DECEMBER 4, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1944 - Chris Hillman, guitarist, bassist, mandolin player, singer and member of the bands The Desert Rose Band, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds, and Capitol Records band McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, is born in Los Angeles, California
1944 - Dennis Carl Wilson, songwriter, singer, and drummer with the Capitol Records band The Beach Boys, is born in Inglewood, California
1955 - L. Scott Folks, A&R man for Capitol Records, is born in New York City, New York

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Capitol Records artist Martha Tilton, along with future Capitol Records artist and actress Jane Russell and actress Toni Seven, appear and sign autographs at the "World's First Pin-Up Exhibition" at the Hollywood Canteen in Hollywood, California.
1944 - Bobby Sherwood (on trumpet and guitar) and His Orchestra (Eddie Green, Don Anderson, Bob Burns, and Bill Waddilove on trumpet; Burt Johnson, Bob Leeman, and Al Thompson on trombone; Joe McAnarney on clarinet and alto saxophone; Bob Graettinger on alto saxophone; Herbie Haymer on tenor saxophone; Eddie Lucas and Harry Schuchman on reeds; Hal Becker on piano; Basil Hutchinson on guitar; Don Tosti on bass; and Johnny Cyr on drums), using Sherwood's arrangements, record the (as of 2005) unissued track "My Poor Ol' Heart" and the tracks "Makin' Whoopee" and "In The Dark", and the (as of 2005) unissued track "Floatin'". Capitol Records will issue "Makin' Whoopee" on Sherwood's EP "Classics In Jazz - Bobby Sherwood" (EAP-2-320) and "In The Dark" on the compilation album "History Of Jazz, Volume 4 - This Modern Age" (CE-19).
1947 - Alvino Rey (on guitar) and His Orchestra (Dick Cathcart, Russ Granger, and Frank Nelson on trumpet; Billy Young on trumpet; Tasso Harris, Roger Thorndyke, Moe Schneider, and Ed Kiefer on trombone; Buff Estes and John Gruey on alto saxophone; Herbie Steward and Zoot Sims on tenor saxophone; Lee Yardum on baritone saxophone; Rocky Coluccio on piano; Chick Parnell on bass; and Don Lamond on drums) record the tracks "I Wish I Had A Girl" (vocals by Jimmy Joyce and The Blue Reys [Tom Kenny, Ralph Hall, and Blossom Dearie]), the (as of 2005) unissued track "Turkish Boogie", the track "The Friendly Mountains (vocals by Jimmy Joyce and ensemble [Billy Young, Rocky Coluccio]), and an (as of 2005) unissued take of the track "Anitra's Boogie" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 15167) with "Spanish Boogie" on the flip side and the third track as a single (Capitol 15104) with "Bye Bye Blues" on the flip side.
1947 - Eddie Kirk (on vocals) and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "A Little White House (With You Inside)", "What's Another Heart To You", "The Gods Were Angry With Me" (with Tex Ritter on narration vocals), and "No Tears Tomorrow" at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first tracks as a single (Capitol Americana 40127) with "Tomorrow The Sun Will Shine Again" on the flip side, the second track as a single (Capitol Americana 40092) with "A Petal From A Faded Rose" on the flip side, the third track as a single (Capitol 15176) with "You, Sweet Little You" on the flip side, and the last track as a single (Capitol 15310) with "You Drove Me To Another's Arms" on the flip side.
1947 - Cliffie Stone and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Here Comes Santa Claus", "The Christmas Waltz", and the (as of 2005) unissued tracks "Bye Bye Blues" and "I Love You Truly" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 15205).
1947 - Frank DeVol and His Orchestra (with DeVol conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians), records the tracks "One Thousand And One Nights", "Merry Widow Waltz", "Gold And Silver Waltz", and the (as of 2005) unissued track "You And I" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three tracks on DeVol's album "Viennese Waltzes" (CD-98).
1948 - Andy Russell and Della Russell (on vocals) record vocal overdubs on to instrumental tracks recorded earlier by unlisted musicians for the tracks "Is It Yes Or Is It No?" and "Rosita And Joe" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final versions of both tracks together as a single (Capitol 15343).
1949 - Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely's Capitol Records single "Slipping Around" is #4 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
1950 - Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra () record the tracks "Spain" (arranged by Paul Villepigue), "My Crime" (vocals by Bill Derry), "Theme For Cynthia" (arranged by Paul Villepigue), and "I'm A Dreamer" (vocals by Bill Derry and arranged by Johnny Richards) in Los Angeles, California. CAitol Records will issue the first track as as single (Capitol 1404) with "" on the flip side, the last two tracks together as a single (Capitol 1394) and Capitol Jazz, a division of Blue Note Recorsd, will issue all the tracks on Barnet's CD "The Capitol Big Band Sessions" (8-21258-2).
60 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Billy May and His Orchestra (with May conducting his own music and arrangements to: Uan Rasey and Mannie Klein on trumpet; Ed Kusby and Si Zentner on trombone; Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Jules Kinsler, Gordon Green, and Fred Falensby on saxophones; Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano; Allan Reuss on guitar; Phil Stephens on bass; John Cyr on drums; Kathryn Thompson on harp; and on strings: Ben Gill, Lou Raderman, and Mischa Russell on violins; David Sterkin on viola; and Cy Bernard on cello) record the instrumental tracks to go with the vocal tracks recorded on October 22, 1951 by William Boyd, Andy Clyde and Randy Brooks for "Hoppy's Happy Birthday: Part 1", "Hoppy's Happy Birthday: Part 2", "Hopalong Cassidy And the Two-Legged Wolf: Part 1", "Hopalong Cassidy And the Two-Legged Wolf: Part 2", "Hopalong Cassidy And The Story Of Topper: Part 1", and "Hopalong Cassidy And The Story Of Topper: Part 2" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California between 9:00pm and 12:00am. After three sessions of overdubs are recorded on December 19, 1951 and January 2, 1952 and June 26, 1952. Capitol Records will issue the final versions of the first two tracks on the children's album "Hoppy's Birthday" (CAS-3114), the final versions of the third and fourth tracks together on the children's album "Hopalong Cassidy And the Two-Legged Wolf" (CAS-3109), and the last two tracks together on the children's album "Hopalong Cassidy And The Story Of Topper" (CAS-3110).
60 Years Ago Today In 1951 - The Continental (aka Italian actor Renzo Cesana on narration and vocals) records the tracks "Where Was I?", "Take Me Back", "Violets For Your Fur", and "Walk The Lonesome Night" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 1951) and the last two tracks together as a single (Capitol 1989).
1952 - Sharkey (aka Sharkey Bonano, on trumpet) and His Kings Of Dixieland (Jack Delaney on trombone; Bujie Centobie on clarinet; Stanley Mendelsohn on piano; Arthur Pons on guitar; Joe Loyacano on bass; and Monk Hazell on drums) record the tracks "Keep It Secret", "Why Don't You Believe Me", "If I Had You" and the (as of 2005) unissued track "Sweethearts On Parade" in New Orleans, Louisiana. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 2329) and the last track as a single (Capitol 2709) with "Have You Ever Been Lonely" on the flip side.
1952 - Bas-Sheva (on vocals), with Harold Mooney and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "Mee She-Oso Nisim", "She-Yibone Beis Hamikdosh", "Habeit", and Retzel" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks together on Bas-Sheva's album "Soul Of A People" (L-8287).
1952 - Merle Travis (on vocals and guitar, with: Robert "Buddy Ray" Roy and Margie Ann Warren on fiddle; Billy Liebert on piano; Jack Rogers and Dick Stubbs Jr. on guitar; and Dale Warren on bass) records the tracks "I'll Have Myself A Ball", "Bayou Baby (A Cajan Lullaby)", "Green Cheese" and "Louisiana Boogie" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and third tracks together single (Capitol 2453), the second track as a single (Capitol 2336) with "Knee Deep In Trouble" on the flip side, and the last track as a single (Capitol 2902) with "Love Must Be Ketchin'" on the flip side.
1953 - Tenor saxophonist Bud Freeman, with Dick Cary on piano, George Barnes on guitar, Jack Lesberg on bass, and Don Lamond on drums, records the tracks "Margo's Seal", "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans", "I Could Write A Book", and "Blues For Tenor" (aka "Dorsey Brothers Blues"), in New York City for his self-titled Capitol Records 10" album that is part of Capitol's "Classics In Jazz" series.
1957 - Don Baker (on pipe organ) records the tracks "Dawn To The Dark Medley: Daybreak/It's A Most Unusual Day/Blue Evening/Three O'Clock In The Morning" and "Heart Medley: Love Here Is My Heart/My Sentimental Heart/There Goes My Heart/With All My Heart" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Baker's album "Medley Time" (T 997).
1958 - Keely Smith (on vocals), with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "It's Been A Long Time", "You're Driving Me Crazy", "Stardust", "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry, and the (as of 2005) unissued track "I've Got You Under My Skin" in Chicago, Illinois. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Smith's album "Swingin' Pretty" (T 1145).
1959 - Overdubs are recorded for Stan Freberg's tracks "The Old Payola Roll Blues, Part 1" and the second take of "The Old Payola Roll Blues, Part 2" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final version of both tracks together as a single (Capitol 4329).
1960 - Ray Budzilek and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Sweet Seventeen", "The Drummer Boy", "Helena Polka" and "Teenager's Wedding Waltz" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the tracks on Budzilek's album "Set Your Polka Feet A-Dancing" (T 1541).
50 Years Ago Today In 1961 - The Lettermen's Capitol Records single "When I Fall In Love" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.
50 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Vic Damone (on vocals), with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Milton Raskin on piano; H.J. Timbrell and Bob Gibbons on guitar; Myer Rubin on bass; Sid Bulkin, Emil Richards, and Ralph Hansell on percussion; Verlye Brilhart on harp; and on strings: Felix Slatkin, Paul Shure, Marshall Sosson, Dan Lube, Stanley Plummer, Robert Barene, Nathan Ross, Victor Arno, Marshall Moss, Lou Klass, James Getzoff, and Eudice Shapiro on violin; Ralph Lane, Paul Robyn, Alvin Dinkin, and Virginia Majewski on viola; David Pratt, Eleanor Slatkin, Joseph Saxon, and Victor Gottlieb on cello), records the tracks "Strange Enchantment", "The Hawaiian Wedding Song", "The Moon Of Manakoora", and "Shangri-La" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Damone's album "Strange Enchantment" (T 1691).
1962 - Charles Lee Guy III (on vocals and guitar), with Joe Maphis (on guitar), records the tracks "The Prisoner's Dream", "Shackles And Chains", "They're All Goin' Home But One", and "The Wall" at Vacaville Prison in California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Guy's eponymous album "Charles Lee Guy III" (T 1920).
1964 - H.B. Barnum and His Orchestra (with Barnum conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians) record the tracks "I Want To Be With You", "Colorful", "Golden Boy", "Stick Around" and "While The City Sleeps" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Barnum's album "Instrumental Hits From 'Golden Boy'" (T 2278).
1964 - Bobby Rydell (on vocals, with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Dansero", "Don't Be Afraid To Love Me", "Please Don't Stay Away Too Long", and "Diane" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Rydell's album "Somebody Loves You" (T 2281).
45 Years Ago Today In 1966 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Good Vibrations" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1967 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' album "Wild Honey"
1967 - Sounds Of Our Time (lineup unlisted) record the track "Too Much Of Nothing", the (as of 2005) unisued take of "Live For Life", and the tracks "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "The Look Of Love", "Summer Rain", and I Say A Little Prayer" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the rest of the tracks on the group's album "Love Is Blue" (ST 2892).
1967 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California Glen Campbell (on vocals), with Al DeLory conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "Reason To Believe" and "The Twelfth Of Never" and the (as of 2005) unissued tracks "The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp" and "Scarlett Ribbons" at the first session and a new take of the track "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" at the second session. After overdubs are recorded on September 18, 1968 Capitol Records will issue "Reason To Believe" on Campbell's album "Wichita Lineman" (SU-103), after overdubs are recorded on March 11, 1968 "The Twelfth Of Never" on Campbell's album "A New Place In The Sun" (ST 2907), and "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" on Campbell's CD "The Essential Glen Campbell, Volume 3" (8-33834-2).
1968 - Buck Owens and Susan Raye record the track "We're Gonna Get Together" for Capitol Records
1972 - Apple Records releases Wings' single "Hi Hi Hi" with "C Moon" on the flip side which is distributed by Capitol Records in the United States on a custom red label
30 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "My Favorite Memory" is #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1983 - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's Capitol Records single "Say Say Say" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1993 - Frank Zappa (born Frank Vincent Zappa), singer, songwriter, composer, band leader, conductor, pianist on tracks by Capitol Records group The Knack (the 1960s group, not the 1970s group) record producer and owner of the Barking Pumpkin Records label (whose releases were distributed by Capitol Records from 1984-1987), dies of cancer at his home in Laurel Canyon, California at age 52

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1927 - Future Capitol Records artist Duke Ellington’s first big band opens the famed Cotton Club in Harlem where it will play until 1932
1955 - Cassandra Wilson, singer, guitarist, and Blue Note Records artist, is born in Jackson, Mississippi. Blue Note is currently owned by Capitol Records parent company EMI.
1957 - Baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan (with Lee Konitz on alto saxophone; Allen Eager and Zoot Sims on alto and tenor saxophones; Al Cohn on tenor and baritone saxophone; Freddie Green on guitar; Henry Grimes on bass; and Dave Bailey on drums) begins two straight days of sessions in New York City, New York, recording tracks arranged by Bill Holman with producer Richard Bock for the Pacific Jazz album "The Gerry Mulligan Songbook". The Pacific Jazz catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records parent company EMI Music and manufactured and distributed by Capitol Records.
50 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Scepter Records releases The Shirelles' single "Baby It's You" which will later be recorded by the Capitol Records group The Beatles and performed by them during live concerts
40 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Don McLean's United Artists Records single "American Pie", which on the 45 is split into "Part 1" and "Part 2", enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. EMI Music, Capitol Records parent company, currently owns the United Artists catalog.
1988 - In Akron, Ohio, Virgin Records America artist Roy Orbison performs his last concert. Virgin Records America is currently owned by EMI Music, the parent company of Capitol Records.
1989 - Paula Abdul's Virgin Records America single "(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me" is #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Virgin Records America's catalog is currently owned by EMI Music, Capitol Record's parent company.
20 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Virgin Records America artist Paula Abdul is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Virgin Records America is currently owned by EMI Music, the parent company of Capitol Records.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1967 - Bert Lahr, character actor in burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway stage, motion pictures and television, dies at age 72 of pneumonia in New York City in the middle of filming "The Night They Raided Minksy's" and is later buried in Field Cemetery, Flushing, Queens, New York