Rock Around the Clock

Rock Around the Clock was an early song of the rock and roll genre written in 1953 by Max C. Freedman and James Myers (under the pseudonym Jimmy DeKnight). The song was written for Bill Haley (1925-81), a Pennsylvania-based musician, but was first recorded by an Italian-American band called Sonny Dae and His Knights in 1954. In April 1954, Bill Haley and his band, The Comets, recorded the song for Decca Records in New York City.

Initially unsuccessful, the song became an international hit, and the first acknowledged worldwide hit of the rock and roll era, after it was featured in the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle. Ultimately, the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged sales of more than 25 million copies.

At some point in the future, a recording of "Rock Around the Clock" (but not one by Haley) is played to entertain customers of Nostalgia Tours -- two of whom are the Seventh Doctor and Melanie Bush -- as they embark on a trip to 1959 Disneyland. (DW: Delta and the Bannermen)

Behind the scenes
A new recording of the song was made by Doctor Who house composer Keff McCulloch for its use here.