Al Rex

Albert Floyd Piccirilli (July 13, 1928 – May 24, 2020), also known by his stage name Al Rex, was an American bass player for Bill Haley & His Comets and its predecessor Bill Haley and the Saddlemen.[2] He started playing for them in 1949 and became noted for "wild antics" on stage. He formed his own band, Al Rex and the Regaleers in 1960. He left the music industry soon after, although he continued to perform on occasion. He later had a wife[1] and fathered eight children.[3] On May 24, 2020, he died in his Norristown, Pennsylvania home from pneumonia.[4]

Al Rex
Al Rex in 1958
Background information
Birth nameAlbert Floyd Piccirilli[1]
Born(1928-07-13)July 13, 1928
Black Horse, Pennsylvania[1]
DiedMay 24, 2020(2020-05-24) (aged 91)
Norristown, Pennsylvania
GenresRock and roll, jazz, country
Occupation(s)Bassist
InstrumentsBass
Years active1949–1960
Associated actsBill Haley and the Saddlemen
Bill Haley & His Comets
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.

References
  1. "Clipped From The Philadelphia Inquirer". Newspapers.com. October 27, 1991. p. 311.
  2. "The Comets Timeline at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com.
  3. "Bill Haley". Wagner Verlag sucht Autoren – via Google Books.
  4. Puleo, Gary. "Pioneering bass player for the Comets passes away". Swathmore, PA: The Times Herald. Retrieved May 28, 2020.


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