Bill Haley's Real Name: William John Clifton Haley Jr.

Quick answer: Bill Haley's real name was William John Clifton Haley Jr. He was born on July 6, 1925, in Highland Park, Michigan, and died on February 9, 1981. He led Bill Haley & His Comets.

Birth name and early career

William John Clifton Haley Jr.—universally known as Bill Haley—grew up with country and western music before turning toward rhythm and blues–inflected dance music with groups that evolved into the Comets. Library of Congress authorities list Haley, Bill, 1925–1981 (LOC; AllMusic; official memorial site).

"Bill" is the everyday short form of William; he did not invent a separate stage surname.

Rock Around the Clock and legacy

Haley and His Comets scored mid-1950s hits including "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and, most famously, "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock." The latter exploded after its use in the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle, reaching No. 1 and becoming an early rock-and-roll anthem for teenagers worldwide (New York Times obituary; AllMusic).

Though later eclipsed in the public mind by Elvis Presley and others, Haley is widely credited among historians as a key bridge from western swing and R&B into mainstream rock and roll. He continued to tour, especially in Europe, for years after the initial U.S. boom.

Bill Haley died on February 9, 1981, at age 55 (NYT).

Bill Haley & His Comets Rock Around the Clock / greatest hits CD Blackboard Jungle DVD/Blu-ray early rock and roll history books covering Haley