Which song recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets became the first rock-and-roll song to hit number one on the American charts?

• A. Rock Around the Clock
• B. (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock
• C. Great Balls of Fire
• D. Blue Suede Shoes

Answer: (B)

The question is about recognizing a historic milestone in rock and roll: the first rock-and-roll record to reach number one on American charts. That distinction goes to "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets. Its rise to the top in the mid-1950s came as the record crossed over from niche radio and jukebox play into broad mainstream appeal, helped by a driving beat, memorable guitar riff, and a call to dance that captured a new energy of the era. This combination pushed it to the number-one spot, marking rock and roll's breakthrough onto the national stage. The other songs listed were influential in their own right but did not achieve that first chart-topping milestone in the U.S. at that time. The title is frequently shown with the parenthetical "We're Gonna," which is why that form is the one most often cited historically.