From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Oct 26, 2002  2:07 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Jimmy Myers
 
JIMMY MYERS (JIMMY DE KNIGHT)

Born James E. Myers, 26 October 1919, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died 9 May 2001, Bonita Springs, Florida

Jimmy Myers was one of the key characters from the founding days
of rock 'n' roll. He was a drummer in his own band before joining the
Army during WW II. After serving in the South Pacific, he returned to
his hometown Philadelphia to become a songwriter, country music
promoter, music publisher and booking agent. One of his first bands
was called The Knights Of Rhythm, which inspired his alter ego
Jimmy DeKnight, the name he used as a songwriter.
One of his writing partners was Max Freedman, a veteran of New York's
Tin Pan Alley. In 1953, Freedman helped him finish writing "Rock Around
The Clock", which was first recorded by Sonny Dae and his Knightas for
the Arcade label, and then, on April 12, 1954, by Bill Haley and his Comets.
Initially released as the B-side of "Thirteen Women", the record did not sell
in large quantities until "Clock" was used for the opening credits of the
Richard Brooks movie "Blackboard Jungle". By June 1955, "Rock Around
The Clock" was the number one song across America and the rock 'n' roll
revolution was underway. Though Myers went on composing (he has written
some 300 songs) and also worked in Hollywood for 10 years, such was the
enormity of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" that he never really
had to do another day's work in his life. The song has been recorded by
more than 500 artists in 32 languages and is probably the biggest selling
song of all time.

More info: http://www.rockabillyhall.com/JamesMyers.html