Al Rex

Al Rex
Bill Haley and His Comets in 1956. Left to right: Rudy Pompilli, Billy Williamson, Al Rex, Johnny Grande, Ralph Jones, Franny Beecher. Top: Bill Haley.
Background information
Birth name	Albert Piccirilli
Born	July 13, 1928 New York City, New York
Genres	Jazz, country
Occupation(s)	Bassist
Instruments	Bass
Years active	1949–present
Associated acts	Bill Haley and the Saddlemen Bill Haley & His Comets

Al Rex (born Albert Piccirilli; July 13, 1928) was a bass player for Bill Haley & His Comets and its predecessor Bill Haley and the Saddlemen.^[1] He started playing for them in 1949 and became noted for "wild antics" on stage. When the band began to wane he formed his own Al Rex and the Regaleers in 1960, but this was not successful and he ultimately left the music industry. Although he still performed on occasion. He later had a wife^[2] and fathered twelve children.^[3]

References

1. The Comets Timeline at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2. No Longer A Rising Star, Former Comet Recalls The Ride by Stephanie Banchero and special to The Inquirer of October 27, 1991
3. Bill Haley by Otto Fuchs