Bill Haley, Jr. and the Comets will perform “Rock Around the Clock” and many of Haley’s father’s tunes, 2 p.m. June 18, The Roxy Theatre, Northampton.

Yet the show Haley Jr. will perform is much more than just a “tribute” to Haley’s timeless rock ‘n’ roll music; it’s more a celebration of American music and a history lesson about the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.

Says Haley Jr., “My dad initially pursued country music. Back then it was known as hillbilly or western. That was his first love.

“But he was also exposed to rhythm and blues. And he was influenced by that.

“Really early on, he had a strong desire to come up with something that would make him famous.

“He wanted to create music that would get kids dancing again. So, he combined rhythm and blues with his other influences.”

In 1955, “Rock Around The Clock” became the first rock ‘n‘ roll record to go to No. 1 in July 1955. Bill Haley was the uncontested “pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll.”

He and his Comets, his able backing band, sat atop the Billboard charts.

“Rock Around The Clock” was No. 1 on the pop charts for two months and went to No 3 on the R&B chart after it was included on the soundtrack of the movie, “Blackboard Jungle” (1955). The song sold 25 million copies worldwide.

Haley Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, but not right away.

“Although I picked up a guitar around the age of 16, 17, I was never inspired to become a professional musician. I was intimidated by my dad’s fame.

“After my kids were grown in the late 1990s, I formed a band. We recorded a CD of original tunes. At one of my shows, someone asked if we could do my dad’s song, ‘Rock Around the Clock.’

“It was put out on YouTube. A music producer out of Florida heard it and reached out to us. It was then that we put in a plan to play my dad’s songs.”

Haley chose to do The Roxy concert on Father’s Day as a tribute to his father. Although he is based in Chester, Chester County, Haley does few concerts in the region.

Tickets: www.rockingthevalley; Information: THE Roxy Theatre, 2004 Main St., Northampton; 610-262-ROXY; https://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com/