Ralph Jones (February 28, 1921 – June 1, 2000) was an American drummer, best known for his work with

Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band founded in 1947 that continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From late 1954 to late 1956, the group record ...

. Jones was ultimately Haley's fifth, joining The Comets at their peak in 1955 and ultimately staying until 1960. Jones played on many of Haley's hit records on Decca, including "

See You Later, Alligator "See You Later, Alligator" is a 1950s rock and roll song written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Bobby Charles. The song was a Top Ten hit for Bill Haley and His Comets in 1956 in the United States, reaching no. 6 on ''Billboard ...

Career

Jones auditioned to become the drummer for The Comets in November 1955, replacing former drummer Don Raymond. At the time of joining, Jones was working as a milkman. With the recording of the hit "

" in December, Jones became the first drummer of the Comets to be featured in a recording session (previous drummers were replaced by session musicians).

Film appearances

He appeared as a member of the band in the 1950s films ''

Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was record ...

'' (1956), ''

Don't Knock the Rock ''Don't Knock the Rock'' is a 1956 American musical film starring Alan Dale and Alan Freed. Directed by Fred F. Sears, the film also features performances by Bill Haley & His Comets, Little Richard, The Treniers, and Dave Appell and the App ...

'' (1957), and ''Here I Am, Here I Stay'' (1958).

Legacy

In 2012, Jones along with most of the other 1950-1960 members of the Comets were inducted into the

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), sometimes simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and othe ...

References

1921 births 2000 deaths Bill Haley & His Comets members Musicians from New York City {{US-drummer-stub