Jussi Huhtakangas wrote:...The original Comets played for the first time here in Helsinki in 2001 ... they played for a sold out theater and simply just blew the roof off the building. Here's a TV clip of their visit here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Hhl1t4Dq4
If you look closely you can see Franny Beecher playing my Standel amp
Getting back on the subject of the Comets, that's a great video, Jussi.
Two years later they played another gig... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX1U4ACCMJ0
It's amazing how much energy they put into their performance.
Going back to 1979, here is Bill Haley performing at my home town, Birmingham, England... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfEUF2525FM
Ray Parson who played the J 200 Gibson and sang backup and did the take off the stage for Haley played in my band from 1990 until 1997. Ray was a great singer in his own right and a great guy with lots of great stories about his days with the Comets. Sadly he passed away in 2011 in Cheyenne Wy. I miss his great booming voice.
George
His voice was so close to BIll Haley's that at first I thought they were playing back a recording of Bill singing and just playing the backing, but that was obviously not the case, as could be seen as soon as they did a close-up on the vocals, which I assume were from the Ray Parson that you mentioned.
I realise this is an old thread , but is very interesting.
Alan, you mentioned the book written by Haley Jrn.
I don't know if it is still in print, but I have tried to purchase a copy here in the UK but it seems only second hand copies are available but not in the UK. Some of the prices being asked are crazy, anything from £45 to £100.
I believe it's out of print. If ever I see another copy I'll buy it. I'm leaving for England a week today and I shall be in the Birmingham area for a month. That's my home town and I try to get back at least once a year.
