OCTOBER 23, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1959 - "Weird Al" Yankovic, accordionist, song parodist, radio, television and motion picture actor, and Capitol Records artist (his debut, the 1979 parody single "My Bologna" with "School Cafeteria" on the flip side), is born Alfred Matthew Yankovic in Lynnwood, California

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1940 - The Orchestra of the German Opera House of Berlin, conducted by Walter Lutze, records Johann Strauss' "Waldmeister Overture: Part 1" and "Waldmeister Overture: Part 2" in Berlin, Germany. Capitol Records issues both tracks on the orchestra's album "Johann STRAUSS Operettas (Excerpts)" (P-8034).
1944 - Leon and Al Dixon Record the tracks "Bother Me No More", "Mystery Of Old #5", "T For Texas (Blue Yodel #1)", "Beaumont Rag", and "Moonlight And Skies" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. All of the tracks, as of 2005, are unissued.
65 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Edwing LeMar "Buddy" Cole records 14 tracks for The Capitol REcords Transcription Service in Los Angles, California. If anyone knows what tracks were recorded or if they were ever commercially issued, please leave a comment.
1947 - At two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California Benny Goodman (on clarinet) and His Orchestra (Vernon "Jake" Porter, Irving Goodman, George Seaburg, and Frank Beach on trumpet; Herbie Harper, Lou McGarity, and Tommy Pederson on trombone; Gus Bivona and Jack Dumont on alto saxophone; Babe Russin and Bumps Myers on tenor saxophone; Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone; Mel Powell on piano; Al Hendrickson on guitar; Artie Shapiro on bass; and Tommy Romersa on drums) record the tracks "On A Slow Boat To China" (with Al Hendrickson on vocals), "Sweet And Lovely" (arrangement by Mel Powell), and "Oooh! Look-A-There, Ain't She Pretty?" (with Emma Lou Welch on vocals) at the first session and "Back In Your Own Backyard" (also with Al Hendrickson on vocals), "Wrap You Troubles In Dreams", "That's A Plenty", and "Please Be Kind" at the second session. Capitol Records issues "On A Slow Boat To China" as a single (Capitol 15208) with "I Hate To Lose You" on the flip side, "Sweet And Lovely" and "Oooh! Look-A-There, Ain't She Pretty?" together as a single (Capitol 15020), "Back In Your Own Backyard" and "Wrap You Troubles In Dreams" on Goodman's album "Dizzy Fingers" (H-409), and has (of 2005) yet to issue "That's A Plenty" or the version of "Please Be Kind" that was recorded this day.
1949 - The Statesmen Quartet (Jack Hess on lead vocal; Bobby Strickland on tenor vocal; Bervin Kendrick on baritone vocal; James "Big Chief" Wetherington on bass vocal), with Hovie Lister on piano, record the tracks "The Santa Claus Song", "White Christmas", "The Land Where Living Waters Flow, and "If You've Never Learned To Pray" at radio station WCON in Atlanta, Georgia. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 57-40263) and the last two tracks together as a single (Capitol American 40289).
1949 - Louis Kaufman (on violin), with Orchestre Symphonique National, Paris (lineup unlisted) conducted by Roger Desormière, records Vivaldi's "Concerto In G Minor ('For The Dresden Orchestra'): 1st Movement - Allegro; 2nd Movement - Largo Non Molto; and 3rd Movement - Allegro", "Concerto In D Minor ('Senza Cantin'): 1st Movement - Allegro; 2nd Movement - Andante Molto; and 3rd Movement - Allegro", and "Concerto In E Flat Major: 1st Movement - Allegro Poco, Part 1; 1st Movement - Allegro Poco, Part 2; 2nd Movement - Largo Non Molto" and 3rd Movement - Allegro, part 1; and "3rd Movement - Allegro, part 2" at The Rex Cinema in Paris, France. Capitol Records issues "Concerto In G Minor" and "Concerto In D Minor" on Kaufman's album "VIVALDI - Concerto In G Minor/Concerto In D Minor" (ECL-8076) and "Concerto In E Flat Major" on his album "VIVALDI - Concerto In E Flat Major/Double Concerto In B Flat Major" (KCM-8091).
60 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Buddy Cole (as Eddie Grant, on organ with unlisted session musicians) records the tracks "The Petite Waltz", "Beyond The Reef", "Running Wild, and "Oh Baby" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 1296) and (as of 2005) has yet to issue the last two tracks.
60 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Johnny Pecon and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Isabella (Waltz)", "Ooh, What You Do To Me Polka" (with Nettie Pecon on vocals), "You're All I As For-Waltz" (with Johnny Pecon on vocals), and "Zip Polka" (featuring Lou Trebar on accordion) (listed as possibly) in New York City, New York. Capitol Records issues "Isabella" as a single (Capitol 1336) with "What Do I Care?" on the flip side, "Ooh, What you Do To Me Polka" as a single (Capitol 1527) with "Goose Polka" on the flip side, and "You're All That I Ask For" and "Zip Polka" together as a single (Capitol 1387).
60 Years Ago Today In 1950 - James Robert (on mandolin) and Martha Carson (on vocals), with The Gospel Singers (lineup unlisted), record the tracks "The Shining City" and "(I'm Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing", "I Ain't Gonna Sin No More" and "Lay Your Burdens At His Feet" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records issues the first and second tracks together as a single (Capitol 1530) and the last two tracks together as a single (Capitol 1380).
1951 - Ray Turner (on piano with Phil Stephens on bass and Nick Fatool on drums) records the tracks "Kitten On The Keys", "Canadian Capers" and "Dizzy Fingers". Capitol Records issues all the tracks on Turner's 10" album "Kitten On The Keys" (H-306).
1952 - Yma Sumac (on vocals), with Moises Vivanco and His Peruvians (lineup unlisted), records the track "K'arawi (Planting Song)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the track on Sumac's album "Voice Of The Xtabay" (H-423).
1953 - Kay Starr, with Walter Thomas conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records a remake of the track "I'll Always Be In Love With You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the track on Starr's album "One More Time" (T 1358).
1953 - At the same session held in New York City, New York June Hutton (on vocals), with Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "For The First Time In A Long Time" (with The Boys Next Door [lineup unlisted] on vocals), "You Say You're Sorry", and "Take Care Of Yourself" then Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the track "High Strung". Capitol Records issues "For The First Time In A Long Time" as a single (Capitol 2667) with "If It's The Last Thing I Do" on the flip side, "You Say You're Sorry" as a single (Capitol 2811) with "We Don't Wanna Go Home" on the flip side, (as of 2005) has yet to issue "Take Care Of Yourself", and issued "High Strung" as a single (Capitol 2661) with "Sadie Thompson's Song" on the flip side.
1956 - Ralph Pena (on bass) and Alvin Stoller (on drums) record overdubs for Billy May and His Orchestra's track "The Floater" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records issues the final version of this track as a single (Capitol F3598) with "Christopher Columbus" on the flip side.
1956 - Ken Errair (on vocals), with Pete Rugolo conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the tracks "Don't Take Your Love From Me", "Gone With The Wind", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "What A Difference A Day Makes" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on Errair's album "Solo Session" (T 807).
1957 - Ray Anthony (on trumpet) and His Orchestra (Al Porcino, Conrad Gozzo, and Gene Duermeyer on trombone; Hoyt Bohannon, Lew McCreary, Jimmy Priddy, and Joe Howard on trombone; Med Flory and Wilbur Schwartz on clarinet and alto saxophone; Jules Jacob and Jeff Massingill on tenor saxophone; Teddy Lee on baritone saxophone; Geoff Clarkson on piano; Al Viola on guitar; Don Simpson on bass; Eddie Grady on drums; and Lou Singer on percussion), using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the tracks "The Nearness Of You", "You'll Never Know", "It's The Talk Of The Town", "Pretend", "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", "My Private Melody", and "Moonlight Becomes You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues all the tracks, except "Moonlight Becomes You" (which as of 2005 remains unissed) on Anthony's album "The Dream Girl" (T 969).
1958 - At two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California Bob Bain (directing the orchestra with unlisted lineup) finishes recording "Frenesi" at the first session and "Brazil (Aquarela Do Brazil)" at the second session. Capitol Records issues the final version of "Frensesi" as well as "Brazil" on Bain's album "Latin Love" (T 1201).
1958 - Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Cha Cha Cacciatore", "Venezuela", and "St. Louis Blues Cha Cha" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks on Lombardo's album "Lombardo Goes Latin" (T 1191) and the last track as a single (Capitol F4098) with "Exactly Like You Cha Cha" on the flip side.
50 Years Ago Today In 1959 - Jackie Davis (on organ with unlisted guitar and drums players) records the tracks "The Glow Worm Cha Cha", "Lady Play Your Mandolin", "Heat Wave", and "Ain't She Sweet" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on Davis' album "Jackie Davis At The Console - Hammond Gone Cha Cha" (T 1338).
1959 - Dick Williams (on vocals), with Jack Marshall's Music (lineup unlisted) records the tracks "Somewhere Along The Way", "Love Is Nothin' But The Blues", "Love Letters" and "It Could Happen To You" in New York City New York. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on Williams' album "Love Is Nothin' But The Blues" (T 1330)
50 Years Ago Today In 1960 - At two sessions held this day at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California The Pastors (Tony Pastor, Guy Pastor, Tony Pastor Jr. on vocals), with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Mannie Klein on trumpet; William Schaefer on trombone; Wilbur Schwartz and Jules Jacob on saxophones; Edwin "Buddy" Cole and Dick Hazard on piano; Al Hendrickson on guitar; John Kitzmiller on bass; Nick Fatool on drums) and The Jud Conlon Singers (vocal chorus with unlisted lineup), record the tracks "A Picture Of Happiness", "Little Old New York", "Good Clean Fun", "Artificial Flowers", and "Tommy, Tommy" at the first session between 2:00 and 5:00 pm and "My Miss Mary", "Lord Of All Creation", My Gentle Young Johnny", and "Dear Friends" at the second session between 5:30 pm and 8:30pm. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on The Pastor's album "Cut Up Tenderloin" (T 1534).
50 Years Ago Today In 1960 - At three sessions held this day in New York City, New York the original Broadway cast of "Tenderloin", with Hal Hastings conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) using arrangments by Carl Fisher, record the tracks "Overture" (an instrumental), "Bless This Land" (vocals by a choir with unlisted lineup), "Reform" (vocals by Lee Becker, Carvel Carter, and Nancy Emes), "Reform (Reprise)" (vocals by The Girls with unlisted lineup), "My Miss Mary" (vocals by Ron Hussman and Wynne Miller), and "Tommy, Tommy" (with vocals by Wynne Miller) at the first session, "The Picture Of Happiness (vocals by Margery Gray and Ron Hussman), "Little Old New York" (vocals by Lee Becker and Eileen Rogers), "Finale" (vocals by Maurice Evans), "How The Money Changes Hands" (vocals by Lee Becker, Maurice Evans, Christine Norden, Eddie Phillips, and Eileen Rogers), and "Artificial Flowers" at the second session, and "The Army Of The Just" (vocals by Charles Aschmann, Lanny Davis, Maurice Evans, Stokeley Gray, and Eileen Rogers), "Good Clean Fun" (vocals by Maurice Evans), "The Trial" (vocals by Raymond Bramley, Rex Everhart, Irene Kane, and Wynne Miller), "Dear Friend" (vocals by Maurice Evans), "My Gentle Young Johnny" (vocals by Eileen Rogers), "What's In it For You?" (vocals by Marice Evans and Ron Hussman), and "Dr. Brock (vocals by Maurcie Evans) at the third session. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on the original Broadway cast album "Tenderloin" (WAO 1492).
1961 - The Journeymen (John Phillips and Scott McKenzie on vocals and guitar and Dick Weissman on guitar and banjo) record the tracks "Kumbaya" and "Oh, Miss Mary" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues "Kumbaya" as a single (Capitol 4678) with "Soft Blow The Summer Winds" on the flip side and "Oh, Miss Mary" on the CD "Capitol Collectors Series - The Journeymen" (7-98536-2).
1961 - Pat Suzuki records the tracks "Frenesi", "Down Argentina Way", and "Cuanto Le Gusta" in New York City, New York for Capitol Records which, as of 2005, has yet to issue any of the tracks.
1961 - Tommy Sands (on vocals), with The Jordanaires (vocal group, lineup unlisted), records the tracks "Jimmy's Song", "Queen In Calio", "The Wrong Side Of Love", "Five Foot Deep In Teardrops" and "Just A Little Bit Blue" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records issues the first and third tracks together as a single (Capitol F4660) and, as of 2005, yet to issue the other three tracks.
1962 - George Chakiris (on vocals with unlisted session musicians) records the tracks "Reputation", "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", "Moon River", "Lollipops And Roses", and "Teach, Me Tonight" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which, as of 2005, has yet to issue any of the tracks.
1962 - Jimmy Rowles (on piano and vocals) and Friends (Howard Roberts on guitar; Max Bennett on bass; and either Nick Martinis or Shelly Manne on drums) record the tracks "A Porter's Love Song To A Chambermaid", "Maybe You'll Be There", and "Maria Elena" with Nick Martinis on drums and "How Can We Be Wrong?", "Miss Brown To You", and "Sugar" with Shelly Manne on drums in Studio A of The Capitol Tower Studios with producer Dave Cavanaugh. Capitol Records issues all the tracks, except "Maria Elena" (which is, as of 2005, still unissued) on the group's album "Kinda Groovy" (T 1831).
1963 - Cy Coleman (on piano with unlisted session musicians) records the tracks "Theme From 'The Prize'", "You Turn Me On, Baby", and "the Girls Of Athens" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol Records 5086) and the last track as a single (Capitol 5130) with "I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life" on the flip side.
1963 - At two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California Jack Sheldon records the tracks "Historia De Un Amor", "La Clarin De La Tarde", "A Taste Of Honey", "Bodega Bay", and "Wait And See" at the first session and "On The Alamo", "The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else", "Orrance", "Samantha", and "Inez" at the second session for Capitol Records which, as of 2005, has yet to issue any of the tracks.
1963 - During two sessions held this day in New York City, New York The Lettermen (Jim Pike, Tony Butala, and Bob Engemann on vocals), with Jimmie Haskell conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the track "I'll Never Stop Loving You", "Can't Help Falling In Love With You", "Friendly Persuasion", and "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" at the first session and "Prety Blue Eyes", "Too Young", "Dearly Beloved", and "Till" at the second session. Capitol Records issues all the tracks on the group's album "A Lettermen Kind Of Love" (T 2013).
1967 - Fred Neil (on vocals), with unlisted session musicians, records the tracks "You Don't Miss Your Water", "Looks Like Rain/Brazos Medley", and "Felicity" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues "You Don't Miss Your Water" on Neil's album "The Other Side Of This Life" (ST-657) and the other two tracks on Neil's album "Fred Neil Sessions" (ST 2862).
1967 - The Outsiders (Tom King on vocals and the leader of the vocal group: Emmett "Sonny" Geraci, Richard Biagiola, William "Bill" Bruno, and Richard D'Amato) with unlisted musicians, record the tracks "Little Bit Of Lovin'", "Why Shouldn't I Have A Cry Now", "All This (She Does To Me)", and an untitled track in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues "Little Bit Of Lovin'" as a single (Capitol 2055) with "" on the flip side, Why Shouldn't I Have A Cry Now" on the CD "Capitol Collectors Series - The Outsiders" (7-94076-2), and (as of 2005) has yet to issue either of the other two tracks.
1967 - Al Martino (on vocals with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "The Shadow Of Your Smile", "A Voice In The Choir", "The Glory Of Love" and "Walk Away" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records issues the first, third and last tracks on Martino's album "This Is Al Martino" (T 2843) and the second and third tracks together as a single (Capitol 2053).
1968 - Overdubs are recorded for John Stewart and Buffy Ford's track "July, You're A Woman". Capitol Records will issue the final version of the track on the duo's album "Signals Through The Glass" (ST 2975).
1968 - Denny McLain records the tracks "Cute", "Girl Talk", the medley "Meditation/The Girl From Ipanema", the medley "Do You Know The Way To San Jose/Walk On By", and "What The World Needs Now" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which, as of 2005, has yet to issue any of the tracks
1968 - Johnny and Jonie Mosby (on vocals), with James Burton's Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Odds And Ends", "Loose Talk", "Just Hold My Hand" (overdubs for this track will be recorded on November 25, 1968), and "Which One Is To Blame" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the final version of all the tracks on the duo's album "Just Hold My Hand" (ST-170).
1968 - Jimmy Jones, conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the band tracks for Tony Sandler and Ralph Young's tracks "Life Is", "Trains And Boats And Plains", "Cuando Sali De Cuba (The Wind Will Change Tomorrow)" and "The Three Bells" in New York City, New York. After three sessions of vocal overdubs by Sandler and Young in November 1968) Capitol Records will issue the first, third and last tracks on the duo's album "Together" (ST-159) and, as of 2005, has yet to issue "Trains And Boats And Planes".
1969 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased of Tommy Stand and The Upper Hand's tracks "I Wanna Testify", "Funky Way To Treat Somebody", "Instant Reaction", "Am I Groovin' You", and "Satisfying My Hunger" which were recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Fame Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, issues "I Wanna Testify" and "Am I Groovin' You" together as a single (Fame 1480) and Funky Way To Treat Someone" and "Instant Reaction" together as a single (Fame 1462). "Satisfying My Hunger" is listed as possibly unissued as of 2005.
1969 - Curley Barrix (on vocals with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Every Night You Make My Day", "Heavenly Sunshine", and "Let's Build A World Together" in Nashville, Tennessee for Capitol Records which, as of 2005, yet to issue any of the tracks.
1972 - Peter & Alex (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Miss America" and "Illusive Butterfly" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues "Miss America" as a single (Capitol 3571) with "Maria Magdalena" on the flip side and, as of 2005, has yet to issue "Illusive Butterfly.
1972 - Shirley Eikhard records the tracks "Right On Believin'", "Wherever You Go", and "I Just Wanted You To Know" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 3578) and, as of 2005, yet to issue the last track.
1973 - Merle Haggard (with unlisted session musicians) records the tracks "That's The Way Love Goes", "Got A Letter From My Kid Today", "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" and an unlisted title that may possibly have not been recorded in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Record issues "Got A Letter From My Kid Today" on Haggard's album "A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today" (ST-11693), "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" on Haggard's album "Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album" (ST-11331), and as of 2005 yet to issue either of the other tracks.
1973 - Ashish Khan records the tracks "Anata", "Prayer", "10 Beat", and "Allah Ranka" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records and, as of 2005, none of the tracks are listed as issued.
1974 - John Lennon records the track "Move Over Ms. L" at the Record Plant in New York City which will be the flip side of his Apple Records single "Stand By Me" and is distributed by Capitol Records in the United States
35 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Cheryl Ladd records the track "He's Lookin' More Everyday", "Country Love", "Love And Honor", and "Homemade Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 4215) but, as of 2005, has yet to issue the last two tracks.
35 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Overdubs are recorded for James Talley's tracks "Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again", "Sometimes I Think About Suzanne", "She Tries Not To Cry", "Tryin' Like The Devil", "She's The One", and "You Can't Ever Tell" (location and session details unlisted). Capitol Records will issue the final versions of all the tracks on Talley's album "Tryin' Like The Devil" (ST-11494).
30 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Sammy Hagar (on vocals and guitars with unlisted session musicians) records the tracks "This Planet's On Fire" and "Love Or Money" for Capitol Records. There is no listing for where the tracks were recorded. Capitol Records, as of 2005, has yet to issue either track.
1984 - Alcatrazz (lineup listed as probably: Graham Bonnet on vocals; Jimmy Waldo on keyboards and vocals; Steven Vai on guitar and vocals; Gary Shea on bass; and Jon Uvena on drums, percussion, and vocals) records the track "Desert Diamond" in Los Angeles, Calfornia. Capitol Records issues the track on the band's album "Disturbing The Peace" (ST-12385).
25 Years Ago Today In 1985 - Paul McCartney signs as a solo artist with Capitol Records
1986 - Esquerita (born Eskew Reeder, Jr.), pianist, singer, mentor to Little Richard, and Capitol Records artist (1958-1959), dies at age 51 of A.I.D.S. in Harlem, New York
1994 - Foo Fighters finish recording tracks for their self-titled debut Capitol Records album at Laundry Room Studios, Seattle, Washington
1997 - Capitol Records releases Grand Funk Railroad's live album "Bosnia"
2001 - Capitol Records re-releases on CD John Lennon and Yoko Ono's album "Milk And Honey", originally released on Polydor Records, with an extra interview track at the end. I did the production design on the re-release with the only real change on the cover being that I recentered their names to just the trim width because they had be centered on the original to width of the cover plus the bleed so that when the booklet was trimmed, the names were off-centered slightly, and I raised the image to make sure that Yoko's heart necklace would not be trimmed off.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson), singer, Vaudeville, Broadway, motion picture and radio actor, and the 20th century's first pop recording star, dies at age 64 of a heart attack. An estimated 20,000 people had attended Jolson's funeral service at Temple Israel of Hollywood and he was later interred Beth Olam Cemetery. When the cemetary would not allow his family to place a memorial to Jolson, in 1951 he was re-interred in a memorial structure in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California. You can see his monument very clearly when driving on the 405 though few know at what they're looking. Hillside's website has a good overview of all the behind-the-scenes negotiations that went on to bring Jolson's remains to them.