From 1949 until 1999 it just got mellow like a good old wine!
Yes unbelievable as it may seem Johnny Grande first joined up with Bill Haley 50 years ago. A couple of years later Marshall Lytle joined the group. He was swiflty followed by Joey and Dick. Franny Beecher joined the Comets in late 1955. These are the guys who cut the most exciting and best selling rock record of all time. I'm not even going to mention the title, because you all know what it is. But before that, they had scored respectable national sales with "Rock The Joint" and international success with "Crazy Man Crazy". So here they are at the dawning of a new millenium and they're still making history. Playing to SRO crowds all over the world with an energy and exuberance that puts all of todays so-called 'rock superstars' well and truly in the shade. But not content just to confine their activities to the stage. The boys are cutting records with new titles, not only re-makes of the original hits, but brand new specially commisioned songs like "You're Never Too Old To Rock" and the stunning "The House Is Rockin".

The Comets stage show kicks of with a note perfect rendition of 1954's "Shake Rattle and Roll", Jacko taking the vocal honours. This is swiftly followed by "Birth Of The Boogie", "Mambo Rock" and "Crazy Man Crazy". Franny Beecher a few days short of his 78th birthday then takes centre stage as his still nimble fingers pick out the notes of "Steel Guitar Rag", a show stopping tune, as he gradually increases the tempo to a frenetic pace towards the close of the number. Franny's vocal talents are also used to good effect as he re-creates his high pitched introduction to "See You Later Alligator" much to the delight of the audience.

Sax player Joey D'Ambrosio never seems to run out of breath. He must have extra capacity lungs, for no sooner has he played the intro to "Buona Sera" on his sax, than he is belting out a great vocal first verse, picking up the sax again for the instrumental and then singing the remainder of the song. Not to be outdone Dick Richards then leaves his seat at the drums and takes the microphone for a barnstorming Jodimars number "Well Now Dig This". The audience certainly do dig it - and how!

And  what can I say about  the man with the big double bass?  Marshall Lytle. During the performance his instrument is held aloft, ridden like a horse and spun around like a spinning top. Earlier on in the proceedings, he lends his inimitable vocal style to a string of rockin' numbers, culminating in what now, surely must be the ultimate version of "Rock the Joint".

After "Rock Around The Clock",the crowd don't want to let them go. For we are all transported back 45 years. Its 1955 and we experience first hand the energy and excitement these musicians and this music created. Two more encores follow, the "Saints Rock and Roll" and the aforementioned "Rock The Joint" which at its close includes the last verse of "Rock Around The Clock".

What a gracious group of gentlemen the Comets are. Everyone who wants an autograph or to shake the hands of these legends are not disapointed. For despite giving an exhausting set of some 15 songs, minutes after they leave the stage the boys appear in the foyer of the theatre to sign pictures, CD's, records and anything else fans may have brought along.

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