in the [[1940s]], whilst working as a touring musician and later a DJ.  In [[1951]] he and his band, ''The Saddlemen'', changed styles, recording cover versions of [[Jackie Brenston]]'s ''"Rocket 88"'' and ''"Rock this Joint"''.  The relative success of the latter of these convinced Haley that he could be a successful rock and roller.  In [[1952]] ''The Saddlemen'' became [[Bill Haley and the Comets]], who were important in launching the music to a wider (white) audience. <eod> <sod>'''Bill Haley''' ([[July 6]], [[1925]] - [[February 9]], [[1981]]) was a [[rock and roll]] musician.
 
 He was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] and was raised in [[Pennsylvania]].  After making a number of unsuccessful [[country music]] singles in the [[1940s]], whilst working as a touring musician and later a DJ.  In [[1951]] he and his band, ''The Saddlemen'', changed styles, recording cover versions of [[Jackie Brenston]]'s ''"Rocket 88"'' and ''"Rock this Joint"''.  The relative success of the latter of these convinced Haley that he could be a successful rock and roller.  In [[1952]] ''The Saddlemen'' became [[Bill Haley and the Comets]], who were important in launching the music to a wider (white) audience. <eod>