New Jersey City Claims It's the Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll

Cleveland, Memphis, Hattiesburg and Galveston now have another opponent over rock 'n' roll birthplace bragging rights. City officials in Gloucester City, New Jersey are now claiming that the genre was born in there little town. Their justification? Bill Haley had a running gig at the city's famed Twin Bar back in the early '50s. At the time, the future frontman of Bill Haley and His Comets was a struggling DJ and country singer. But it was reportedly at the Twin Bar where he started experimenting with an edgier sound, mixing country and R&B into a groove that was later dubbed "rock 'n' roll."

Gloucester officials are hoping the historic claim will help boost tourism and the city's redevelopment efforts. They held a ceremony yesterday to officially declare their city the birthplace of rock, and they're planning a music festival to continue the celebration next month.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame curator Jim Henke says this is all news to him, adding that rock 'n' roll was a "gradual evolution" and in addition to Haley, its pioneers include Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and many others.