Who Is Haley? Bill Haley Jr., the Comets, and *Crazy Man, Crazy*
"Haley" in this context points to two connected things: Bill Haley, the rock 'n' roll pioneer who first recorded "Rock Around the Clock" era material with Bill Haley and the Comets, and Bill Haley Jr., his son, who now leads a five-piece band called Bill Haley Jr. and the Comets and co-wrote a biography of his father. If you want to know who the younger Haley is, what his band plays, or where to get the book Crazy Man, Crazy: The Bill Haley Story, the details below come from the band's official site.
The two Haleys, and how they connect
Bill Haley was the original rock 'n' roll bandleader whose Comets recorded the songs that helped define the genre's early sound. Bill Haley Jr. is his son — the site describes him as the singer's son and the co-author, with Peter Benjaminson, of Crazy Man, Crazy: The Bill Haley Story.
That family link matters for two reasons:
- The book is presented as the first complete biography of Bill Haley, built partly on Bill Haley Jr.'s personal family collection.
- The band is billed as a "Rock 'N' Roll History Show," with Bill Haley Jr. sharing inside stories and historical context behind the songs he performs.
What Bill Haley Jr. and the Comets actually perform
The group is described as a high-energy five-piece combo playing a crowd-pleasing set of songs first recorded at the dawn of rock 'n' roll by Bill Haley and the Comets, plus other popular tunes from the 1950s and '60s. The site emphasizes authenticity in sound and presentation.
The stated goal is audience participation: the site says to be prepared to jump, jive, dance, clap, stomp your feet, and sing along.
The five-piece lineup
| Member | Instrument / role |
|---|---|
| Bill Haley Jr. | Vocals, storytelling between songs |
| Kaj Hansen | Saxophone |
| Mike Denaro | Electric guitar |
| Christopher Davis Shannon | Upright bass |
| Rich Flamini | Drums (described as Gene Krupa-style) |
Crazy Man, Crazy: The Bill Haley Story — what's in it
According to the site, the book:
- Is written by Bill Haley Jr. with Peter Benjaminson.
- Covers the classic songs, wild performances, rough roadhouses, Hollywood high points, and the personal struggles that affected Bill Haley.
- Draws on extensive interviews with family members, ex-Comets, and business associates, plus decades of research.
- Includes rare and previously unseen photos from Bill Haley Jr.'s personal family collection.
- Is framed as the first complete biography to uncover the mystery of "the world's original rock 'n' roll superstar," covering both his public and private life, including his roles as a father and husband.
How to buy it
The site lists these purchase routes:
- Barnes & Noble and major bookstores.
- Amazon, by clicking a book cover on the site.
- Publishers: Backbeat Books for North America, Omnibus Books for the UK.
Where to hear the band
The official site points visitors to two galleries:
- Audio Gallery — to listen to and download music.
- Photo Gallery — to see photos of the band.
The site also lists sections for band bios, reviews, video gallery, and contacts, so booking or press inquiries go through the contacts page.
Quick answers
Is Bill Haley Jr. the same person as Bill Haley? No. Bill Haley was the original bandleader; Bill Haley Jr. is his son, who leads the current band and co-wrote the biography.
Does the band only play Bill Haley songs? No — the set includes songs first recorded by Bill Haley and the Comets plus other popular 1950s and '60s tunes.
Is the book self-published? The site names Backbeat Books (North America) and Omnibus Books (UK) as publishers, with retail through Barnes & Noble, major bookstores, and Amazon.