Interesting thread...
Yes, Bill Haley Rocked out some awesome tunes, & if you think back to 1951, it was actually 'Rock The Joint" that started Rock 'n' Roll.
Of course Dick, Joey & the recently passed on Marshall Lytle (an awesome bass player, great guy & friend of mine) left to form The Jodimars (I believe in 1955), so have a listen to that stuff too!
Not to take anything away from any of the greats, oh, & someone should mention Benny Joy too :-)