For almost twenty years, Rudy had been the Comets anchor man, putting together groups of musicians for tours and recording dates. Without him Bill appeared lost and unsure, his voice even lowered slightly and the songs had to be set in lower keys. Despite this R-O-C-K was a fine album. He re-visited some of his earlier successes including a great rendition of the title track, and new versions of 'I'll Be True To You' and 'Farewell, So Long, Goodbye' that bettered the originals. The album closed with a very funky low down version of 'Mohair Sam' featuring a strong bass line played by Jim Lebak.

Bill's excellent '76 re-working of  'I Got A Woman'

Bill worked hard on this record and even brought his wife, Martha and their young son all the way from Mexico to the sessions. He was so encouraged by the results, that he undertook a short European tour soon after. That's when Rudy's loss really hit him, 'I can't play with these clowns' was how he expressed his frustration. This was also the beginning of the 'Punk Rock' era and a number of his shows were curtailed due to violent outbursts from the audience. All of this obviously had a cumulative effect on Bill and he decided to hang up his guitar and go into retirement for the next two and a half years.
 

Bill says . . .

Everyone Can Rock & Roll!
After Rudy's death Bill had become a virtual recluse at his home in Mexico.
But with the passing of Elvis Presley in the Summer of 1977, he saw a chance to re-establish himself as the figure head of rock n' roll. It was also nearing the 25th anniversary of the recording of 'Rock Around The Clock'. And so with this in mind he was persuaded out of retirement and back on the road. In March 1979 he began his penultimate UK tour. Meanwhile Sonet records were masterminding his next album. They brought in a young British producer, Kenny Denton, to bring the Haley sound up to date. Three tracks for 'Everyone Can Rock & Roll' were taped in London in April 1979, the rest of the recording was completed in Muscle Shoals in June. The result was one of Bill Haley's finest albums. Not since 'Rock Around The Country' had Bill presented so much new and exciting material. 'Hail, Hail Rock & Roll' and the title track were chosen for single releases, 'Let The Good Times Roll Again' celebrated the birth of rock, as the song says - 'from '54 to 1979 it just got mellow like a good old wine'. The crowning glory came in 'God Bless Rock & Roll '. In my opinion this is the finest song Bill Haley was ever to record. A superb arrangement coupled with emotive lyrics helped to produce a record every bit as good, if not better, than those he made back in the '50's.

The album was an artistic triumph and a fitting tribute to the 25th anniversary it was made to commemorate.

Sadly this record also has to serve as a final tribute to Bill, although further recording sessions were planned, he was never again to enter a recording studio.

God Bless Rock & Roll .

  ' . . . I go back to the places and all those happy faces under your spell '

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