Sonny Dae and His Knights
Encyclopedia
Sonny Dae and His Knights were an American vocal and instrumental group in the early 1950s. They were the first artists to record the hit song "Rock Around the Clock
".
The group comprised Italian-American singer Sonny Dae (real name Pascal Vennitti, b. 1931), pianist Hal Hogan, guitarist Art Bueno, and a fourth member recalled only as Mark. They were a novelty group, who billed themselves as "instrumental, vocal and fun makers", and had a regular slot on the Old Dominion Barn Dance
radio show in Richmond, Virginia
.
"Rock Around the Clock" was apparently co-authored by James E. Myers
(using the pseudonym Jimmy DeKnight), and was performed in stage shows in 1953 by his client Bill Haley
. However, Haley's record company, Essex Records
, initially refused to allow him to record it, because the company owner, Dave Miller, detested Myers and refused to allow his songs to be released on the label. Instead, Myers' business partner Jack Howard offered the song to Sonny Dae and His Knights, who recorded it in Philadelphia on 20 March 1954 (or, according to some other sources, late in 1953). It was released on Howard's Arcade label, and reviewed by Billboard in the R&B section. But the record achieved only modest local success. The B-side was an instrumental, "Moving Guitar". Haley then recorded his version of "Rock Around the Clock" on 12 April 1954, following which it eventually became a massive worldwide hit.
Sonny Dae & His Knights are not known to have made any other recordings.
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...
".
The group comprised Italian-American singer Sonny Dae (real name Pascal Vennitti, b. 1931), pianist Hal Hogan, guitarist Art Bueno, and a fourth member recalled only as Mark. They were a novelty group, who billed themselves as "instrumental, vocal and fun makers", and had a regular slot on the Old Dominion Barn Dance
Old Dominion Barn Dance
Old Dominion Barn Dance was an American country music radio show broadcast over WRVA-AM, Richmond, Virginia each Saturday night. "Sunshine Sue" was the host , followed by Carlton Haney . After 1957, the show was called New Dominion Barn Dance.- Performers :-References:* *...
radio show in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
.
"Rock Around the Clock" was apparently co-authored by James E. Myers
James E. Myers
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...
(using the pseudonym Jimmy DeKnight), and was performed in stage shows in 1953 by his client Bill Haley
Bill Haley
Bill Haley was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit song "Rock Around the Clock".-Early life and career:...
. However, Haley's record company, 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...
, initially refused to allow him to record it, because the company owner, Dave Miller, detested Myers and refused to allow his songs to be released on the label. Instead, Myers' business partner Jack Howard offered the song to Sonny Dae and His Knights, who recorded it in Philadelphia on 20 March 1954 (or, according to some other sources, late in 1953). It was released on Howard's Arcade label, and reviewed by Billboard in the R&B section. But the record achieved only modest local success. The B-side was an instrumental, "Moving Guitar". Haley then recorded his version of "Rock Around the Clock" on 12 April 1954, following which it eventually became a massive worldwide hit.
Sonny Dae & His Knights are not known to have made any other recordings.