James E. Myers
Encyclopedia
James E. Myers was an American
songwriter, actor, producer, and raconteur.
Myers is best known as the credited co-writer of "Rock Around the Clock
" for which he used the pseudonym
"Jimmy DeKnight". Myers co-wrote the song with Max C. Freedman,http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293218/bio though doubt has been cast as to whether Myers actually participated in the writing of the song.
"Rock Around the Clock" was published in early 1953. Although Bill Haley & His Comets
were supposed to be the first to record it, a dispute between Myers and Dave Miller
, Haley's producer for Essex Records
prevented Haley from doing so (though Haley later claimed he tried several times to record it at Essex). The first recording of the song was made by an Italian-American band, Sonny Dae & His Knights; Haley finally recorded it in 1954 for Decca Records
and in 1955, the song became the first No. 1 record of the Rock and Roll
era.
Myers' songwriting career dated back to the 1940s, and his DeKnight moniker appears on several country and western recordings made by Haley in the 1949-51 era. Myers formed Myers Music to publish songs, and oversaw many of his own compositions as well as a number of Haley originals such as "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie". It is also believed that Myers played drums on an early recording by Haley's pre-Comets group, the Saddlemen, though this has yet to be definitively confirmed. A later claim by Myers (cited in John Swenson's biography Bill Haley: The Daddy of Rock and Roll) that he played drums on "Rock Around the Clock" has been debunked by the existence of an official recording session document indicating the drummer was Billy Gussak
.
The relationship between Myers and Haley collapsed in 1955-56 when Myers began providing songs to The Jodimars
, a group made up of former Comets.
In later years, Myers turned to acting, appearing in small roles in a number of films such as The China Syndrome
; he also directed at least two films under his Jimmy DeKnight nom de plume. He also wrote an autobiography based upon his experiences in World War II
entitled Hell in a Foxhole, and opened a museum in his home dedicated to "Rock Around the Clock".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter, actor, producer, and raconteur.
Myers is best known as the credited co-writer of "Rock Around the Clock
Rock Around the Clock
"Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954...
" for which he used the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"Jimmy DeKnight". Myers co-wrote the song with Max C. Freedman,http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293218/bio though doubt has been cast as to whether Myers actually participated in the writing of the song.
"Rock Around the Clock" was published in early 1953. Although Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets was an American rock and roll band that was founded in 1952 and continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band, also known by the names Bill Haley and The Comets and Bill Haley's Comets , was the earliest group of white musicians to bring rock and roll to the attention of...
were supposed to be the first to record it, a dispute between Myers and Dave Miller
Dave Miller (producer)
Dave Miller was a record producer and the founder of many budget album record companies.-Biography:...
, Haley's producer for Essex Records
Essex Records
Essex Records was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1951 by David Miller primarily to record contemporary country and western, rhythm and blues as well as jazz and gospel. Jack Howard was the promotion manager. The label had little popular success. They issued a 1954 single called "Oh, Mein...
prevented Haley from doing so (though Haley later claimed he tried several times to record it at Essex). The first recording of the song was made by an Italian-American band, Sonny Dae & His Knights; Haley finally recorded it in 1954 for Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
and in 1955, the song became the first No. 1 record of the Rock and Roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
era.
Myers' songwriting career dated back to the 1940s, and his DeKnight moniker appears on several country and western recordings made by Haley in the 1949-51 era. Myers formed Myers Music to publish songs, and oversaw many of his own compositions as well as a number of Haley originals such as "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie". It is also believed that Myers played drums on an early recording by Haley's pre-Comets group, the Saddlemen, though this has yet to be definitively confirmed. A later claim by Myers (cited in John Swenson's biography Bill Haley: The Daddy of Rock and Roll) that he played drums on "Rock Around the Clock" has been debunked by the existence of an official recording session document indicating the drummer was Billy Gussak
Billy Gussak
William "Billy" Gussak was an American jazz and recording session drummer, best known for being the drummer on the classic 12 April 1954 recording of "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets...
.
The relationship between Myers and Haley collapsed in 1955-56 when Myers began providing songs to The Jodimars
The Jodimars
The Jodimars was an American rock and roll band that was formed in the summer of 1955 and remained active until 1958. The band was created by former members of Bill Haley & His Comets who had quit that group in a salary dispute...
, a group made up of former Comets.
In later years, Myers turned to acting, appearing in small roles in a number of films such as The China Syndrome
The China Syndrome
The China Syndrome is a 1979 American thriller film that tells the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant. It stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady, James Hampton, Peter Donat, Richard Herd, and Wilford Brimley.The film was...
; he also directed at least two films under his Jimmy DeKnight nom de plume. He also wrote an autobiography based upon his experiences in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
entitled Hell in a Foxhole, and opened a museum in his home dedicated to "Rock Around the Clock".
External links
- Rockabilly Hall of Fame tribute page including interview
- Webpage on the history of "Rock Around the Clock"
- http://www.geocities.com/shakin_stacks/jimmymyers.txt
- http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BarryMeyersIntvw.html
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsolqP4tscI - (Rock Around The Clock video).