In this first week of July 2005 - NASA has made a "Deep Impact" on a comet. A great leap forward in science.

Exactly 50 years ago - in the first week of July 1955 - there was a "Deep Impact" here on Planet Earth. Involving "comets" of a different type...

That "Deep Impact" in July 1955 was the cultural explosion that took place when "Rock Around The Clock" became the first-ever rock 'n' roll song to top the charts. An impact that started the rock era and changed our world. The song was arranged and performed by Bill Haley & THE COMETS...

The five surviving members of the original lineup of The Comets - now in their 70's and 80's - are all big fans of space exploration. So to celebrate NASA's comet triumph and the 50th anniversary of the triumph of America's own Comets - this special music video has been created.

It features a live performance of the song in the summer of 1955 on "The Ed Sullivan Show" combined with a new specially-filmed live performance in the summer of 2005 by the five surviving original members of The Comets. Together with historic photos and imagery from the "Deep Impact" mission...

Video Clip The Comets: Deep Impact! (RealVideo, 5.2 MB) Music video created to celebrate NASA hitting a comet!

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CREDITS

1955 footage of Bill Haley & The Comets
From "Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics" DVD
Courtesy and © 2005 - SOFA Entertainment

2005 footage of The Comets
Courtesy and © 2005 - Springtime!

"Deep Impact" footage courtesy of NASA/JPL/UMD
Special Thanks to Sony Music Inc.

Filmed & Edited by Steve Payne
Conceived & Produced by Martin Lewis