On This Day in Rock and Roll History – May 19, 1956 British skiffle pioneer Lonnie Donegan made a major leap across the Atlantic when he appeared on The Perry Como Show, marking the kickoff of his U.S. tour with a rousing performance of his breakthrough hit, “Rock Island Line.” Originally a traditional American folk tune famously recorded by Lead Belly, “Rock Island Line” was transformed by Donegan into a fast-paced, finger-snapping anthem that brought a new energy to the mid-1950s music scene.