This Date in Rock Music History: September 30

1961:  After hearing 20-year-old Bob Dylan play harmonica in the studio for Carolyn Hester, producer John Hammond signed Dylan to a recording contract with Columbia Records and scheduled a recording session in October.

1963:  Sid Bernstein contacted Beatles manager Brian Epstein to inquire about arranging a U.S. tour for the group, which eventually led to Bernstein promoting the famous Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in New York City.
1964:  The Who were in concert at the Town Hall in Greenwich, Southeast London.
1965:  Donovan made his U.S. television debut on the television show Shindig!, joined by the Hollies, the Turtles and Lesley Gore.  Some sources also claim that the Dave Clark Five was on the show, but this is disputed.
1967:  Paul McCartney and John Lennon appeared on The David Frost Show.
1967:  "Funky Broadway" by Wilson Pickett set the pace on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 29

1956:  The Oh, Susanna Show, a strange name for what actually was The Gale Storm Show, debuted on CBS-TV and would air for five seasons.

1956:  Bill Haley owned five of the top songs in the U.K.--"Rockin' Through The Rye", "Saints Rock n' Roll", "Rock Around The Clock", "Razzle Dazzle"and "See You Later, Alligator".
1956:  Elvis Presley's double-sided smash "Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" resumed the #1 position on the R&B chart.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 28

1953:  Johnny Horton ("The Battle Of New Orleans") married the widow of Hank Williams, Billie Jean.

1962:  The Beatles performed at lunch at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England and then gave a show aboard the MV Royal Iris (commonly known as the Fish and Chip Boat) on the River Mersey.  Ray McFall, owner of the Cavern Club, organized the Riverboat Shuffles, with cruises beginning and ending at the Pier Head in Liverpool.
1963:  Disc jockey Murray the K in New York City played "She Loves You" by the Beatles on WINS-AM, believed to be the first time that a Beatles song was played in the United States.
1963:  Bobby Vinton continued to set the pace with four weeks at #1 on the Easy Listening chart for "Blue Velvet".
1963:  "Heat Wave" led the way on the R&B chart for Martha & the Vandellas.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 27

1963:  Cilla Black made her live television debut on Ready Steady Go! on British television singing "Love Of The Loved".

This Date in Rock Music History: September 26

1955:  Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher married in Grossinger, New York.

1956:  The city of Tupelo, Mississippi declared Elvis Presley Day in honor of its native son.
1957:  The Monotones recorded "Book Of Love".
1957:  The classic musical West Side Story opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.
1961:  Bob Dylan opened for the Greenbriar Boys at Gerde's Folk Club in New York's Greenwich Village.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 25

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1954:  Elvis released his second single on Sun Records--"Good Rockin' Tonight".

1956:  "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley became the first single in history to sell a million copies before its release.

This Date in Rock Music History: September 24

1955:  Elvis Presley performed on The Louisiana Hayride at the Shreveport Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, broadcast on KWKH-TV.  

1955:  Chuck Berry was on top of the R&B chart for the eighth straight week with "Maybellene".