 The belated success of "Rock Around the Clock" is attributed to its use in the soundtrack of the film "Blackboard Jungle," which was released on March 19, 1955.The song was re-released to coincide with the film and shifted to the single's A-side; it rose to the top of the American musical charts that summer and stayed there for eight weeks, the first rock and roll record to do so.Ambrose's acrobatic saxophone playing, along with Lytle on the double bass – literally on it, riding it like a pony, and holding it over his head – were highlights of the band's live performances during this time.