AUGUST 12, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1929 - Buck Owens, guitarist, singer, bandleader, television variety show co-host, record producer, and Capitol Records artist, is born Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. in Sherman, Texas

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1948 - Dean Martin signs his first contract with Capitol Records
1974 - To commemorate his 25th anniversary with the label, Capitol Records releases two double album compilations by Tennessee Ernie Ford entitled "Yesterday" (blue cover containing Gospel Hymns) and "Today" (lavender cover containing Ford's pop hits)
1977 - The Beatles' Capitol Records album "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" is certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A.
1985 - Kyu Sakamoto, singer and Capitol Records artist (best known for his #1 single "Sukiyaki"), dies in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 near Tokyo, Japan that also kills, both on board and on the ground, 520 other people
10 Years Ago Today In 1998 - Tanya Tucker and Tanya Tucker, Inc., bring suit against Capitol Records, Inc., alleging breach of contract in two counts and sought compensatory damages, attorney fees and pre-judgment interest, along with a trial by jury.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1881 - Cecil B. DeMille, motion picture director, is born Cecil Blount DeMille in Ashfield, Massachusetts. DeMille's movie "The Squaw Man" was the first feature length film shot in Hollywood for the fledgling Laskey Players Company. The movie's success would lead to creating a permanent studio in Hollywood which would become Paramount Pictures. Paramount Pictures would eventually hire Buddy DeSylva as production manager. This would give him enough money of his own to be able to invest $25,000 with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs to form Capitol Records.
1960 - Pete Best, drummer, auditions for The Beatles at the Blue Angel Club

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL HISTORY
1972 - The last U.S. ground troops withdraw from Vietnam