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St. Paul, Minn.

When Blackboard Jungle introduced rock 'n' roll to the masses

Bill Haley and His Comets
Promotional portrait of American rock 'n' roll band Bill Haley & His Comets as they wear matching jackets, black pants and white shoes, January 1957.
Hulton Archive | Getty Images 1957

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Today's Morning Edition music is from the song "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets.

It didn't grab much attention when it was released as a B-side in 1954. But once it was featured in "Blackboard Jungle" the following year it quickly became a hit.

It was the first rock 'n' roll song to top the Billboard pop chart and is credited with introducing rock music to a mainstream audience.

• More Morning Edition music