Max C. Freedman was a longtime Tin Pan Alley songwriter, best known for his song "Sioux City Sue." That is, until he joined forces with James E. Myers (aka. Jimmy DeKnight) in 1953 to write a novelty song called "Rock Around the Clock." The song was first offered to Bill Haley and the Comets to record for Essex Records, but Essex boss Dave Miller refused to allow the song. It was first recorded by Sonny Dae and His Knights for the Arcade label instead. On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley finally recorded the song for Decca Records and Max Freedman's name was immortalized with the birth of rock and roll music.
