Record #0826: See You Later, Alligator / The Paper Boy (on Main Street U.S.A.) – BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS

Decca BM 05530 (original, 1^st pressing) UK export, February 1956
Words & Music by:  Side A – Robert Guidry; Side B – Bill Haley, Catherine Cafra
Musicians: Bill Haley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Franny Beecher (lead guitar), Al Rex (upright bass), Billy Williamson (steel guitar), Rudy Pompilli (tenor sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Ralph Jones (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Milt Gabler at Decca Studios, Pythian Temple, New York, NY on 12. December 1955
Highest chart positions: Finland #6, US #6, US R&B #7, UK #7 (the single entered the UK chart on 10. March 1956)

I’ve posted the original US release here.

The matrix numbers (88995-1 and 88996-1) stamped into the dead wax indicate that this is the first pressing of the record. These were made in England for export only. The ones made for the UK market were under Brunswick label (Brunswick 05530).
These were exported to the continental Europe and especially to the Nordic countries; and this copy ended up in Finland.

List price: No list price could be found. The estimated market value is €25–€50 for a copy in Very Good condition and €100 or more for one in Near Mint condition.

Record #0825: (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock / Thirteen Women – BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS

Rhythm BM 5317 (original) Finland, November 1955
Words & Music by:  Side A – Jimmy DeKnight, Max C. Freedman; Side B – Dickie Thompson
Musicians: Bill Haley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Franny Beecher (guitar), Danny Cedrone (lead guitar), Marshall Lytle (upright bass), Billy Williamson (steel guitar), Joey Ambrose (tenor sax), Johnny Grande (piano), Billy Gussak (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Milt Gabler at Decca Studios, Pythian Temple, New York, NY, 12. April 1954
Highest chart positions:  US #1, US R&B #3, UK #1, Australia #1, Germany #18

I have posted the original US release here.

This record could be said to have introduced rock ’n’ roll to Finland. As in many other countries, “Rock Around the Clock” received a major boost from its appearance in the 1955 film “The Blackboard Jungle”, released in Finland as “Älä käännä heille selkääsi” (“Don’t Turn Your Back on Them”).

This was the second best selling foreign record in Finland in January 1956.

List price:  Discogs.com shows a median price of 10 euros for this.