Mayor Johnny Grant has kindly sent me the images below from the opening night ceremonies. They came from a CD-ROM of images that were given to him by Capitol Records. Mayor Grant was unable to identify some of the people in the photos, so any help would be much appreciated. Simply comment on this post. Johnny was stationed to the right of the Tower lobby entrance in front of the Capitol Studios break room. Looking closely, you can see people in the room looking out at the goings on. There are also photos of Stan Chambers interviewing a few people. Stan was stationed to the left of the lobby entrance.
Paul Weston and Johnny. Weston, bandleader, arranger and husband of Jo Stafford, was Capitol's first music director and was also one of the founders of the Grammys. He, and his orchestra, can be heard on almost all of Capitol's early hits, either on their own or behind many of Capitol's greatest singers.
Mel Blanc and Johnny. Blanc was a recording artist for Capitol, doing both comedy records and recreating his Looney Tunes voices for many of Capitol's children's records.
Nelson Riddle with Johnny. Riddle was a master arranger and composer and was also a top-selling recording artist for Capitol.
Patty Andrews with Johnny. One of the famous Andrew Sisters who recorded solo for Capitol as well as with her sisters when they reunited also in 1956.
Actor Jeff Chandler, his wife and Johnny all looking up at something happening up above.
Ray Anthony, then wife Mamie Van Doren with Johnny. Big band leader Ray Anthony would record the first big band album in the Tower's studios adding to his many hit Capitol recordings.
Sheila MacRae, Johnny, and Gordon MacRae. Sheila would go on to be the 3rd Alice in the Honeymooners. Gordon would be on Capitol's first Gold Album "Oklahoma!" and was one of Capitol's hit recording artists with his series of records from famous musicals and operettas.
Connie Haines, Beryl Davis, Johnny and Jane Russell. Haines sang with both the Tommy Dorsey and Harry James bands. Davis sang with the Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Les Brown Bands. Russell also sang ("Button and Bows" in "Paleface", etc.) but is best know as an actress in movies like "The Outlaw", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", and many more. The three would later perform as a trio on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town"
Peter Potter and Johnny. Potter was a Hollywood DJ who also emceed the early TV panel show "Jukebox Jury"
David Rose with Johnny. Rose is best known for composing and recording "Holiday on Strings" and "The Stripper".
Bill Welsh with Johnny. Welsh was a president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and a sports and special events announcer on L.A.'s KTTV where he broadcast 48 consecutive Rose Bowl Parades.
Stan Chambers, Glenn Wallichs, and L.J. Brown, who was identified (many thanks) but I can't find any more info on Mr. Brown.
Stan Chambers with Lou Busch. Busch was a recording artist that led the revival of ragtime in the '50s under the name Joe "Fingers" Carr, he was also a Capitol A&R executive, studio pianist for Peggy Lee, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jo Stafford. He was also husband to one of Capitol's first female stars, Margaret Whiting. Many thanks to the anonymous tipster for the ID.
Unknown gentleman with Johnny. Possibly "Pinto" Colvig, the voice of Bozo on Capitol's children's records and the voice of Goofy for Walt Disney cartoons. Please help identify him.
An unknown gentleman, Marilyn Maxwell and Johnny. Mayor Grant thinks the woman is actress and singer Marilyn Maxwell but isn't positive. Please help identify both her and the gentleman.
Unknown woman with Johnny. Please help identify her.
Another unknown with Johnny. Please help identify.
Paul Weston and Johnny. Weston, bandleader, arranger and husband of Jo Stafford, was Capitol's first music director and was also one of the founders of the Grammys. He, and his orchestra, can be heard on almost all of Capitol's early hits, either on their own or behind many of Capitol's greatest singers.
Mel Blanc and Johnny. Blanc was a recording artist for Capitol, doing both comedy records and recreating his Looney Tunes voices for many of Capitol's children's records.
Nelson Riddle with Johnny. Riddle was a master arranger and composer and was also a top-selling recording artist for Capitol.
Patty Andrews with Johnny. One of the famous Andrew Sisters who recorded solo for Capitol as well as with her sisters when they reunited also in 1956.
Actor Jeff Chandler, his wife and Johnny all looking up at something happening up above.
Ray Anthony, then wife Mamie Van Doren with Johnny. Big band leader Ray Anthony would record the first big band album in the Tower's studios adding to his many hit Capitol recordings.
Sheila MacRae, Johnny, and Gordon MacRae. Sheila would go on to be the 3rd Alice in the Honeymooners. Gordon would be on Capitol's first Gold Album "Oklahoma!" and was one of Capitol's hit recording artists with his series of records from famous musicals and operettas.
Connie Haines, Beryl Davis, Johnny and Jane Russell. Haines sang with both the Tommy Dorsey and Harry James bands. Davis sang with the Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Les Brown Bands. Russell also sang ("Button and Bows" in "Paleface", etc.) but is best know as an actress in movies like "The Outlaw", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", and many more. The three would later perform as a trio on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town"
Peter Potter and Johnny. Potter was a Hollywood DJ who also emceed the early TV panel show "Jukebox Jury"
David Rose with Johnny. Rose is best known for composing and recording "Holiday on Strings" and "The Stripper".
Bill Welsh with Johnny. Welsh was a president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and a sports and special events announcer on L.A.'s KTTV where he broadcast 48 consecutive Rose Bowl Parades.
Stan Chambers, Glenn Wallichs, and L.J. Brown, who was identified (many thanks) but I can't find any more info on Mr. Brown.
Stan Chambers with Lou Busch. Busch was a recording artist that led the revival of ragtime in the '50s under the name Joe "Fingers" Carr, he was also a Capitol A&R executive, studio pianist for Peggy Lee, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jo Stafford. He was also husband to one of Capitol's first female stars, Margaret Whiting. Many thanks to the anonymous tipster for the ID. 
Unknown gentleman with Johnny. Possibly "Pinto" Colvig, the voice of Bozo on Capitol's children's records and the voice of Goofy for Walt Disney cartoons. Please help identify him.
An unknown gentleman, Marilyn Maxwell and Johnny. Mayor Grant thinks the woman is actress and singer Marilyn Maxwell but isn't positive. Please help identify both her and the gentleman.
Unknown woman with Johnny. Please help identify her.
Another unknown with Johnny. Please help identify.
1 comment:
Could the woman in the second to last picture be Debbie Reynolds?
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