DECEMBER 31, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1909 - Jonah Jones, trumpet player, singer, band leader, and Capitol Records artist, is born Robert Elliott Jones in Louisville, Kentucky. If anyone knows for sure which year, please leave a comment.
1928 - Ross Barbour, vocalist with the Capitol Records group The Four Freshmen, is born in Columbus, Indiana

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Tex Ritter's Capitol Records single "I’m Wastin’ My Tears On You", with "There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1947 - Roy Rogers marries Dale Evans. Both would become Capitol Records solo artists as well as a Capitol Records duo.
1952 - Skeets McDonald's Capitol Records single "Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes", with "Big Family Trouble" on the flipside, is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Nelson Riddle's Capitol Records single "Lisbon Antiqua" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Pop singles chart
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Wings of a Dove" is still #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "I Feel Fine" (with "She's A Woman" on the flipside) and Capitol Records album "Beatles '65" are both certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
1966 - The Seekers' Capitol Records single "Georgy Girl" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1968 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Wichita Lineman" is still #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart
1969 - Jimi Hendrix and Band of Gypsies play for the first time in public at the first of two consecutive days of gigs at the Fillmore East in New York City, New York. The last two shows performed the next day on January 1, 1970 will be recorded for a live album that will be released by Capitol Records to honor a 1965 contract that Hendrix had signed with the label.
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Paul McCartney files a writ in London High Court against "The Beatles and Co.", seeking the legal dissolution of the partnership, which will finally take place December 30, 1974
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Tapestry (lineup unlisted) records the titles "It's Not The World That's Messed Up" and a as yet unissued take of "Greed" at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with arranger and producer Norman Harris. Capitol Records will issue "It's Not The World That's Messed Up" as a single (Capitol 4295) with the instrumental "Life Is What You Make It" (a purchased master, written and produced by John Davis) recorded sometime in 1975) on the flipside.
1981 - Dave Cavanaugh (aka "Big Dave" Cavanaugh), tenor saxophonist, bass player, and A&R producer for Capitol Records, dies in Tarzana, California at age 62
1984 - Duran Duran's Capitol Records single "The Wild Boys" is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
30 Years Ago Today In 1985 - Rick Nelson (radio, television, and motion picture actor, singer, songwriter, Imperial Records and Capitol Records artist), his fiancée Helen Blair, and five members of Nelson's Stone Canyon Band die after their plane crashes a mile southeast of DeKalb, Texas after a Fire in the passenger cabin forces the pilots of Nelson’s DC-3 to attempt an emergency landing in a field. The crew escaped through the cockpit windows, but none of the pasengers survived.
1994 - Capitol Records Nashville releases Garth Brooks' album "The Hits" which will go on to sell over 10 million copies and be certified Diamond by the R.I.A.A.
2001 - Charlie Louvin, former Capitol Records artist and member of The Grand Ole Opry, suffers broken ribs, a concussion, and a cracked breastbone in a car wreck
2015 - Natalie Cole, Grammy-winning singer, actress, daughter of Capitol Records artists Nat Cole and Maria Ellington Cole, and Capitol Records artist, dies at age 65 of congestive heart failure brought on by treatment for hepatitis C at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1929 - Future Capitol Records artist Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians' first annual New Year's Eve broadcast from the Roosevelt Grill in New York City is heard over the CBS Radio network
1931 - Gil Melle, saxophonist, synthesizer and drum machine player, painter, graphic artist (designed album covers for Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, and Sonny Rollins), film score writer ("The Andromeda Strain", one of the first electronic music film scores), who at age 19 became Blue Note Records first white artist, is born Gilbert John Melle in Riverside, California
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Ferrante & Teicher's United Artists Records single "Exodus" is #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. The United Artists catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company Universal Music Group.
1961 - Future Capitol Records band The Beach Boys (previously performing under the names The Pendletones, Kenny and The Cadets, and Carl and The Passions) play for the first time using that name when the appear at a Ritchie Valens' Memorial Concert in Long Beach, California and earn $300
2002 - Kevin Macmichael, guitarist and co-founder (with vocalist Nick Van Eede) of the Virgin Records America band Cutting Crew, dies of lung cancer at age 51. Their 1987 hit "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" is the label's first U.S. release and its first #1 single. Virgin Records America's catalog is now owned by Capitol's parent company, EMI Music.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
110 Years Ago Today In 1905 - Jule Styne, pop, motion picture and Broadway composer (who wrote, with lyricists that included Sammy Cahn and Frederick Loewe, the music for the songs "I've Heard That Song Before", "I'll Walk Alone", "It's Been a Long, Long Time","Let It Snow, Let It Snow", "The Things We Did Last Summer", "Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night in the Week", "[Kiss Me Once and Kiss Me Twice] It's Been A Long, Long Time", "Five Minutes More", "Three Coins in the Fountain" [an Academy Award Winning tune] and others, and the scores for the Broadway shows "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" [1949, lyrics by Leo Robin, which includes the songs "Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "The Party's Over"], "Bells Are Ringing" [1956, with lyrics by Comden and Green which was turned into the 1960 movie whose soundtrack was released by Capitol Records and included Capitol Records artist Dean Martin singing "Just in Time"] as well as "Funny Girl" [1964, with lyrics by Bob Merrill] whose original Broadway cast album was also released by Capitol Records] and others) is born Julius Kerwin Stein in London, England

DECEMBER 30, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1917 - Wesley Tuttle, singer, yodeler, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, motion picture actor and voice actor, radio and television host, Western Music Association Hall of Fame inductee, and Capitol Records artist (1944-1957), is born Wesley LeRoy Tuttle in Lamar, Colorado
1939 - Del Shannon, singer, songwriter (wrote "I Go To Pieces" for Capitol Records duo Peter & Gordon), and 1999 Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, is born Charles Westover in Coppersville, Michigan
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Davy Jones, singer, jockey, television and motion picture actor, with the band The Monkees and the Capitol Records group, Dolens, Jones, Boyce and Hart, is born David Jones in Manchester, England
1947 - Jeff Lynne, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the groups Electric Light Orchestra and The Traveling Wilburys, and record producer (The Beatles' last single "Free As A Bird") is born in Birmingham, England
1956 - Suzy Bogguss, singer and Capitol Records, Liberty Records, and Capitol Records Nashville artist (1986-1999), is born Susan Kay Bogguss in Aledo, Illinois.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Nat "King" Cole (on vocals), with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Pete Candoli, Harry Edison, Conrad Gozzo, Vito Mangano, and Shorty Sherock on trumpet, Francis "Joe" Howard and Paul Tanner on trombone, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Willie Smith, Mahlon Clark, Don Raffell, William "Buck" Skalak, and Bob Lawson on saxophones, Bill Miller on piano, Herman "Tiny" Mitchell on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Lee Young on drums), records the titles "Stay", "Believe", and, with additional vocals by The Four Knights (Cliff Holland and John Wallace on tenor vocals, Clarence Dixon on  baritone vocals, and Oscar Broadway on bass vocals), "That's All There Is To That" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California between 12:10 AM and 2:00 AM.
Capitol Records will issue "That's All There Is To That" as a single (Capitol F3456) with "My Dream Sonata" (recorded August 25, 1955) on the flipside and "Stay" and "Believe" on the CD "Night Lights" (5-31964-2).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Patty Andrews (on vocals), with Terry Gilkyson and a orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the title "I Will Never Marry" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 3344) with "Daybreak Blues" (recorded September 16, 1955) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Jane Froman (on vocals), with Glenn Osser conducting the orchestra and chorus (lineups unlisted), records the titles "One Little Candle", "Somebody Bigger Than You And I", "He", and "You'll Never Walk Alone" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Froman's album "Faith" (T 726).
55 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Janie Black (on vocals), with unlisted others, records as yet unissued takes of the titles "Sweet Old Fashioned Girl", "The Dance Is Over", and "Mamma Told Me" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1967 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Hello Goodbye", with "I Am The Walrus" on the flip side, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1968 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' album "I've Got You On My Mind Again"
45 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Jerry Corbitt records a as yet unissued take of the title "Trudy" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1972 - Paul McCartney's Apple Records single "Hi Hi Hi", with "C Moon" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1974 - The Beatles are legally dissolved as a group
40 Years Ago In 1975 - Connie Cato (on vocals), with unlisted others, records the title "Whoever Finds This, I Love You" and a as yet unissued take of the title "Crazy Love" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "Whoever Finds This, I Love You" on Cato's album "Whoever Finds This, I Love You" (ST-11606).
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Carmen Moreno records the titles "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?", "Serrana (High Mountain Woman)", "Cold, Cold Heart", and "Sabras Que Te Quiero" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 4216) and the last two titles together as a single (Capitol 4306).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Cherie Currie records a as yet unissued take of the title "Kamakazee Lover" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1996 - It is announced that Capitol Records artist Paul McCartney will be honoured with knighthood and henceforth be known as Sir Paul McCartney.
1999 - George Harrison is stabbed four times in the chest during an attempted robbery early in the morning at his home at Henley-Upon-Thames, near London. Harrison and his wife Olivia struggle with the intruder, subdue him until the authorities arrive, and are then transported to a nearby hospital.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1948 - Cole Porter's Broadway musical "Kiss Me, Kate" opens at The New Century Theatre in New York City. In 1949 Capitol will release an album of songs from the show recorded by Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae and in 1959 will release a new stereo recording of the soundtrack that features Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Lisa Kirk, and Harold Lang, all members of the original Broadway cast.
1957 - Ricky Nelson's Imperial Records single "Stood Up", with "Waitin' In School" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Pop singles chart
1981 - The J.Geils Band's EMI America Records album "Freeze-Frame" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. and will be certified Platinum on January 11, 1982. EMI America's catalog is currently distributed by Capitol Records and owned by EMI Music.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Organist Jimmy McGriff, with Thornel Schwartz on guitar and Willie Jenkins on drums, records the title "Where It's At" at The Club in Newark, New Jersey. Originally recorded for the Veep label, Blue Note Records will license and issue the title on the 2 LP compilation album "So Blue So Funky - Heroes Of The Hammond, Volume 2" (B1-29092).
1989 - Paula Abdul (with Wild Pair)'s Virgin Records America single "Opposites Attract" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1989 - Roxette's EMI America Records single "Dangerous", the last single released from their album "Look Sharp" and with live versions of "Surrender and "Neverending Love" also on the single, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will peak at #2

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1928 - Bo Diddley (aka Ellas McDaniel), guitarist, singer, songwriter, motion picture actor, and 1987 Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, is born Otha Ellas Bates in McComb, Mississippi
1942 - Mike Nesmith, singer, guitarist, songwriter, television and motion picture actor and producer, music video producer, winner of first Grammy for best video, and member of The Monkees, is born in Houston, Texas
1979 - Richard Rodgers, Broadway and motion picture score composer (first with lyricist Lorenz Hart and then with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II) and Broadway producer, dies in New York City at age 77.

DECEMBER 29, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1943 - Rick Danko, rhythm guitar player with the group The Hawks and electric bass player and singer with the Capitol Records group The Band, is born in Green's Corners, outside of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
1944 - Patti Drew, singer with the Capitol Records group (1964) The Drew-vels (which includes her sisters Lorraine and Erma and bass vocalist Carlton Black) and a Capitol Records solo artist (1967-1971), is born in Charleston, North Carolina. Her mother, a domestic worker for Capitol Records regional promoter Maury Lathower in Evanston, Illinois, invited him to hear her daughters sing at a church function and he got the group signed to Capitol.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", with "The Best Man" on the flipside, is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Records Most-Played On The Air chart and is the group's first #1 Pop hit.

1947 - The Dinning Sisters record the track "Buttons And Bows" for Capitol Records which will release it as a single with "San Antonio Rose" on the flip side. The single will enter Billboard's Pop singles charts on October 22, 1948 were it will stay for 16 weeks, eventually peaking at #7.

1952 - Fletcher Henderson, band leader, pianist, arranger, and member of the Capitol Records band Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, dies in New York City, New York at age 55
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - During two session that take place at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California between 10:30 PM and 2:00 AM the next day on December 30, 1955, Jean Shepard (on vocals), with J. R. "Jelly" Sanders on fiddle, Bill Woods on piano, Charles Lee "Fuzzy" Owen, Alvis "Buck" Owens, and Lewis Talley on guitars, Clarence Roy Lee on bass, and John Cuvielllo on drums, records the titles "It's Hard To Tell The Married From The Free", "Did I Turn Down A Better Deal?", "A Passing Love Affair", and "I Married You For Love" at the first session and the titles "I'll Thank You All My Life", "I Learned It All From You", "Hello, Old Broken Heart", and "Sad Singing' And Slow Ridin'" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles from the two sessions, except "I Learned It All From You", on Shepard's album "Songs Of A Love Affair" (T 728) and "I Learned It All From You" as a single (Capitol 3340) with "This Has Been Your Life" (recorded December 27, 1955) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Nat "King" Cole (on vocals), with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Pete Candoli, Harry Edison, Conrad Gozzo, Vito Mangano, and Shorty Sherock on trumpet, Francis "Joe" Howard and Paul Tanner on trombone, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Willie Smith, Mahlon Clark, Don Raffell, William "Buck" Skalak, and Bob Lawson on saxophones, Bill Miller on piano, Herman "Tiny" Mitchell on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Lee Young on drums), records the titles "Mr. Juke Box" with a mixed vocal group (5 unlisted male and female vocalists), "Dame Crazy", "I Just Found Out About Love", "I Got Love" with a mixed vocal group (5 unlisted male and female vocalists), and "My Personal Possession" with additional vocals by The Four Knights (Cliff Holland and John Wallace on tenor vocals, Clarence Dixon on baritone vocals, and Oscar Broadway on bass vocals) at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California between 7:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Dame Crazy" and "I Just Found Out About Love" on Cole's EP "Songs From 'Strip For Action'" (EAP-1-709), "My Personal Possession" as a single (Capitol F3737) with "Send For Me" (recorded May 14, 1957) on the flipside, and the first four titles on Cole's CD "Night Lights" (5-31964-2).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Nathan Milstein on violin, and Arthur Balsam on piano, record a as yet unissued take of Giuseppe Tartini's "Violin Sonata In G Minor, Devil's Trill" in New York City, New York for Capitol Records. Milstein, with pianist Leon Pommers, would record a new take of the title on January 29, 1959 in New York City, New York.
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Whittemore & Lowe (Arthur "Buck" Whittemore and Jack Lowe on piano duets), with The Gene Lowell Singers (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Love Music (From 'The Great Imposter')" and "Theme From 'Go Naked In The World'" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the two titles together as a single (Capitol 4522).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Ray Anthony (on trumpet) and His Entertainers (Bob Robinson on trombone, Bob Hardaway on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, a unknown pianist, Carson Smith on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums), record "Molly Brown Overture", "Molly Brown Finale", and a remake of the title "Dolce Far Niente" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ray Anthony's album "Swing · Dream · Dance To The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (T 1576).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Stan Freberg (on vocals), with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "The Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere" with additional vocals by Paul Frees, Jesse White, and June Foray, "The Boston Tea Party" with additional vocals by Paul Frees and Peter Leeds, and "The Thanksgiving Story" with additional vocals also by Paul Frees and Peter Leeds in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the last two titles on Freberg's album "Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America" (W 1573) and all the titles on the CD release of the album (7-92061-2).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Dakota Stanton (on vocals), with a small band (lineup unlisted), records the title "All In My Mind" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 4512) with "Hey Lawdy Mama" (recorded September 16, 1960) on the flipside.
1962 - The Green River Boys (a "one-off" group, one of whose members is future Capitol Records solo artist Glen Campbell)' Capitol Records single "Kentucky Means Paradise", with "Truck Drivin' Man" on the flip side, enters Billboard's Country singles chart where it will peak at #20
1963 - The "Good Guys" (at the time, Joe O'Brien (6-10 AM), Harry Harrison (10-1 PM), Jack Spector (1-4 PM), Dan Daniel (4-7 PM), B. Mitchel Reed (7-11 PM), Johnny Dark (overnights) Ed Baer (fill in and weekends), and Frank Stickle (fill in and weekends), on 5,000-watt radio station WMCA, become the first New York City disc jockeys to play The Beatles’ Capitol Records single "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
1964 - Buck Owens records the track "Gonna Have Love" for Capitol Records
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - During two sessions held today in Los Angeles, California, Tennessee Ernie Ford & The Jack Halloran Choir (on vocals, lineup unlisted), with Jack Fascinato conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles, "Hello, Dolly!", "L-O-V-E", and "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" at the first session and "Turn Around", "Dear Heart", and "King Of The Road" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ford's album "My Favorite Things" (T 2444).
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Great Danes (lineup unlisted) record as yet unissued takes of the titles "It Was Easier To Hurt Her", "Let Me Take You Away From This", "King Of Fools", and "Find Yourself Another Guy" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Charlie Wright, with Aurther Wright conducting his own arrangement to unlisted background vocalists and musicians, records the titles "Help Yourself", "Number One", and the as yet unissued titles "I Won't Be Your Fool Anymore" and "Two Individuals" with producers Wright, Jenkins, and Esked in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 5576).
1966 - The Beatles' record the track "Penny Lane" at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, England which will be released as a single by Capitol Records in the United States with "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the flipside
1967 - Paul Whiteman (aka "The King of Jazz"), who commissioned George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" and premiered the piece with Gershwin at the piano, bandleader (whose members included future Capitol Records artists Jack Teagarden and Red Nichols as well as vocalist and future Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer), radio and television show host, motion picture actor, and a Capitol Records artist (whose first single, "I Found A New Baby" [with "The General Jumped At Dawn" on the flip side] is the label's first release), dies in Doylestown, Pennsylvania at age 77
1969 - Capitol Records releases Grand Funk Railroad's album "Grand Funk" (aka "The Red Album")
1973 - Ringo Starr's Apple Records single "You're Sixteen", a cover of Johnny Burnette's Imperial Records track, with "Devil Woman" on the flipside and distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart at # 27 and will peak at #1 on January 26, 1974
1974 - Helen Reddy's Capitol Records single "Angie Baby" is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - The Lettermen (vocalists Donny Pike, Tony Butala, and Gary Pike), Vince Morton conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted) record overdubs for the titles "For The Good Times", "Loving Her Was Easier", "I Can't Help It", "The Last Thing On My Mind (If I'm Still In Love With You)", Today I Started Loving You Again", "Kiss An Angel Good Morning", "Leavin' With The First Light", "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Before The Next Teardrop Falls", "Storms Of Troubled Times", the disco version of "The Way You Look Tonight" and the still unissued take of "Medley: Gone For Good/Missouri Melodies" in Los Angeles, California. More overdubs will be recorded January 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13, 1976. Capitol Records will issue the final versions of the first ten songs on The Lettermen's album "Kind Of Country" (SW-11508) and the ninth and tenth titles together as a single (Capitol 4226).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Cherie Currie records the as yet unissued takes of "I Surrender" and "You're A Baby" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
25 Years Ago Today In 1990 - Wilson Phillips' SBK Records single "Impulsive", distributed by Capitol Records, is still #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Etta Jones, with Barney Bigard, record the tracks "Blow Top Blues", "Salty Papa Blues", "Evil Gal Blues" and "Long Long Journey" in Los Angeles, California for Black and White Records. Black and White's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records.
1958 - The Chipmunks with David Saville's Liberty Records single "The Chipmunk Song" is still #1 on Billboard's Pop singles chart and Ricky Nelson's Imperial Records single "Lonesome Town" is #3. Liberty and Imperial's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records parent company EMI Music.
1962 - Ricky Nelson's Imperial Records single "It's Up To You", with "I Need You" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and will peak at #6 on February 2, 1963
1963 - The Beach Boys' Candix Records single "Surfin'" (their first single) debuts at #33 on Los Angeles radio station KFWB's "Fabulous Forty Survey" for this week
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Trumpet player Blue Mitchell, with Junior Cook on tenor saxophone, Chick Corea on piano, Gene Taylor on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums, records rejected takes of "Bring It On Home To Me" and "Port Rico" in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey for Blue Note Records. New and approved takes of both songs will be recorded on January 6,1966.
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Ronnie Laws (on flute and soprano and tenor saxophones), with Donald Hepburn and Michael Hepburn on electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizer, Marion The Magician on guitar, Nathaniel Phillips on electric bass, Bruce Carter on drums and Bruce Smith on percussion, record the title "Captain Midnite" at Total Experience Studio in Los Angeles, California with engineer F. Byron Clark and producer Wayne Henderson. Blue Note Records will issue the title on Laws' album "Fever" (BN-LA628-G on vinyl and 7-89541-2 on CD).

DECEMBER 28, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1898 - Mischa Spoliansky, composer (scores for several British films, including the soundtrack for 1957's "Saint Joan" which was released by Capitol Records), is born in Bialystok, Russia
1921 - Johnny Otis, bandleader, singer, drummer, vibraphonist, record producer, radio disc jockey, and Capitol Records artist, is born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes in Vallejo, California
1932 - Dorsey Burnette, singer, songwriter, bassist, electrician, part of the Coral Records group The Rock And Roll Trio, part of the Imperial Records group The Burnette Brothers (with his brother Johnny Burnette), and solo artist for many labels including Imperial Records and Capitol Records (1972-1973), is born in Memphis, Tennessee

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", with "The Best Man" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Pop singles chart, and is the group's first #1 Pop hit.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Clark Dennis records four unlisted titles for the Capitol Records Transcription Service (probably at "The Chateau") in Los Angeles, California which will release the titles on transcription discs (#s unlisted). If anyone knows which titles were recorded, please leave a comment.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Jean Shepard (on vocals), with J.R. "Jelly" Sanders on fiddle, Bill Woods on piano, Charles Lee "Fuzzy" Owen, Alvis "Buck" Owens, and Lewis Talley on guitar, Clarence Roy Lee on bass, and John Cuvielllo on drums), records the titles "Thank You Just The Same", "Over And Over", "Tell Me What I Want To Hear", and "Shadows On The Wall" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California starting at 10:30 PM and 2:00 AM the next day on December 29, 1955. Capitol Records will issue "Thank You Just The Same" as a single (Capitol 3514) with "Just Give Me Love" (recorded on December 27, 1955) on the flipside and the rest of the titles on Shepard's album "Songs Of A Love Affair" (T 728).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Ray Anthony, Johnny Best, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Triscari, and Mannie Klein on trumpet, Dick Nash and Tommy Pederson on trombone,  George Roberts on bass trombone, Gus Bivona and Wilbur Schwartz on clarinet and alto saxophone, Georgie Auld and Gene Cipriano on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Paul Smith on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, and Irv Cottler on drums), with The Anthony Choir (unlisted vocalists) record an overdub for "Big Band Boogie", using a arrangement by Don Simpson, then the titles "Out Of Nowhere" (also arranged by Don Simpson), "I Only Have Eyes For You", "I'll Never Smile Again", and "This Love Of Mine" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final version of "Big Band Boogie" on the various artists album "Dance To The Bands" (TBO 727) and all the rest of the titles on Anthony's album "Ray Anthony Plays For Dream Dancing" (T 723).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Violinist Nathan Milstein records Johann Sebastian Bach's "Partita N°3 In E Major For Violin" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the title on Milstein's 3 LP set "BACH - Sonatas And Partitas For Violin" (PCR-8370).
1956 - Nat "King" Cole records the track "When I Fall In Love" for his Capitol Records album "Love Is The Thing"
1956 - Jean Shepard records the track "Other Woman" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. The track will be released by Capitol Records as a single with "Under Suspicion" on the flipside. I wonder if she or Nat listened to each other's sessions.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Ray Anthony (on trumpet and vocals) and His Entertainers (Bob Robinson on trombone, Bob Hardaway on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone and vocals, an unlisted piano player, Carson Smith on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums) record a as yet unissued take of "Dolce Far Niente", and the titles "I Ain't Down Yet", "Are You Sure?" with vocals by Ray Anthony and a chorus (lineup unlisted), "Keep A-Hoppin'" with vocals by Ray Anthony, Leo Anthony, The Bookends (vocalists Annita Ray and Diane Hall), and a chorus (lineup unlisted), and "Belly Up To The Bar Boys" with vocals by Ray Anthony, Leo Anthony, and Annita Ray in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the last four titles on Ray Anthony's album "Swing · Dream · Dance To The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (T 1576).
1964 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' single "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail" with "Cryin' Time" on the flipside
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Buck Owens and The Buckaroos' Capitol Records single "Buckaroo", with "If You Want A Love" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart
1968 - The Beatles' self-titled Apple Records album (aka "The White Album", and their first on the Apple label), distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, is #1 on Billboard's album chart where it will stay for nine weeks
1973 - Capitol Records artist Tex Ritter make his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry
1973 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "If We Make It Through December", with "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)" on the flip side, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart
1974 - Helen Reddy's Capitol Records single "Angie Baby", with "I'll Think I'll Write A Song" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1983 - Dennis Wilson, singer, songwriter, and drummer in the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys and Capitol Records solo artist, drowns at age 39 while diving to bring up personal items that he had thrown overboard near his boat, "Harmony", in the harbor at Marina del Ray, California

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1922 - Stan Lee (aka Stan "The Man" Lee), writer and founding editor, president, and currently Chairman Emeritus, of Marvel Comics and co-creator of many of its early best-sellers, is born Stanley Martin Lieber in New York City, New York

DECEMBER 27, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1901 - Marlene Dietrich, motion picture actress, singer, and Capitol Records artist (1961-1965), is born Maria Magdelene Dietrich in Berlin-Schöneberg, Germany. In his autobiography, Dave Dexter, Jr. remembers her calling him to get hundreds of promotional copies of her albums to give out while she was touring.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Terry Bozzio, drummer with Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention, and the Capitol Records group Missing Persons as well as one-time husband of Missing Persons' lead singer Dale Bozzio, is born

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Andy Russell's Capitol Records single "I Can't Begin To Tell You", with "Love Me" on the flipside, is released by Capitol Records and will peak at #7 on the U.S. Pop singles charts in 1946
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - June Christy (on vocals) and The Kentones (Ray Wetzel on trumpet,  Gene Roland on valve trombone, Boots Mussulli on alto saxophone, Fred Zito on piano, Dave Barbour on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Eddie Spanier on drums) record the titles "Mean To Me", "September In The Rain", "You Took Advantage of Me", "Stompin' At The Savoy", "(I Don't Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance With You", "The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else", and "Moonglow" at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California for The Capitol Records Transcription Service which will release the first, second, and sixth titles together on transcription disc B-23 and "Stompin' At The Savoy" on transcription disc B-22. Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the CD box set "The Complete Peggy Lee And June Christy Capitol Transcription Sessions" (MD5-184).
1946 - Merle Travis' Capitol Records single "Divorce Me C.O.D.", with "Missouri" on the flipside, is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Folk Records chart.

1947 - During two sessions held at Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm (Nellie Lutcher on piano and vocals, Hurley Ramey on guitar, Charles "Truck" Parham on bass, and Alvin Burroughs on drums) recorded the titles "Fine Brown Frame", "Humoresque (Opus #7)", "Imagine You Having Eyes For Me", and "Alexander's Ragtime Band" at the first session between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM and the titles "Without A Song", "Wish I Was In Walla Walla" and "Life Is Like That" at the second session between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue the first song as a single (Capitol 15032) with "Pig Latin Song" on the flipside, the second song as a single (Capitol 1728) with "The Song Is Ended" on the flipside, the third song as a single (Capitol 15112) with "I Thought About You" on the flipside, the fourth song as a single (Capitol 15180) with "My Little Boy" on the flipside, and the sixth song as a single (Capitol 15279) with "A Maid's Prayer" on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the tracks on Lutcher's box set "Nellie Lutcher And Her Rhythm" (BCD 15910).

1948 - Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae's Capitol Records single "My Darlin, My Darling", with "Girls Were Made To Take Care Of Boys" on the flipside, is #3 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely (on vocals), with probably Paul Sells and a unidentified orchestra, record the title "Easter Parade" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 1382) with "Let's Go To Church (Next Sunday Morning)" (recorded March 1, 1950) on the flipside.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Jimmy Wakely (on vocals), with Paul Sells and a unidentified orchestra, records the titles "The Easter Egg Parade" and "There's That Same Old Love Light In Your Eyes" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Easter Egg Parade" on the children's record album "Peter Cottontail/The Easter Egg Parade" (CAS-3090) with "Peter Cottontail" (recorded  February 23, 1950) on the flipside and "There's That Same Old Love Light In Your Eyes" as  a single (Capitol 2172) with "When I Say Goodnight" (recorded July 20, 1949) on the flipside.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Pinto Colvig and miscellaneous Capitol Children's records artists record "Part 1" and "Part 2" of a sample children's record that Capitol Records will issue as a promo. (No title listed).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Jean Shepard (on vocals), with J.R. "Jelly" Sanders on fiddle, Bill Woods on piano, Charles Lee "Fuzzy" Owen, Alvis "Buck" Owens, and Lewis Talley on guitar, Clarence Roy Lee on bass, and John Cuviello on drums, records the titles "You're Calling Me Sweetheart Again", "He Loved Me Once And He'll Love Me Again", "Girls In Disgrace", "This Has Been Your Life", and "Just Give Me Love" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 3401), "Girls In Disgrace" on Shepard's album "Songs Of A Love Affair" (T 728), "This Has Been Your Life" as a single (Capitol 3340) with "I Learned It All From You" (recorded December 29, 1955) on the flipside, and "Just Give Me Love" as a single (Capitol 3514) with "Thank You Just The Same" (recorded on December 28, 1955) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - The Notes (aka The Four Notes - lineup unlisted) record the titles "Cha Jezebel", "Don't Leave Me", and the as yet unissued titles "That's All There Is To That" and "Times Two, I Love You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will purchase the masters and release the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 3332).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Maria Cole (on vocals), with Dennis Farnon directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the as yet unissued titles "Crazy In The Heart" and "Somebody's Gotta Lose" and the titles "No School Tomorrow" and "Just The Boy" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the last two titles together as a single (Capitol 3351).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - In New York City, New York, Capitol Records registered the masters in the United States for the Edith Piaf's French Columbia label recordings of the titles "Suddenly There's A Valley", "Avant Nous", "Les Amants D'un Jour", and "Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots (L'Homme À La Moto). Capitol Records will issue "Suddenly There's A Valley" and "Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots (L'Homme À La Moto)" together as a single (Capitol 3368) and all the titles except "Les Amants D'un Jour" on the 2 disc LP set "The Definitive Edith Piaf" (TBL 2193).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - The Four Preps (Bruce Belland on tenor vocals, Marvin Inabnett on high tenor vocals, Glen Larson on baritone vocals, and Ed Cobb on bass vocals),  with Lincoln Mayorga directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the title "Calcutta" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 4508) with "Gone Are The Days" (recorded September 26, 1950) on the flipside.
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Alicia Adams (on  vocals), with Ernie Freeman conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the title "Oom-Dooby-Doom" and the as yet unissued titles "One Of Three" (even with overdubs recorded on January 4, 1961), "Johnny, Please Let Me Out", and "Mister Right" (even with overdubs recorded on January 3, 1961) with producer Karl Engemann in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded on January 3, 1961, Capitol Records will issue the final version of "Oom-Dooby-Doom" as a single (Capitol 4545) with a purchased master of "Love Bandit" (no session information listed but with Lincoln Mayorga conducting the orchestra [lineup unlisted], also with producer Karl Engemann, and overdubs recorded on January 4, 1961) on the flipside.
1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "I Feel Fine" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart and its flipside, "She's A Woman", is #2
1966 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' album "Open Up Your Heart"
1988 - Poison's Capitol Records single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", with "Back To The Rocking Horse" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and is, so far, the group's only #1 single

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1963 - Merle Haggard's Tally Records single "Sing A Sad Song", with "You Don't Even Try" on the flipside, enters Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will peak at #19. Haggard's Tally masters are currently owned and distributed by Capitol Records.
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - John Lennon's Geffen Records/Lenono Music single "(Just Like) Starting Over" is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart and Lennon's and Yoko Ono's Geffen Records/Lenono Music album "Double Fantasy" is #1 on Billboard's Pop album chart. Capitol Records currently distributes all of Lennon's catalog and has reissued "Double Fantasy" as a remastered CD on the Capitol label.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1879 - Sydney Greenstreet, motion picture and radio actor, is born Sydney Hughes Greenstreet in Sandwich, Kent, England,
1906 - Oscar Levant, pianist, singer, motion picture actor, and television quiz show panelist, is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1927 - The Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical "Show Boat" premieres at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
1932 - Radio City Music Hall opens in New York City. It is the largest indoor theatre in the world at the time, with a nearly 10,000-square-foot stage and seating more than 6,200 people. The gala grand opening show is a six-hour extravaganza that will lose half a million dollars within three weeks.
1947 - Buffalo Bob (Smith), Clarabelle the Clown (Bob Keeshan, the future Captain Kangaroo), Judy Canova, and a host of others join puppet Howdy Doody for the premiere of his self-titled television show on NBC-TV. The show will stay on the air for 13 years and be revived in the 1970s.
1981 - Hoagy Carmichael, songwriter (one-time partner with Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer) and motion picture actor, dies of a heart attack at age 82 in Rancho Mirage, California

DECEMBER 26, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1921 - Steve Allen, television variety show host, motion picture actor, songwriter, pianist, and Capitol Records artist (1958 on the LP "Ray Anthony Plays Steve Allen"), is born in New York City, New York
75 Years Ago Today In 1940 - Phil Spector, director of A&R for Liberty (1962) and Apple Records (1971), record producer (who has worked with Capitol Records artists The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Starsailor, and The Vines), is born Harvey Phillip Spector in the Bronx, New York

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Stan Kenton (on piano) and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ray Wetzel, John Anderson, Russ Burgher, and Bob Lymperis on trumpet, Freddie Zito, Ray Klein, Milt Kabak on trombone, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, Al Anthony and Boots Mussulli on alto saxophone, Vido Musso and Bob Cooper on tenor saxophone, Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone, Bob Ahern on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Ralph Collier on drums) record the titles "Shoo Fly Pie And Apple Pan Dowdy" (with vocals by June Christy and tenor sax solo by Vido Musso) and "I Been Down In Texas" (with vocals by June Christy, Gene Howard, Ray Wetzel, and Stan Kenton) at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 235).
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Peggy Lee (on vocals), with Dave Barbour and His Orchestra (which features Dave Barbour on guitar and includes unlisted clarinet, saxophone, and rhythm section players), records the titles "I Can See It Your Way" and "I Don't Know Enough About You" at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 236).
65 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Peggy Lee (on vocals), with Dave Barbour and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "The Mill On The Floss", "Climb Up The Mountain", and "Pick Up Your Marbles And Go Home" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Mill On The Floss" and "Climb Up The Mountain" together as a single (Capitol 1366). "Pick Up Your Marbles And Go Home" was released on the CD "Peggy Lee: The Lost 40s & 50s Capitol Masters" by Collectors' Choice Music (WWCCM09172) in March 2008.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Dean Martin's Capitol Records single "Memories Are Made Of This", with "Change Of Heart" on the flipside, is #2 on Billboard's Pop singles chart and Tennessee Ernie Ford's Capitol Records single "Sixteen Tons", with " You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Country singles chart
1963 - Capitol Records rush releases it's first single by The Beatles, "I Want To Hold Your Hand", with "I Saw Her Standing There" on the flipside. The single will be #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 5 weeks on February 1, 1964
1963 - Buck Owen's Capitol Records single "Love’s Gonna Live Here", with "Getting Used To Losing You" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Country singles chart
1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "I Feel Fine", with "She's A Woman" on the flip side, is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1966 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owen's single "Where Does The Good Times Go" with "The Way That I Love You" on the flip side
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - George Harrison's Apple Records "My Sweet Lord", with "Isn't It A Pity" on the flipside and distributed in the United States by Capitol Records, is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1974 - Helen Reddy's Capitol Records single "Angie Baby" with "I Think I'll Write A Song" on the flip side, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. It is Reddy's third and last # 1 song to date.
1981 - The Little River Band's Capitol Records single "Take It Easy On Me", with "Orbit Zero" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles and Cashbox's Top 100 Singles charts

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Baby Dodds' Jazz Four (Albert Nicholas on clarinet, Art Hodes on piano, Wellman Braud on bass, and Baby Dodds on drums) record the titles "Fealin' At Ease", "Careless Love", two takes of "High Society", "Winin' Boy Blues" and two more takes of Careless Love" at radio station WOR's studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue "Feelin' At Ease" and the second take of "High Society" together as a single (BN 519) and the first take of "Careless Love" and "Winin' Boy Blues" together as a single (BN 518). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles and takes in the box set "The Complete Art Hodes Blue Note Sessions" (MR5-114 on vinyl and MD4-114 on CD).
1967 - BBC-TV in the U.K. airs The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" for the first time
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Ronnie Laws (on flute and soprano and tenor saxophone) with Donald Hepburn and Michael Hepburn on electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizer, Marion The Magician on guitar, Nathaniel Phillips on electric bass, Bruce Carter on drums, and Bruce Smith on percussion, record the title "From Ronnie With Love" in the Total Experience Studio in Los Angeles, California. Blue Note Records will release the title on Laws' album "Fever" (BN-LA628-G on vinyl and 7-89541-2 on CD).

1987 - The Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield's EMI America Records single "What Have I Done To Deserve This?", with "A New Life" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. EMI America's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company EMI Music.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1931 - George Gershwin’s musical "Of Thee I Sing" opens at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. The show will become the first American musical to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

DECEMBER 25, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
100 Years Ago Today In 1915 - Pete Rugolo, bandleader, songwriter, arranger (for Capitol Records artists Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra, June Christy, Nat "King" Cole, Harry Belafonte, and many others), music director of Capitol Records from 1949-1957, and motion picture and television score composer, is born in San Piero, Sicily
1918 - Eddie Safranski, bandleader and bass player with Capitol Records group Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1948 - Barbara Mandrell, singer and Capitol Records artist (1986), is born Barbara Ann Mandrell in Houston, Texas
1954 - Steve Wariner, singer, songwriter, guitarist, member of The Grand Ole Opry, and Capitol Records Nashville artist (1998), is born in Noblesville, Indiana

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "The Christmas Song", with "In The Cool Of The Evening" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Pop singles charts and Merle Travis' Capitol Records single "Divorce Me C.O.D.", with "Missouri" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Day Tripper" enters the top 40 of Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart at #28 and will peak at #5 on January 22, 1966. It's flipside, "We Can Work It Out" is #11 and will peak at #1 on January 8, 1966.
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - George Harrison's Apple Records single "My Sweet Lord", with "Isn't It A Pity" on the flipside and distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1982 - Capitol Records releases Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band's album "The Distance" on cassette
1986 - Duran Duran's Capitol Records single "Notorious", with "Winter Marches On" on the flip side, is #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
20 Years Ago Today In 1995 - Dean Martin, singer, motion picture actor, televsion variety show host, Capitol Records solo artist and part of the group The Rat Pack, dies at 3:00 AM of acute respiratory failure at age 78 in Beverly Hills, California.
2009 - Vic Chesnutt, singer, songwriter, guitarist and Hot Texas, Capitol (1996), Polygram, Backburner, spinART, and New West Records artist, dies from an overdose of muscle relaxants that had left him in a coma in an Athens, Georgia hospital.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Henry Vestine (aka "The Sunflower"), guitarist with The Beans, The Mothers Of Invention and the Liberty Records group Canned Heat (1965-early 1969, 1971), is born in Tacoma Park, Maryland. Liberty's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company Universal Music Group.
1978 - Kenny Rogers' United Artists Records single "The Gambler", with "Momma's Waiting" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart. United Artists' catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company EMI Music.
1994 - Anita Baker, with Ian Frasier conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) using an arrangement by Billy Byers, records "The Christmas Song" at former President Bill Clinton's Christmas Concert in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will lease the track from from Special Olympics International, Inc. and issue it on the compilation CD album "Jazz To The World" (8-32127-2).

DECEMBER 24, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1916 - Sid Feller, trumpet player, pianist, arranger, songwriter, record producer, conductor, head in-house arranger for Capitol Records (1951-1955 with artists Peggy Lee, Jackie Gleason, Nancy Wilson, Dean Martin, Matt Monro, Jane Froman, and others), ABC Records (1955-1965 most notably with Ray Charles, whose band he would conduct on the road even after leaving ABC), music director for "The Flip Wilson Show" and other TV series, is born Sidney Harold Feller in New York City, New York
1929 - Stoney Edwards, singer, songwriter ("Two Dollar Toy", "The Cute Little Waitress", "Blackbird (Hold Your Head High)", and more), guitarist, and Capitol Records artist (1971-1976), is born Frenchey Edwards in Seminole, Oklahoma. According to an article on Hillbilly-Music.com, Edwards was once refused entrance to a party in the early '70s at the Capitol Records offices in Los Angeles because of his race (African-American, American Indian, and Irish) which may have had some influence on his writing the song "Blackbird" (not to be confused with The Beatles' song of the same name).
1944 - Mike Curb, musician, Lieutenant Governor of California, race car owner, president MGM Records, founder of the singing group The Mike Curb Congregation, record producer (most notably the Academy Award winner "You Light Up My Life") and founder of Curb Records, some of whose releases are distributed by Capitol Records and which also releases compilation albums using tracks from Capitol Records and EMI Music's catalog, is born in Savannah, Georgia60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Becky J. Jackson, poet and longtime employee at Capitol Record's Jacksonville, Illinois plant, is born in Jacksonville, Illinois.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1953 - Dean Martin, with Dick Stabile conducting the studio orchestra, re-records the track "I'd Cry Like A Baby" with new arrangement by Gus Levine after not getting a successful take on August 13, 1953 using an arrangement by Nelson Riddle. The Capitol Records single, with "Hey Brother, Pour The Wine" on the flipside, will peak at #21 after it is released in March 1954.
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Roger Wagner Chorale (lineup unlisted but including lead vocals by Marilyn Horne, Marie Gibson, and Charles Bressler) and The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (lineup unlisted), with Alfred Wallenstein conducting, record the final parts of Ottorino Respighi's "Laud To The Nativity" at the first session and parts of Claudio Monteverdi's "Magnificat" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the groups' album "RESPIGHI - Laud To The Nativity/MONTEVERDI - Magnificat" (P-8572).
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records album "Rubber Soul" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. just two and a half weeks after its release
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Jim Alley (on vocals) records the titles "Fifty A Week", the still unissued title "I'm The One Who Gave The Bride Away", "That's A Lie", and the still unissued title "Who, It's You" possibly in Los Angeles, California. Tower Records will issue "Fifty A Week" and "That's A Lie" together as a single (Tower 227). 1967 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Hello Goodbye", with "I Am The Walrus" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1979 - Capitol Records releases Weird Al Yankovic's single "My Bologna" with "School Cafeteria" on the flipside.
1988 - Poison's Capitol Records single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1893 - Harry Warren, composer ("I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five-And-Ten Cent Store", "Shuffle Off To Buffalo", "Forty-Second Street", "Lullaby of Broadway" [his first Academy Award winner], "She's A Latin From Manhattan", "Jeepers Creepers" [with lyrics by Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer], "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo", "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe" [with lyrics also by Mercer], "Serenade in Blue", "I Had the Craziest Dream", "Highland Fling" [lyrics by Ira Gershwin], Dean Martin's Capitol Records hit "That's Amore", and many more), is born Salvatore Guaragna in Brooklyn, New York
1922 - Ava Gardner, actress and one time wife of Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra (as well as Mickey Rooney and Artie Shaw), is born Ava Lavinia Garnder in Brogden, Johnston County, North Carolina.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Edith Piaf performs "Autumn Leaves" live in French and in English (using lyrics by Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer) on the radio show "The Big Show".
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Gary Valentine, author, and founding member and bass player in the Chrysalis Records group Blondie, is born Gary Joseph Lachman in Bayonne, New Jersey. At one time Chrysalis' catalog was owned by Capitol Records' previous owner, EMI Music Group. It is now owned by Warner Music Group.
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Former Capitol Records artist Betty Hutton gets married (her fourth) to Capitol Records artist and session musician, trumpeter Peter Candoli.

50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Don Cherry, on cornet, with Leandro "Gato" Barbieri on tenor saxophone, Henry Grimes on bass, and Edward Blackwell on drums, records the titles "Complete Communion: Complete Communion/And Now/Golden Heart/Remembrance" and "Elephantasy: Elephantasy/Our Feelings/Bishmalla/Wind, Sand And Stars" in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue take 2 of "Complete Communion" and take 3 of "Elephantasy" on Cherry's album "Complete Communion" in 1966 on vinyl (BLP4226) and in 2000 on CD (BN 5-22673-2). Blue Note's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group and Blue Note Records is currently a division of Capitol Records, Incorporated.
1984 - Peter Lawford (born born Peter Sidney Lawford), motion picture actor, one time husband of Patricia Kennedy and brother-in-law of John and Robert Kennedy, and member of The Rat Pack (which included Capitol Records artists Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.), dies of cardiac arrest complicated by kidney and liver failure at age 61.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1886 - Michael Curtiz, circus performer, actor, and motion picture director ("The Adventures of Robin Hood", "Casablanca", "White Christmas", and many others), is born Manó Kertész Kaminer in Budapest, Hungary
1906 - Reginald A. Fessenden, Canadian-born radio inventor (and discoverer of the superheterodyne principle which is the basis for all modern radio receivers), becomes the first person to broadcast a music program over radio when he speaks a little verse then, on violin with a female singer, plays "O Holy Night", and concludes with a speech, live via a transmitter in Brant Rock, Massachusetts
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - The Lennon Sisters (vocalist Dianne Barbara [a.k.a. DeeDee], Peggy [Margaret Anne], Kathy [Kathleen Mary], and Janet [Janet Elizabeth]) make their professional television debut on the ABC-TV show "The Lawrence Welk Show" where they'll appear for the next thirteen years.
1997 - Tishiro Mufuni, actor, dies at 77

DECEMBER 23, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1929 - Chet Baker, trumpet and fluglehorn player, singer, and Pacific Jazz and Capitol Records artist as a solo artist and as a member of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and Quintet and with the Miles Davis Nonet, is born Chesney Henry Baker in Yale, Oklahoma
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Dave Murray, songwriter and guitarist with the EMI/Harvest/Capitol Records band Iron Maiden, is born David Michael Murray in Edmonton, London, England

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Tex Ritter's Capitol Records single "I’m Wastin’ My Tears On You", with "There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - During a split session in Los Angeles, California. first Vicki Young (on vocals), with Joe "Fingers" Carr (on piano) and The Joy-Riders (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Spanish Man" and "Tell Me In Your Own Sweet Way" then Joe "Fingers" Carr (on piano) and The Joy-Riders record the still unissued title "La Madelon". Capitol Records will issue "Spanish Man" and "Tell Me In Your Own Sweet Way" together as a single (Capitol 3358).
60 Yeas Ago Today In 1955 - Dick Haymes (on vocals), with Ian Bernard and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "You'll Never Know", "Love Walked In", and "Little White Lies" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Haymes' album "Rain Or Shine" (T 713).
1952 - Skeets McDonald's Capitol Records single "Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes", with "Big Family Trouble" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1959 - Buck Owens (on vocals and guitar), with unlisted others, records the titles "Above And Beyond", "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache)", "Take Me Back Again", and "Til These Dreams Come True" in Los Angles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Under Your Spell Again" (T 1489).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Wings of a Dove", with "Next To Jimmy" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Nat "King" Cole (on vocals), with Ralph Carmichael conducting the orchestra (Wilbur Schwartz, Justin Gordon, and Arthur Smith on reeds, Bobby Hammack on piano, John Collins on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, Lee Young on drums, a string section with Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harry Bluestone, Emil Briano, James Getzoff, Henry Hill, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Rickey Marino, Bill Miller, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Isadore Roman, Ralph Schaefer, Paul Shure, Albert Steinberg, and Gerald Vinci on violn, Alvin Dinkin, Stanley Harris, Allan Harshman, Ray Menhennick, Gary Nuttycombe, and Milt Thomas on viola, Mike Rubin on arco bass, Justin DiTullio, Armand Kaproff, Emmett Sargeant, Joseph Saxon, Eleanor Aller Slatkin, and William Vandenburg on cello, and Kathryn Thompson on harp), records the titles "The Touch Of Your Lips", "You're Mine, You!", "Illusion", "Funny (Not Much)", "Not So Long Ago", "Only Forever", and "Lights Out" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California between 6:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Cole's album "The Touch Of Your Lips" (W 1574).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Roger Wagner Chorale (lineup unlisted but including lead vocals by Marilyn Horne, Marie Gibson, and Charles Bressler) and The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (lineup unlisted), with Alfred Wallenstein conducting, record parts of Ottorino Respighi's "Laud To The Nativity" at the first session and parts of Claudio Monteverdi's "Magnificat" at the second session. After the rest of the pieces are recorded on December 24, 1960, Capitol Records will issue both titles on the groups' album "RESPIGHI - Laud To The Nativity/MONTEVERDI - Magnificat" (P-8572).
1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "I Feel Fine", with "She's A Woman" on the flipside, hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. This is the 30th song by the group to hit Billboard's Hot 100 in 1964, the most songs in one year by any group.
1964 - Brian Wilson, singer, songwriter, producer and member of the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys, suffers a nervous breakdown on flight from Los Angeles to Houston and decides to retire from live performances.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Tower Records registers in the United States the masters of vocalist Vince Hill's titles "Take Me To Your Heart Again" (listed as "La Vie En Rose" in master file and with Johnny Arthey conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians) and "Push Push" (with Johnny Scott conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians and background singers) which were recorded in England. Tower Records, a subsidiary of Tower Records, will release both titles together as a single (Tower 207).
1968 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Wichita Lineman", with Campbell's self-penned "Fate Of Man" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles charts.
1969 - Merle Haggard (on vocals and guitar) and The Strangers (lineup unlisted) records the title "The Fightin' Side of Me" in Los Angles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 2719) with "Every Fool Has A Rainbow" (recorded on December 8, 1968) on the flipside.
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Glen Campbell (on vocals), with Al De Lory directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the still unissued title "Evie" and the titles "Here And Now" and "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded on January 21, January 28 and February 2, 1971, Capitol Records will issue the final versions of "Here And Now" and "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream" together as a single (Capitol 3062).

At a Friars' Club Roast for Glenn Wallichs - date unknown.
Rear: Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Gordon MacRae, and Nat Cole
Front: Glenn Wallichs, Dean Martin, and Stan Freberg

1971 - Capitol Records co-founder Glenn Everett Wallichs dies at age 61 in Los Angeles, California from a rare form of bone cancer. He is later buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), in the Eternal Love section, Map E24, Lot 5590, Interment Space 1.
1972 - John Lennon's film "Imagine" premieres on national TV
1972 - Hurricane Smith (aka Norman Smith, EMI recording engineer at Abbey Road who worked with The Beatles and producer of Pink Floyd's second single "See Emily Play")'s Capitol Records single "Oh Babe, What Would You Say?" with "Getting To Know You (Is Like A New Dance)" on the flipside, debuts in the top 40 of both Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and Cashbox's Top 100 Singles chart. On a personal note, this is my favorite song. When if first came out I was 12 and it sounded so different from anything else on the radio at that time. Also, it was a song my whole family liked and would sing along to while driving around Buffalo that winter (having a song that the kids' singing wouldn't sound worse than Smith's vocals was a real plus for my parents). With it's lush string arrangement, smoking sax solo, and romantic (but down to earth and easy to understand) lyrics, this was also the song that started my interest in "earlier" music. Many thanks Norman!
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Glen Campbell (on vocals), with unlisted others, records the titles "Don't Pull Your Love/Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" and "Lay Me Down (Roll Me Out To Sea)" in Los Angeles, California with producers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. After overdubs are recorded for both titles on December 30, 1975, for "Lay Me Down (Roll Me Out To Sea)" on January 5, 1976, both titles on January 26 and February 5, 1976, and for "Don't Pull Your Love/Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" on February 6, 1976, Capitol Records will issue both titles on Campbell's album "Bloodline" (SW-11516).
40 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Roy Drusky recorded the final overdubs for his track "When My Room Gets Dark Again" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the final version of the title on Drusky's album "This Life Of Mine" (ST-11399).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Sheree Brown (on vocals), with unknown accompaniment, records a still unissued take of the title "I'd Rather Be In Love With You" and the title "I Wanna Be By Your Side" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I Wanna Be On Your Side" as a single (Capitol 5079) with "Get Down, I'm So Bad" (recorded December 18, 1980) on the flipside and on Brown's album "Straight Ahead" (ST-12153)
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - During two sessions held today in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records, Cherie Currie records a still unissued take of "Always The Last To Know" at the first session and a still unissued take of "Tough Break" at the second session.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1938 - The "Spirituals To Swing" concert is presented at Carnegie Hall in New York City by music impresario John Hammond. Pianists Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, and Pete Johnson, vocalist Joe Turner, clarintetist Sidney Bechet, the Count Basie Orchestra, blues singer Big Bill Broonzy, and gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe all appear on stage. The show is credited with starting the "Boogie Woogie" craze. Also, twenty nine year old Alfred Lion is in the audience and is so enthused by Lewis and Ammon's piano playing that he arranges a recording session, funded with start-up capitol by writer Max Margulis, exactly two weeks later on January 6, 1939 at 2:00 PM (listed as probably being at WMGM Studios) in New York City where he records 4 solos by each and 2 duets with both men playing on the same piano. Thus is Blue Notes Records born. Blue Note's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol's parent company, and Blue Note Records is currently a division of Capitol Records, Incorporated. If anyone knows for sure which studio was used, please leave a comment.

DECEMBER 22, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
100 Years Ago Today In 1915 - Felix Slatkin, violinist, conductor, concertmaster at 20th Century Fox Studios, session musician and concert master for many of Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records recordings, member and musical director of the Capitol Records group The Hollywood String Quartet (with his wife, cellist Eleanor Aller Slatkin, violinist Joachim Chassman [later replaced by Paul C. Shure], and violist Paul Robyn) which produced 21 albums for Capitol and with whom Sinatra also recorded, as well as The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, founder of The Concert Arts Orchestra, solo artist for Liberty Records (the "Fantastic" series), father of conductor and music director Leonard Slatkin and cellist Frederick Zlotkin (the original Russian spelling of Slatkin), is born in Saint Louis, Missouri

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Eddie Miller and His Orchestra (including Miller on tenor saxophone, Matty Matlock on clarinet) record the track "Everything I Have Is Yours" (arranged by Matlock with a vocal by Martha Tilton), which will go unreleased until it is included on the 1997 Mosaic Records box set "Classic Capitol Jazz Sessions", and "Who, Me?" (written and arranged by Matlock), that will be released on a promotional single (7-1223) by Capitol Records on the flip side of "The Hour Of Parting", in Los Angeles, California
1947 - Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ray Wetzel, Al Porcino, Chico Alvarez, and Ken Hanna on trumpet; Milt Bernhart, Eddie Bert, Harry Betts, and Harry Forbes on trombone; Bart Varsalona on bass trombone; George Weidler and Art Pepper on alto saxophone; Bob Cooper, and Warner Weidler on tenor saxophone; Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone; Kenton on piano; Laurindo Almeida on guitar; Eddie Safranski on bass; Shelly Manne on drums; Jack Costanzo on bongos; and June Christy on vocals) record the tracks "Harlem Holiday (A Message To Harlem)" (solos by Costanzo, Alvarez, Cooper, Bert, Pepper, Porcino, Kenton, Safranski and Manne), "This Is My Theme" (vocals by Christy), "Bongo Riff" (solo by Costanzo), "Somnambulism" (solos by Safranski, G. Weidler, Bernhart, and Cooper), and "Interlude" (trombones and rhythm only, solo by Kenton) for Capitol Records at RKO-Pathe Studios in New York City, New York
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - The Lou Busch Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "The Breeze Kissed Your Hair", and, with vocalist William Reeve, the titles "Following The Sun Around", "Hallelujah", and "Who" in Los Angeles, California (probably at "The Chateau") for The Capitol Records Transcription Service which will issue the first three titles on the transcription disc C-100 and the last title on the transcription disc C-99.
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Dick Haymes (on vocals), with Ian Bernard and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Where Or When", and "Come Rain Or Come Shine" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Haymes album "Rain Or Shine" (T 713).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Sonny James (on vocals and guitar) with Bill Simmons on piano, Neal Jones on rhythm guitar, Paul Buskirk on electric mandolin, Harland Powell on steel guitar, possibly Paul Brawley on bass, and William Pecchi on drums, records the titles "My Stolen Love", "My God And I" with additional vocals by Neal Jones and Harland Powell, "May God Be With You", and "For Rent (One Empty Heart)" at Jim Beck Studio in Dallas, Texas. Capitol Records will issue "My Stolen Love" and "For Rent (One Empty Heart)" together as a single (Capitol 3357) and "My God And I" and "May God Be With You" on James' album "Southern Gentleman" (T 779).
1958 - Frank Sinatra, with conductor Billy May, records the tracks "Day In - Day Out", "Baubles, Bangles And Beads", "Dancing In The Dark", "Saturday Night" and "Cheek To Cheek" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. May arranged all the tracks except "Saturday Night" which was arranged by Heine Beau. All the tracks will be included on Sinatra's Capitol Records album "Come Dance With Me".
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Nat "King" Cole (on vocals), with Ralph Carmichael conducting the orchestra (Harry Klee, Ted Nash, and Arthur Smith on reeds, Bobby Hammack on piano, John Collins on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, Lee Young on drums, a string section with Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harry Bluestone, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, James Getzoff, Henry Hill, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Rickey Marino, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Ralph Schaefer, Paul Shure, Albert Steinberg, and Gerald Vinci on violins, Alvin Dinkin, Allan Harshman, Lou Kievman, Ray Menhennick, Milt Thomas on viola, Bob Stone on arco bass, Justin DiTullio, Victor Gottlieb, Armand Kaproff, Kurt Reher, and Eleanor Aller Slatkin on cello, and Kathryn Thompson on harp), records the titles "I Remember You", "Sunday, Monday, Or Always", "A Nightingale In Berkeley Square", "My Need For You", a rejected take of "The Touch Of Your Lips", and "Poinciana" at the Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California between 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles except the rejected take of "The Touch Of Your Lips" on Cole's album "The Touch Of Your Lips" (W 1574).
55 Years Ago Today In 1960 - Ray Anthony (on trumpet) and His Orchestra (Woody Fansler, Chuck Mederios, Tom Pattin, and Marty White also on trumpet, Keith Butterfield, Tom Oblak, Bob Quatsoe, and Dick Reynolds on trombone, Earl Bergman on alto saxphone, Steve Cole on clarinet and alto saxophone, Cliff Hoff and Bill Slapin on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on alto and baritone saxphone, Ray Browne on piano, Allan Reuss on guitar, Frank Szosteck on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums) using arrangements by Ray Anthony record the titles "Be My Love" with vocals by Ronnie Deauville, "More Than I Care To Remember" with vocals by Ronnie Deauville and The Skyliners (vocal group, lineup unlisted), and a unissued take of "True Blue Lou" with vocals by Tommy Mercer, then using arrangements by George Williams record the titles "Columbia, The Gem Of The Ocean" and "Mr. Anthony's Blues" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Be My Love" as a single (Capitol 1352) with "Sally (I Wonder What's Become Of Sally)" (recorded November 10, 1950) on the flipside, "More Than I Care To Remember" and "Columbia, Gem Of The Ocean" together as a single (Capitol 1367), and "Mr. Anthony's Blues" as a single (Capitol 1502) with "Cook's Tour" (recorded October 26, 1950) on the flipside.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Beach Boys (vocalists Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine) record the final vocal overdubs for the title "Sloop John B" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5602) with "You're So Good To Me" (recorded May 24, 1965) on the flipside.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Ian Whitcomb (on vocals with unlisted others) records the titles "Heroes Of The Rocker Park", "My Live Has No Reason", "Hound Dog", "Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On A Saturday Night", "The Naked Ape" and "When I'm Cleaning Windows" in Los Angeles, California. Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records will issue "Heroes Of The Rocker Park", "Hound Dog", and "The Naked Ape" on Whitcomb's album "Sock Me Some Rock" (ST 5100), "Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On A Saturday Night?" on the album "Mod, Mod Music Hall" (ST 5042), and Capitol Records will issue "My Life Has No Reason" in France on the EP "Good Hard Rock" (EAP-1-22008). There is no issuing information given for "When I'm Cleaning Windows", so if anyone knows of any, please leave a comment.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, purchases the masters for John Stewart and Scott Engel's (aka original members of The Walker Brothes, with Stewart on guitar and vocals and Engel on keyboards, guitar, and vocals) titles "I Only Came To Dance With You", "Greens", "Without Your Love", and "Ham Hocks". In the United States, Tower Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Tower 218) and all the titles on the duo's album "I Only Came To Dance With You" (T 5026).
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - During two session on this date in Los Angles, California, first, Davie Allan & The Arrows (lineup unlisted) record the title "Michelle" then The Arrows record the titles "Slinky Tower", "Thunderball", "Sulkin'", "Monya", and a untitled and so far unissued instrumental. Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, will issue the first five titles on the group's self-titled album "The Arrows" (ST 5020) and "Michelle" and "Slinky" on The Arrows' album "The Arrows" (ST 5020) and "Thunderball" on Davie Allan And The Arrows' album "Blues Theme" (ST 5078).
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Jerry Naylor (on vocals with unknown others) records the as yet unissued titles "Walk A Little Taller" and "For Her" for Tower Records, a subsidary of Capitol Records, in Los Angeles, California.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Ritchie Dean records the titles "The Old Catherdral" (one take in English and a as yet unissued take in German), "It's Rainin', It's Pourin'", and a as yet unissued take of "Goodbye Girl" in German in Los Angeles, California. Tower Records will issue "The Old Catherdral" and "It's Rainin', It's Pourin'" together as a single (Tower 228).
1966 - By changing the speeds on two takes, producer George Martin is able to edit them together creating the finished version of The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever"
1974 - Helen Reddy's Capitol Records single "Angie Baby", with "I Think I'll Write A Song" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Johnny & Jonie Mosby (on vocals with unlisted others), record the titles "Rocky Top", "Don't Let Me Cross Over", and "Fallin' For You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the duo's album "Oh, Love Of Mine" (ST-737).
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Joe South (on vocals with unknown others) records the titles "Drown In My Own Tears" and "Rolling On" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on South's album "So The Seeds Are Growing" (ST-637).
45 Years Ago Today In 1970 - C. P. & W. (Cashman, Pistilli & West aka Dennis Cashman on vocals, Gene Pistilli, and Tommy West on guitar) record the final overdubs for the titles "Knock On My Door", "Across The Universe", and "Child Of Mine" in Los Angeles, California. "Knock On My Door" is still unissued, Capitol Records will issue "Across The Universe" and "Child Of Mine" together as a single (Capitol 3078).
1976 - Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band's Capitol Records album "Live Bullet" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Pages (Richard Page on lead and background vocals, Steve George Page on backing vocals, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer: Yamaha CS-80 - Oberheim - ARP 2600, Mini-Moog, clavinet, electric power oboe and grand piano) with Charles Johnson on guitar, Neil Stubenhaus on bass, Ralph Humphrey on drums, Steve Khan on electric guitar, Jeff Porcaro on drums, Paulinho DaCosta on percussion, Vince Colaiuta on drums, Tom Scott on saxphone, Jay Graydon on guitars and synthesizer programming, Mike Baird on drums, and Al Jarreau on vocal flute, records the titles "You Need A Hero" and "Come On Home" with producer Bobby Colomby in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's second self titled album, "Pages" (ST-12123).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Sheree Brown (on vocals), with unknown accompaniment, records the title "You'll Be Dancing All Night" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Brown's album "Straight Ahead" (ST-12153).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Future Flight records the title "Dues" with producer Lamont Dossier in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's self titled album "Future Flight" (ST-12154).
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - Cherie Currie (on vocals), with unlisted others, records still unissued takes of the titles "Prisoner" and "Cherry Bomb" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
2001 - Johnny Wakley, singer, songwriter, and son of Capitol Records artist Jimmy Wakely, dies from liver disease at age 57

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
115 Years Ago Today In 1900 - The "His Master's Voice" picture is registered as a trademark of The Gramophone & Typewriter Ltd. (later to become Capitol's parent company EMI) in Britain. Francis Barraud's painting "His Master's Voice" was purchased by The Gramophone Company Ltd. on September 15, 1899 and was first used the following year on the company's Record Supplement for January 1900. The company later hired Barraud to paint copies which hang in EMI's corporate offices around the world, including (at least as of 2001) one on the "E" (13th) floor of The Capitol Tower in Hollywood, California.
1958 - The Chipmunks with David Seville's Liberty Records single "The Chipmunk Song", with The Chipmunks' "Alvin's Harmonica" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Pop singles chart. Liberty's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company EMI Music.

DECEMBER 21, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1926 - Freddie Hart, singer, guitarist, songwriter and Capitol Records artist (1953-1956 and 1970) is born Frederick Segrest in Lockapoke, Alabama
1926 - Edward W. Ray, executive assistant to the president at Imperial Records (1955-1964) and vice president for artist and repertoire at Capitol Records (1964-1969), is born in Franklin, North Carolina
75 Years Ago Today In 1940 - Frank Zappa, singer, songwriter, guitarist, band leader, and conductor, is born in Baltimore, Maryland.
1946 - Carl Wilson, guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer, youngest of the three Wilson brothers, husband to Capitol Records artist Dean Martin's daughter Gina, solo artist, and with the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys, is born in Hawthorne, California

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Andy Russell's Capitol Records single "I Dream Of You (More Than You Dream I Do)", with "Magic Is The Moonlight" on the flipside, enters Billboard's Pop singles chart where it will stay for 3 weeks and peak at #5
70 Years Ago Today In 1945 - During a split session held at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California, first Andy Russell (on vocals), with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Without You (Tres Palabras)" and "If I Had A Wishing Ring" then Paul Weston and His Orchestra (with Weston conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians) records a unissued take of "Caprice Viennois". Capitol Records will issue "Without You (Tres Palabras)" and "If I Had A Wishing Ring" (which was the song Russell sang in the movie "Breakfast In Hollywood") together as a single (Capitol 234).
1947 - Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ray Wetzel, Al Porcino, Chico Alvarez, and Ken Hanna on trumpet; Milt Bernhart, Eddie Bert, Harry Betts, and Harry Forbes on trombone; Bart Varsalona on bass trombone; George Weidler and Art Pepper on alto saxophone; Bob Cooper, and Warner Weidler on tenor saxophone; Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone; Kenton on piano; Laurindo Almeida on guitar; Eddie Safranski on bass; Shelly Manne on drums; Jack Costanzo on bongos; and June Christy on vocals) record the tracks "Metronome Riff (Pete's Riff)" (with the Metronome All Stars: Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, Bill Harris on trombone, Flip Phillips on tenor saxophone, Buddy DeFranco on clarinet, Nat Cole on piano, Billy Bauer on guitar, and Buddy Rich on drums, solos by Cole, Bauer, DeFranco, Harris, Phillips Gillespie, Safranski, and Rich), "Introduction To A Latin Rhythm (Prologue Suite - First Movement)" (with Carlos Vidal on congas and Machito on maracas, solos by Kenton, Cooper, and Bert), "Journey To Brazil (Prologue Suite - Finale)" (with Carlos Vidal on congas and Machito on maracas, solos by Almeida, Bernhart, Bert, Cooper, Pepper, Porcino, Childers, and Costanzo), and "How High The Moon" (vocal by Christy, solos by Bert, Alvarez, and Pepper) at RKO-Pathe Studios, in New York City, New York
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Kay Starr (on vocals) with Lou Busch and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Love Sick Blues" and "Noah" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Lovesick Blues" as a single (Capitol 1357) with "" on the flipside and "Noah as a single (Capitol 2334) with "" on the flipside.
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - Edgar D. Glosup (on vocals as "Eddie Dean"), with a unidentified orchestra, records the titles "My Life With You", "Will They Open Up That Door?", "If I Should Come Back", and "All That I'm Asking Is Sympathy" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two songs together as a single (Capitol 1362) and the last two songs together as a single (Capitol 1389).
65 Years Ago Today In 1950 - During a split session held at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM, first Jerry Marlowe (on vocals), with music by Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Uan Rasey and Origene LaFreniere on trumpet, Francis "Joe" Howard on trombone, John Graas on French horn, J.A. Krechter and Henry Woempner on flute, Gordon Green on oboe, Arthur Fleming on bassoon, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Phil Stephens on bass, John Cyr on drums, and Kathryn Thompson on harp), records the titles "The Whistler And His Dog" and "Song Of The Owl And The Duck" then Arthur Q. Bryan (on vocals) also with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the same musicians, records the titles "I'm Glad I'm Not A Rubber Ball" and "Little Dead-Eye Dick". Capitol Records will issue Jerry Marlowe's titles together on the children's album "The Whistler And His Dog/Song Of The Owl And The Duck" (CAS-3089) and Bryan's titles together on the children's album "I'm Glad I'm Not A Rubber Ball/Little Dead-Eye Dick" (CAS-3088).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Ray Anthony (on trumpet) and His Orchestra (Johnny Best, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Triscari, and Mannie Klein also on trumpet) Dick Nash and Tommy Pederson on trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Gus Bivona and Wilbur Schwartz on clarinet and alto saxophone, Georgie Auld and Gene Cipriano on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Buddy Cole on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, and Irv Cottler on drums), using arrangements by George Williams, records the titles "Cheek To Cheek", "You And The Night And The Music", and, using a arrangement by Don Simpson, "Big Band Boogie" (aka "Twelve Bar Boogie") in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Cheek To Cheek", "You And The Night And The Music", and, after an overdub by the Anthony Choir (on vocals, lineup unlisted) is recorded on December 28, 1955, "Big Band Boogie" on the multi-artist LP "Dance To The Bands!" (TBO 727).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Dick Haymes (on vocals), with Ian Bernard and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "The Very Thought Of You", "The Nearness Of You", and "The More I See You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Haymes' album "Rain Or Shine" (T 713).
60 Years Ago Today In 1955 - During a split session held this day in Los Angeles, California, first Tex Ritter (on vocals), with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra and The June Nelson Singers (lineups unlisted), records the titles "These Hands" and "The Last Frontier" then Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra, with vocalists The Mellomen (both lineups unlisted), records "Port Au Prince", and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You". Capitol Records will issue "These Hands" and "The Last Frontier" together as a single (Capitol 3324), "Port Au Prince" as a single (Capitol 3374) with "Midnight Blues" (recorded January 21, 1956) on the flipside, and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" as a single (Capitol F3877) with "The Girl Most Likely" (recorded December 23, 1957) on the flipside.
1962 - Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra record the tracks "Bonanza Theme", "New Naked City Theme", "Ballad Of Paladin", and "Dick Van Dyke Theme" for his Capitol Records album "More Hit TV Themes"
1963 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Be True To Your School", with "In My Room" on the flipside, peaks at #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "We Can Work It Out" enters Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
50 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Tex Ritter (on vocals), with an unlisted orchestra, records the titles "Custody" and "The Men In My Little Girl's Life" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 5574).
1966 - The Beatles record the tracks for their songs "When I'm Sixty-Four" and "Strawberry Fields Forever"
1966 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Good Vibrations", with "Let's Go  Away for Awhile" on the flip side, and their Capitol Records albums "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Shut Down, Vol. 2." are certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. "Good Vibrations" is the only single by The Beach Boys to be certified Gold during the 1960s.
1974 - Grand Funk Railroad records the track "Some Kind Of Wonderful" for Capitol Records
1974 - Helen Reddy's Capitol Records single "Angie Baby" is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
30 Years Ago Today In 1985 - Heart's self-titled Capitol Records album hits #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart
25 Years Ago Today In 1990 - Wilson Phillips' SBK Records single "Impulsive", distributed by Capitol Records, peaks at #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1992 - Nathan Milstein, violinist and Capitol Records artist (1958 with pianist Artur Balsam "Beethoven: Sonata Number 9 in A Major, Opus 47 "Kreutzer" and Sonota Number 8 in G Major, Opus 30 Number 3", released as part of the FDS series), dies at age 88, ten days before his 89th birthday on December 31, in London, England

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1951 - Nick Gilder, singer with the band Sweeney Todd and a solo artist with Chrysalis Records (1977-1979), is born in London, England. Chrysalis' catalog was once owned by Capitol Music Group's then parent company EMI Music Group and is now owned by Warner Music Group.
1963 - Jan and Dean record the track "Drag City" which will be released as Liberty Records single with "Schlock Rod Part 1" on the flipside and peak at #10 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Liberty's catalog is owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company EMI Music Group.
35 Years Ago Today In 1980 - John Lennon's Geffen/Lenono Music single "(Just Like) Starting Over" hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart 13 days after his death. The song is currently distributed by Capitol Records.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
110 Years Ago Today In 1905 - Harry Revel, composer ("Did You Ever See A Dream Walking", "Stay As Sweet As You Are", "Love Thy Neighbor", "Paris in the Spring" and many more) and winner (with songwriting partner Mack Gordon) of nine Academy Awards for nine other songs, is born in London, England.
1914 - "Tillie’s Punctured Romance", the first six-reel feature-length comedy motion picture, is released. The film stars Marie Dressler, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Swain and is directed by Mack Sennett.
1937 - Walt Disney presents the first full-length animated feature, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood, California