ArtistInfo

Bill Haley And The Saddlemen

Band,
Rock, World and Folk

In the mid 40s Bill Haley performed with a Country & Western group the The Down Homers he left in 1946. Returning to Philadelphia Haley then formed his own band called Bill Haley & Four Aces Of Western Swing that enjoyed quite a local popularity. David L. Miller who held had the earliest Saddlemen's releases on the label. By 1951 Miller launched a new label called Essex Records (3) and of course enroled the local Country & Western band and he suggested to rename the band to "Bill Haley and the Saddlemen". Along side Western Swing numbers the group started to perform and record R&B tunes such as Rocket 88 / Tearstains on My Heart or Icy Heart / Rock The Joint and early Pop R&R as Dance With A Dolly (With A Hole In Her Stockin') / Rocking Chair On The Moon Miller then soon repeat the suggestion that the group change their name again, this time for Bill Haley And His Comets after the Halley's Comet. Former members were Bill Haley, Al Rex, Billy Williamson and Johnny Grande Some of the other artists that played with the Saddlemen were : Al Constantine, Barney Banard, Arrett Keefer, Tex King (see here : https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Haley-Hillbilly-Haley/release/4662677#images/21888962 )

Members

	Bill Haley voc, g 1925-1981 US
	Billy Williamson voc, stg
	Johnny Grande acc, p 1930-2006 US
	Danny Cedrone g 1920-1954 US
	Al Rex b *1928 US
	Rex Trailer 1928-2013