This Date in Rock Music History: August 9

1958:  Cliff Richard signed a recording contract with EMI Records and also began a four-week residency at Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex.
1960:  Johnny Horton recorded "North To Alaska" at Quonset Hut Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
1963:  The British television show Ready Steady Go! debuted on the BBC.
1964:  The Rolling Stones were live at the New Elizabeth Ballroom in Belle Vue, Manchester.
1965:  The Silkie recorded their version of "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away".  Paul McCartney played guitar, George Harrison played tambourine and John Lennon produced the song.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 8

1957:  We were introduced to the Fat Man as Fats Domino released his debut album This Is Fats.
1960:  Ferrante & Teicher had one of the fastest-rising songs of the decade as "Theme From 'The Apartment'" moved from #85 to #36.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed his smash hit "The Twist" on American Bandstand.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 7

1954:  Elvis Presley appeared at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis, Tennessee.

This Date in Rock Music History: August 6

1955:  "A Fool For You" by Ray Charles & His Band topped the R&B chart.
1956:  Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Frankie Lymon and Connie Francis (singing for actress Tuesday Weld) began work on the movie Rock, Rock, Rock!
1960:  The Beatles went to evaluate drummer Pete Best at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, England.  Best was with the group the Blackjacks and was the son of Casbah owner Mona Best.
1960:  Chubby Checker performed "The Twist" on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show.
1963:  Bob Dylan began recording the album The Times They Are A-Changin'.
1964:  Rod Stewart appeared on television for the first time with his group the Hootchie Coochie Men on the British show The Beat Room.
1965:  The Beatles released the album Help! in the U.K.  They released the album the following week (August 13) in the United States.