From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Mon Sep 29, 2003  1:17 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Franny Beecher
 
FRANNY BEECHER (By Shaun Mather)

Born 29 September 1921, Norristown, Pennsylvania

Franny Beecher is the fleet fingered guitarist who managed to add 
a sprinkling of magic to virtually every Bill Haley track he played on.
Listen to the end of Rockin' Through the Rye or his solo on Saints
Rock 'n' Roll for just a couple of examples. Once you get the drift, 
have a listen to Goofin' Around.
Beecher bought his first guitar when he was eleven, having raised 
the $ 3 by moving old folks' garbage. He began his professional career 
as a guitarist in a country and western band called the "Buckaroo 
Rumblers" before honing his considerable jazz licks while playing 
for Buddy Greco and Benny Goodman. When he was introduced to
Bill Haley by steel guitarist Billy Williamson, Franny recalls that he 
was "working six nights a week with The Larry Wayne Trio, playing
everything from rumbas to polkas". Haley hired him for $175.00 a 
week, plus expenses. Haley and the Comets were on the verge of 
great things with "Shake, Rattle And Roll" and "Rock Around The 
Clock" already released although yet to break through nationally. 

It was a mark of Beecher's prowess that he was (and still is) able
to play Danny Cedrone's "Clock" solo note perfect. Once the group
went massive around the world, Beecher was happy to tour with the
band around the globe. He can be heard doing the quirky voice at 
the beginning of one of the groups biggest singles, "See You Later, 
Alligator". He remembers, "In two weeks the song shot straight up
to the top of the charts. And it went gold. Bill gave me a $250.00
bonus for what I did on the record - that was a lot of money back
in the fifties."

Franny was one of the mainstays of the group, staying until 1963, 
a few years after the real good times had ended. Another highlight of
his sound was his work on the Lifeguards, "Everybody Out Of The
Pool" where his guitar drives the instrumental along. He has been
an ever present since the Comets reformed a few years ago and his
guitar work, even in his 80's is amazing. A truly legendary figure in 
1950's rock 'n' roll.

Websites:
http://www.dontbotherknockin.com/favorite.htm
http://www.rockabillyhall.com/Comets.html
http://www.originalcomets.com/index.cfm