Joey Welz

Joey Welz, rock ‘n roll boogie woogie king

By Gina PA Music Scene ~ February 04, 2010

Joey Welz – Lititz native Joey Welz is a rock ‘n roll legend best known as the featured pianist with Bill Haley’s Comets.

Welz is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a recording artist, record producer and label owner with his 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 Millennium Music Conference 14 performance at Carley’s Ristorante & Piano Bar in Harrisburg.

Since his first hit “Boppin’ the Stroll” in 1959, Welz has written over 1000 published songs, recorded over 35 vinyl albums, 75 single 45 RPM records and 60 CDs.

In 1962, Joey Welz played the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany around the same time the Beatles rocked the famed club with the legendary fast-paced performances.

Welz is a 2008 member of the Memphis Heritage Music Hall of Fame, Gold Charter Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He still performs with Bill Haley’s Comets with his Comet friend Al Rappa and sings Bill Haley’s hits on the Comets Show.

Carly’s Ristorante is a quaint Italian style restaurant which is completely smoke-free. Rustic wood, brick walls, candles and piano music accents the ambience. Welz will be performing at Carley’s Ristorante & Piano Bar 204 Locust Street Harrisburg, Pa. at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20 as part of the Millennium Music Conference 14.

Check out the below youtube.com video where Welz reminisces about his Star-Club time and claims to be responsible for naming The Beatles. Below that is Welz’ “Boppin’ the Stroll.”

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