Rock Around the Clock

Bill Haley & His Comets, 1954. Solo by Danny Cedrone.

Cedrone reused his own break from 'Rock the Joint', and its blurred descending run became a rock and roll blueprint.

Rock Around the Clock is one of rock and roll's foundational records, and Danny Cedrone's solo is a big part of its impact. He reused his own break from an earlier song, Rock the Joint, and its rapid, blurred descending run became a blueprint for rock and roll guitar. The solo is fast and energetic, blending swing and country influences with a new, driving intensity. Listen for the cascading run that tumbles down the neck, and for how tightly it locks with the rhythm section's slapping bass and steady drums, giving the song a sense of excitement that helped spark a musical revolution in the mid-1950s.

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets is ranked #154 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Danny Cedrone and the song was released in 1954. It appears on 2 lists, placing as high as #24 (Gibson.com (via Georgia Straight)).

In our lists

• One and Only — #22
• The Greatest Solo of Every Year — #11
• The Road Trip 50 — #34
• The 25 Greatest Rock and Roll Guitar Solos — #4
• The Pioneers: 1950s & 60s — #24
• Short & Perfect — #13

Sources

• Gibson.com (via Georgia Straight): Gibson.com's Top 50 Guitar Solos of All Time — #24
• Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #50