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I read today that Franny Beecher, Bill Haley's lead guitarist in The Comets has just died aged 92.

Sad loss, he was a superb player, and although the amazing Rock Around the Clock solo was played by Danny Cedrone (who died shortly afterwards) the following recordings featuring Franny contained some incredibly good guitar playing.

Cliff and The Shads were fans obviously, as they proved on the live Kingston LP with two Haley numbers (Razzle Dazzle and Dim Dim The Lights)in their stage act ....

God Bless Franny...

I am sad to hear of his death, a very underated player not usually cited as an influance by any of todays top guitarists . Some of the finest records ever made were by Bill Haley and His Comets from 1955 until they left Decca Records in 1959 a great set of musicians including Franny Beecher on all records of that period. there are not many of The Comets left now.

Derek Mowbray wrote:I am sad to hear of his death, a very underated player not usually cited as an influance by any of todays top guitarists . Some of the finest records ever made were by Bill Haley and His Comets from 1955 until they left Decca Records in 1959 a great set of musicians including Franny Beecher on all records of that period. there are not many of The Comets left now.

So sad news
I have good memories of concerts with the group in Switzerland and it was always a very nice experience.
As an attachment: A photo, which I did in the dressing room with Indra and Roland of Move It (20 Oct 2000 Rock 'n' Roll Festival Albisgüetli Zürich CH)