It was during February of 1957 – 60 long years ago – when it was announced in the Eastern Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press that an event would be taking place – one which would worry the grown-ups and delight the 'cats.'

%image(14794380, type="article-full", alt="The news that Bill was coming and if you fancied a night out in Norwich of 60 years ago, you could get free cigarettes at the Samson & Hercules and they were teaching us how to rock �n� roll at the Gala. Photo: Archant Archive")

For many, life was never quite the same again. A black and white world was bursting into colour with the arrival of... crazy rock 'n' roll.

The kids turned into cool cats and teddy boys. The hair was getting big – beehives and quiffs - there was jiving in the streets and the music was getting louder and louder.

No wonder the oldies were getting worried.

The man to arrive in Norwich to pave the way for this raw and rather raunchy rock 'n' rock music was an unlikely-looking hero. A chubby chap with a kiss curl, a Homburg hat and loud socks. His name was Bill Haley.

%image(14794381, type="article-full", alt="Waiting for Bill and the boys at Thorpe Station. Photo: Archant Archive")

Elvis Presley he was not.

But he was the nearest we got to having an original rock 'n' roll king playing in Norwich. His music was so different, so new, so exciting.

People loved it or hated it at a time when there were even those who looked their noses at trad jazz and that 'awful' skiffle malarkey.

But occasionally trouble came with it.

%image(14794382, type="article-full", alt="Bill Haley and Franny Beecher playing together back in the 1950's. Picture: Archant Archive")

The warning signs arrived at the end of 1956 when the Rock Around the Clock triggered riots across the country and yes, there was even a spot of bother in Norwich, when it played at The Regal on Dereham Road. They were dancing in the aisles and running down the streets banging on cars.

There were reports that Teddy Boys from as far afield as Ipswich and King's Lynn had turned up for a 'spot of bother' but the police in Norwich were waiting for them.

So, when it was announced that Mr Haley and his Comets were actually coming to Norwich to play at the much-loved old Carlton Cinema, which became the Gaumont and then a bingo hall before being demolished, the authorities were slightly concerned.

Big Bill was really on his way. Two shows on at the Carlton on March 6, 1957. The tickets, 4,000 of them, were like gold dust and his arrival was planned like a military operation. The police and city fathers were worried about large-scale riots.

%image(14794383, type="article-full", alt="Couple dancing the jive. Picture: Archant Archive")

Fans gathered at Thorpe Station from the early hours waiting for the arrival of Bill and his Comets...to no avail.

Where was he?

More than a hundred fans were waiting for the Norfolkman train to pull in at midday, others assembled outside the Royal Hotel at the top of Prince of Wales Road, but there was no sign of the man himself.

Temperatures rose during the afternoon, crowds were waiting outside the Carlton....would Bill really be coming to Norwich?

%image(14794384, type="article-full", alt="The "Teen Beat Night" at the Samson and Hercules, Norwich. The dances that evening included the Limbo Rock, Locomition, Popeye, Hully Gully and The Twist - 9th January, 1963 . Picture: Archant Archive")

Then, according to the Evening News and EDP of the day, at seven minutes to seven when the first house was well under way: 'An ordinary Austin taxi stopped at the forgotten stage door and two homburg hats were swallowed up into the building. It was the nearest anyone got to a private glimpse of the man.'

Inside the picture house the tension was mounting. Among the audience and keeping a watchful eye on proceedings from the balcony was the Chief Constable of Norwich Alan Plume, in evening dress, and accompanied by local dignities.

'Mr Haley asks you all to keep to your seats,' came the announcement. 'Even when a girl in the front stalls stepped forward to lay her coat over the empty orchestra pit, there was a slight stir among the watchers,' said our report.

Then the warm-up acts were over and Mr Haley, complete with yellow fluorescent socks, walked on stage – and the roof almost came off the Carlton.

%image(14794385, type="article-full", alt="Carlton Cinema, All Saints Green, Norwich. Picture: Archant Archive")

The audience was clapping, stamping, screaming, bouncing and rocking. Even the balcony was rising and falling to the beat but our report does not say whether or not the Chief Constable was rocking!

Bill played his hits and of course they loved him.

They were still dancing in the streets and shouting 'rock, rock rock' long after the star had headed off into the night. He didn't hang about.

As our report said: 'People had to pay to see Mr Haley.'

%image(14794386, type="article-full", alt="Bill Haley. Picture: Archant Archive")

'To Jennifer. Best wishes always, Bill Haley'

That was the message from the man himself who had actually stayed at the Royal Hotel when he was in Norwich.

Jennifer Potter, who lived on Earlham Road, went to the hotel after hearing the rocker had booked in after his concert.

She was told he was in bed but left her autograph book at reception. A few others had done the same.

Sign them he did, and he also left a photograph and a list of his records.

There were no cheering fans when he headed off for his next concert in Doncaster.

The king had left the city...

Myra Watts (Hilton) was 16 when she and a group of friends who worked together went to see Bill Haley.

We were sitting at the front and I still remember just how exciting it was. All so different,' she said.

Marie Powell, who also was lucky enough to get a ticket, said: 'The show was electric. We were all dancing and screaming. I remember it well. What a performer Bill was.'