Final answer:
Bill Haley and His Comets' cover recording that soared to the top of the charts in 1954 was "Rock Around the Clock," serving as a rebel anthem for the youth and a milestone in rock and roll history.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1954, Bill Haley and His Comets' cover recording of Joe Turner's R&B hit "Rock Around the Clock"—widely played by radio stations that would not have touched the R&B version—quickly soared to the top of the popular music charts.
The song provided the youth with an anthem for their rebellion and became synonymous with the emergence of rock and roll as a genre. It was also featured in the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle, further cementing its place in popular culture and leading teens to declare their independence from adult control.
"Rock Around the Clock" not only achieved mainstream success but also became an important symbol in the tearing down of racial barriers in music.
It demonstrated how white artists like Bill Haley could interpret and popularize music motifs originating from African American communities, leading to a broader appreciation of rock and roll by white youths.