Which song by Bill Haley and His Comets became the first rock-and-roll song to hit number one on the American charts?

Which song by Bill Haley and His Comets became the first rock-and-roll song to hit number one on the American charts?

• A. Be-Bop-A-Lula
• B. Rock Around the Clock
• C. (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock
• D. Blue Suede Shoes

Answer: (C)

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets is the landmark track here because it became the first rock-and-roll song to reach number one on the American charts, climbing to the top in 1955. Its catchy, driving rhythm helped bring rock and roll into the national spotlight, crossing over from teen-pop and R&B roots to broad radio and mainstream audiences. The version in question is often listed with the parenthetical title, but it’s the same song, and that hit record status is what makes it historically first. The other songs listed were popular, but none of them reached the top position on the U.S. pop chart.