MARCH 31, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1908 - "Red" Norvo, bandleader, xylophone and vibraphone player, session player and Capitol Records artist, is born Kenneth Norville in Beardstown, Illinois

1934 - Shirley Jones, singer, motion picture and television actress and Capitol Records artist (soundtracks to the motion pictures "Oklahoma!", "Carousel", and "The Music Man") is born Shirley Mae Jones in Charleroi, Pennsylvania

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1945 - Johnny Mercer and Jo Stafford's Capitol Records single "Candy", the flipside of Mercer's "I'm Gonna See My Baby", is still #1 on the U.S. Pop singles charts

1957 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Gone", with "Missing Persons" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

1964 - The Beatles become the first musical act to hold the top 5 positions ("Can't Buy Me Love" at #1, "Twist and Shout" at #2, "She Loves You" at #3, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at #4, and "Please Please Me" at #5) on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1968 - Skeets McDonald (born Enos William McDonald), singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Capitol Records artist, dies in California at age 52 after suffering a massive heart attack

1968 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone", with "Everybody Needs Somebody" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts

1974 - Blue Swede's Capitol Records single "Hooked On A Feeling", with "Gotta Have Your Love" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

25 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Garth Brooks' Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) single "Two Of A Kind Workin' On A Full House", with "Unanswered Prayers" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1943 - "Oklahoma!" (originally titled "Away We Go") opens on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in New York City, New York with stars Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Celeste Holm, and Howard DeSilva. Later made into a motion picture, Capitol Records will release it's soundtrack which will become the first album to be certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1962 - EMI withdraws all 78 rpm records in their catalogue

1980 - EMI Records, Capitol Records parent company, reports a twelve months trading loss of £2,800,000

1995 - Selena (born Selena Quintanilla Perez), singer and EMI Latin artist, is shot by the president of her fan club and dies at age 24.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1949 - To compete with Columbia's new 33 rpm LP, RCA Victor debuts it 45 rpm (78-33=45) system when it releases 76 albums (3 or 4 discs in a boxed set) and 104 singles on 7-inch large-hole 45-rpm records. The first 45 rpm disc,"Texarkana Baby" by Eddy Arnold, was issued by RCA in the US on March 31, 1949. It was made of green vinyl, as part of an early attempt to color-code singles according to the genre of music they featured. Others included red for classical music and yellow for children's songs. Capitol Records will be the first label to release its product in all three formats.

MARCH 30, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1913 - Frankie Laine, singer, songwriter, actor, Capitol and Tower Records (along with many other labels) artist, is born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio in Chicago, Illinois

1945 - Eric Clapton CBE, (aka Slowhand, aka God), guitarist, singer, songwriter, motion picture actor, and member of the Apple Records group Plastic Ono Band, is born Eric Patrick Clapp in The Green, Ripley, Surrey, England

1963 - M.C. Hammer (aka Hammer), singer, songwriter, motion picture actor, and Capitol Records artist, is born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1944 - The Pied Piper's Capitol Records single "Mairzy Doats", with "A Journey To A Star" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - "St. Louis Woman", a musical with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Capitol Records' co-founder and president Johnny Mercer, opens at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) at 302 West 45 Street in midtown Manhattan, New York and will run for 113 performances. The cast includes Robert Pope as Badfoot, Harold Nicholas as Little Augie, Fayard Nicholas as Barney, June Hawkins as Lilli, Pearl Bailey as Butterfly, Ruby Hill as Della Green, Rex Ingram as Biglow Brown, and Milton J. Williams as Mississippi. After sessions are held on April 7, 8, and 9, 1946, Capitol Records will issue the original cast album which will be the label's first (CE-28).
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Vocalist Smiley Burnette, with unlisted others, recorded the titles "Do The Pines Grow Green In The Valley?", "I Ain't Done Nothin' To You", "Can't Go On", and "I Can't Be Honest With You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last titles together as a single (Capitol 1520) and the second and third titles together as a single (Capitol 1746).
1952 - During three sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, the original Broadway cast of "Three Wishes For Jamie" (Anne Jeffreys, John Raitt, Bert Wheeler, Robert Halliday, Charlotte Rae, and Peter Conlow), with an uncredited chorus and Joseph Littaw directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted) using music and lyrics by Ralph Blane, record the titles "Prologue/The Wake (with vocals by the ensemble)/The Girl That I Court In My Mind (vocals by John Riatt)", "My Home's A Highway (vocals by Anne Jeffreys)/We're For Love (vocals by Bert Wheeler and Chorus)", and "My Heart's Darlin' (vocals by Anne Jeffreys and John Raitt)/Love Has Nothing To Do With It (vocals by Bert Wheeler, Robert Halliday, Charlotte Rae, and Chorus)" at the first session, "Goin' On A Hayride" (vocals by Anne Jeffreys, John Raitt, Petter Conlow, and Chorus)/I'll Sing You A Song (vocals by Bert Wheeler, Robert Halliday, Peter Conlow, and Chorus), "It Must Be Spring (vocals by Anne Jeffreys and Chorus)/Wedding March (vocals by the Ensemble)/The Army Mule Song (vocals by John Raitt, Bert Wheeler, Peter Conlow, and The Chorus)", "What Do I Know? (vocals by Anne Jeffreys)/Love Has Nothing To Do With Looks (Reprise) (vocals by Anne Jeffreys)" at the second session, and "It's A Wishing World (vocals by Anne Jeffreys and John Raitt)/Trottin' To The Fair (vocals by John Raitt, Robert Halliday, and Chorus)" and "April Face (vocals by Anne Jeffreys, John Raitt, and Bert Wheeler)/Kevin's Prayer (vocals by Bert Wheeler)/Finale (vocals by The Ensemble)" at the third session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the original Broadway cast album "Three Wishes For Jaime" (S-317).

1953 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Pretend", with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle and "Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (For Your Heart)" by Nat King Cole and the Trio, on the flipside, is #4 on the U.S. Pop singles chart
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Nat "King" Cole, with Ralph Carmichael conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted but possibly including Hank Jones on piano, John Collins on guitar, Charlie Harris on bass, and Lee Young on drums), records new versions of the titles "Unforgettable", "Mona Lisa", and "The Christmas Song" in stereo at Capitol Records' studios at 151 W. 46th Street in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the 3 LP set "The Nat 'King' Cole Story" (SWCL 1613). It's the tracks from this version of "Unforgettable" that will be used to make the electronically created duet of the song with Cole's daughter Natalie in 1991.

1962 - Lou Rawls (on vocals, with unlisted musicians) records the track "Save Your Love For Me" and a as yet unissued take of the track "What Makes The Ending So Sad?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 4761) with "Please Let Me Be The First To Know" (recorded February 23, 1962) on the flipside.

1967 - The cover of The Beatles' Capitol Records album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album is staged by Peter Blake and photographed by Michael Cooper at 4 Chelsea Manor Studios, 1-11 Flood Street, just off King's Road in Chelsea in the late afternoon.

1969 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass", with "There's Gonna Be Some Changes Made" on the flip side, is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts

1974 - Grand Funk Railroad's Capitol Records single "The Loco-Motion", with "Destitute And Losin'" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

1977 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Southern Nights", with "William Tell Overture" on the flip side is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

1985 - Power Station's Capitol Records single "Some Like It Hot", with "The Heat Is On" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

1997 - Trace Adkin's Capitol Records Nashville single "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" with "634-5789" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1955 - The Best Music/Song Oscar went to Jule Styne (music) and Sammy Cahn (lyrics) for the title track to the motion picture "Three Coins in the Fountain" which was sung by Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra and released as a single by Capitol Records

1969 - Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost's Imperial Records single "Traces", with "Mary Mary Row Your Boat" on the flipside, is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

1974 - Mike Oldfield's Virgin Records single "Tubular Bells", with a shorter version on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Virgin Records catalog is currently owned by EMI Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1975 - Future Capitol Records artist Minnie Ripperton's Epic Records single "Lovin' You", with "Edge Of A Dream" on the flip side, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Capitol Records currently distributes Ripperton's complete catalog and the track has appeared on various Capitol Records compilation albums.

1979 - Norah Jones, singer, songwriter, pianist, daughter of sitarist Ravi Shankar, and Blue Note Records artist, is born in New York City, New York

2004 - Timi Yuro (born Rosemary Timotea Yuro), singer and Liberty Records artist, dies in Las Vegas of throat cancer at age 63

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

35 Years Ago Today In 1986 - James Cagney, actor, dancer, singer and president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1942-1944, dies at his Dutchess County farm in Stanfordville, New York of a heart attack at age 86. He is later interred in the Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven in Hawthorne, New York.

MARCH 29, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1918 - Pearl Bailey, singer, Broadway, motion picture (co-starred with Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole in "St. Louis Blues") and television actress, and Capitol Records artist (in Capitol Records' first original Broadway cast album "St. Louis Woman", is born Pearl Mae Bailey in Newport News, Virginia

1959 - Perry Farrell, singer, songwriter, member of the Capitol Records group Jane's Addiction is born Perry Bernstein in New York City, New York

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1947 - Jack Smith (on vocals) & The Clark Sisters (on vocals), with Earl Sheldon and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the tracks "Oh, My Achin' Heart", "Cu Tu Ru Gu" (Jack, Jack, Jack), and a rejected take of "Old Devil Moon" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 403).
1957 - Tommy Sands (on vocals with an unlisted tenor saxophone player, Bob Bain lead guitar, Buck Owens rhythm guitar, and unlisted bass player, drummer, and vocal charus) records the tracks "Too Young To Go Steady", "I Don't Know Why", "Gonna Get A Girl", and "I Don't Care Who Knows It" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Sands' album "Steady Date With Tommy Sands" (T 848).
1957 - Ray Bauduc & Nappy Lamare & Their Riverboat Dandies (Martin Peppie on trumpet, Rolly Furnas on trombone, Gene Bolen on clarinet, Don Owens on piano, Nappy Lamare on guitar and banjo, Ray Leatherwood on bass, and Ray Bauduc on drums) record the tracks "Riverboat Shuffle", "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans", "South Rampart Street Parade" and "Walking With The King" with vocals by Nappy Lamare and Rolly Furnas. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on the group's self-titled album "Ray Bauduc & Nappy Lamare & Their Riverboat Dandies" (T 877).

1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Can't Buy Me Love", with "You Can't Do That" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1967 - The Beatles record the track "With A Little Help From Friends" at Abbey Road Studios in London, England. Capitol Records will issue the track on the band's album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (MAS 2653).
1967 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Elva Miller records the tracks "This Ole House", "May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose", "Oh, Lonesome Me", and "Shutters & Boards" at the first session and "A Little Bitty Tear", "There Goes My Everything", "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail", and "Memphis, Tennessee" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Miller's album "The Country Soul Of Mrs. Miller" (T 2734).

1974 - Grand Funk Railroad's Capitol Records album "Shinin' On" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1990 - Bonnie Raitt's Capitol Records album "Nick Of Time" is #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart

1993 - Liberty Records (which will later be renamed Capitol Records Nashville) releases Lacy J. Dalton's compilation album "The Best of Lacy J. Dalton"

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1943 - Eric Idle, screenwriter, playright, songwriter, televison and motion picture actor, and member of the Virgin Records America group Monty Python's Flying Circus, is born in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, England

65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - The Academy Award for Best Music/Song is given to Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for "Mona Lisa", which is from the Paramount Pictures motion picture "Captain Carey, U.S.A." and was later recorded by Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole

1999 - Joe Williams, singer and Roulette Records artist with Count Basie and His Orchestra, dies in Las Vegas, Nevada at age 80 after he walks out of the hospital where he is being treated for a respiratory ailment, walks nearly three miles on foot, and collapses on the street a few blocks from his home.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1932 - Jack Benny appears on what he later said was his radio debut when he was a guest on Ed Sullivan's interview show on WABC at 8:45 PM. According to this article, Jack actually debuted on radio on September 4, 1931 on "RKO Theater On The Air " at 10:30 PM over WEAF, the flagship station of the Red Network of NBC.

MARCH 28, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1890 - Paul Whiteman, (aka "The King of Jazz") violinist, bandleader (who's members included future Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer as a vocalist and future Capitol Records artists Bing Crosby [also as a vocalist] and Jack Teagarden on trombone), who commissioned George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" and premiered it in 1924 with Gershwin on piano, motion picture actor, radio show host, music director for the ABC Radio Network, and Capitol Records artist whose first single for the label, "I Found A New Baby" with "The General Jumped At Dawn" on the flipside, was also Capitol Records' first released single, is born in Denver, Colorado.
1930 - Bill Hughes, trombonist who worked in sessions with Capitol Records artists Frank Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole, as well as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstein, Sammy Davis, Jr., Lena Horne, Rosemary Clooney, is born in Dallas, Texas

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Jo Stafford, with Nat "King" Cole on piano, records the tracks "Ridin' On The Gravy Train", "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" (which will be released as the flip side of Cole's Capitol Records single "This Is Always"), "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?", and "Cindy" (which she co-wrote with Johnny Mercer and her future husband Paul Weston and will be released as a single by Capitol Records with "I've Never Forgotten", also with Cole on piano, on the flip side)
1947 - The Benny Goodman Sextet (Benny Goodman on clarinet, Ernie Felice on accordion, Tommy Todd on piano, Dave Barbour on guitar, Harry Babasin on bass, and Tom Romersa on drums) records the tracks "The Bannister Slide", "Eight, Nine and Ten" (with vocals by Peggy Lee), and "I Never Knew" (without guitar and accordion) at Radio Recorders in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the second track on Peggy Lee's CD "Rare Gems And Hidden Treasures" (5-27564-2) and the last track on the CD "The Best Of Benny Goodman" (8-21145-2). Mosaic Records will issue all three tracks in Goodman's box set "The Complete Capitol Small Group Recordings of Benny Goodman" (MQ6-148).
1948 - Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole marries future Capitol Records artist Maria Ellington, who will also be the mother of future Capitol Records artist Natalie Cole.
1950 - Dean Martin records the tracks "Choo'n Gum" and "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" which will be released together as a single by Capitol Records
1953 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "April In Portugal" enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
1962 - Peggy Lee (on vocals), with Benny Carter conducting the orchestra (Conrad Gozzo, Ray Triscari, Al Porcino, and Shorty Sherock on trumpets, Tommy Shepard, Milt Bernhart, Ken Shroyer, and George Roberts on trombones, Justin Gordon on reeds, Lou Levy on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Max Bennett on bass, Mel Lewis on drums, Emil Richards on vibraphones and percussion, and Francisco "Chino" Pozo on percussion) using arrangements by Carter and Billy Byers, records the tracks "Ain't That Love", "See See Rider", "Loads Of Love", and "I Believe In You" at The Capitol Tower Studios In Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first, second, and last tracks on Lee's album "Sugar 'N' Spice" (T 1772) and "Loads Of Love" as a single (Capitol F4750) with "The Sweetest Sounds" (recorded April 4, 1962) on the flipside.
1962 - Billy May and His Orchestra (Uan Rasey, Conrad Gozzo, John Best, and Emanuel "Mannie" Klein on trumpets, Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, Murray McEachern, and William Schaefer on trombones, Harry Klee, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Plas Johnson, Fred Falensby, and Chuck Gentry on saxophones, Jimmy Rowleson on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Max Bennett on bass, Irving Cottler and Frank Flynn on drums) record the tracks "Loads Of Love", "No Strings", "Love Makes The World Go Round", "The Sweetest Sounds", and "Be My Host" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on May's album "The Sweetest Swingin' Sounds Of "No Strings" (T 1709).
1962 - Cindy Malone (on vocals), with Jimmie Haskell directing an uncredited orchestra, records the tracks "The Fool I Used To Be" and "Things That Mean The Most To Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 5115) with "Watch What You Do With My Baby" on the flipside. No issuing information is listed for the second track.
1962 - Nathan Milstein (on violin), with an uncredited chamber orchestra conducted by Robert Irving, records Rimsky-Korsakov's "Fantasia On Russian Themes, Opus 33" (arranged by Kreisler) aka "Russian Fantasy" in New York City, New York. Angel Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, will issue the track on Milstein's album "Music Of Old Russia" (S-36002).
1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Can't Buy Me Love" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1967 - The Beach Boys cancelled a planned session in Los Angeles, California. If anyone knows the reason, please leave a comment.
1972 - The Stewardesses (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Fly Me" and "Lovin' Ain't Easy" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 3326).
1972 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased for Buddy Alan's tracks "I'm In Love" and "The Happiness Song" which were recorded earlier that year at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and produced by Buck Owens Enterprises. Capitol will issue the two tracks together as a single (Capitol 3346).
1974 - The Capitol Records group The Raspberries break up
2000 - Capitol Nashville releases John Berry's compilation album "Greatest Hits"

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1915 - Jay Livingston, pianist, Academy Award winning composer (with partner Ray B. Evans) of such songs as "Buttons and Bows", "Mona Lisa", "Silver Bells", "Silver Bells", "Tammy" and the theme song for the television show "Bonanza" and many others), motion picture actor, one-time brother-in-law of Capitol Records artist Betty Hutton, and brother of former Capitol Records Vice-President, President, and Chairman Of The Board Alan Livingston, is born in McDonald, Pennsylvania. If anyone knows Jay's middle name, please leave a comment.
1920 - Actors Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford, two of the four founders of United Artists Pictures (the others being Charlie Chaplin and director D.W. Griffith), get married. United Artists would later start a record label, United Artists Records, whose catalog is currently owned by EMI Music Group, Capitol Music Groups parent company.
1942 - Neil Kinnock, politician and vice president of the U.K. Gene Vincent Fan Club, is born in Tredegar, South Wales
1948 - John Evan, keyboard player with the Chrysalis Records group Jethro Tull, is born John Spencer Evans, in Blackpool, Lancashire, England
1958 - W.C. Handy (born William Christopher Handy), composer, guitarist, cornet player, a founder of Black Swan Records (the first black-owned record company), whose life was the basis of the motion picture "St. Louis Blues" which stars Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole as Handy, dies of acute bronchial pneumonia at age 84 before the movie is released later the same year, and is later buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York
1962 - Jimmy Smith (with unlisted musicians) records the track "Walk On The Wild Side" for Verve Records. Blue Note Records will license the track and release it on Smith's album "The Definitive Jimmy Smith" (5-40038-2).
1962 - Ged Grimes, percussionist, bassist, keyboard player and vocalist with the Virgin Records America group Meet Danny Wilson, is born Gerard Grimes. If anyone knows for sure where, please leave a comment.
1964 - Jan & Dean's Liberty Records single "Dead Man's Curve", with "The New Girl In School" on the flipside, enters the top 40 Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will peak at #7. Liberty Records catalog is currently owned by EMI Music Group, the parent company of Capitol Music Group.
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Gary Lewis and The Playboys record the track "Green Grass" which will be released as a single by Liberty Records with "I Can Read Between The Lines" on the flip side
1969 - Frank Loesser, composer, dies in New York City, New York at age 58
1977 - Vera Lynn (on vocals with unlisted musicians on guitar, steel guitar, bass, drums, and strings) and the vocal group The Jordanaires record the tracks "My Mother's Eyes", "Make The World Go Away", and "You Don't Know Me" at The Owen Bradley Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. After creating an edited version of "My Mother's Eyes" EMI will release it and the last two tracks in England on Lynn's album "Vera Lynn In Nashville" (EMC 3203).

MARCH 27, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1963 - Dave Koz, saxophonist, radio show host, and Capitol Records artist, is born David Kozlowski in the San Fernando Valley in California. If anyone knows for sure which city and/or what Dave's middle name is, please leave a comment.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1942 - George G. DeSylva, John Mercer, and Glenn E. Wallichs appear before Los Angeles county and California state Notary Public Leta Niccum to acknowledge that they have executed articles of incorporation for Liberty Records, Inc. which will be filed with the state of California on April 9, 1942. The three will apply for a Certificate of Amendment on May 27, 1942, before Ms. Niccum again to change the name of the corporation to Capitol Records, Inc., which will be filed with the state of California on June 1, 1942.
1947 - Tex Williams and His Western Caravan record the track "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" which will be released as a single by Capitol Records with "Roundup Polka" on the flip side
1948 - Peggy Lee's Capitol Records single "Manana", with "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" on the flipside is #1 on Billboard's singles charts
1950 - Johnny Mercer, with The Skylarks and Ben Pollack & his Pick-A-Rib Boys, records the tracks "At The Jazz Band Ball" and "She's Shimmyin' On The Beach Again" which will be released together as a single by Capitol Records
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line", with "In The Palm Of Your Hand" on the flip side, is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
45 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Dream Baby", with "Here And Now" on the flip side (Capitol 3062), enters the U.S. Country singles charts. Many thanks to Richard Price for the correction!
1989 - Buck Owens and Ringo Starr record the track "Act Naturally" at Abbey Road Studios, London, England. The track will be released as a single by Capitol Records in August 1989 with Owens' track "Key's In The Mailbox" on the flip side.
2005 - Paul Hester, drummer with the group Split Enz and the Capitol Records group Crowded House, is found dead after an apparent suicide in a park in Melbourne, Australia at age 46
2007 - 8:00 PM until at least Midnight - Guitar night at Spazio's with John Pisano featured a "Tribute to Al Viola" by the guitar community with Chuck Berghofer on bass, Tim Pleasant on drums and John Pisano, with at least 20 other guitarists, including veteran Capitol Records session guitarist Bob Bain, many who were able to perform. The Sherman Oaks, California restaurant was packed with an audience consisting of Al's family and his many friends and fans. A video rememberance of Al featuring clips of him in the Page Cavanaugh Trio, with a trio lead by Bobby Troup, and later performances was shown and after, a group photo was taken. Then all the guitarists signed the back of a custom guitar now dubbed "The Guitar Night Guitar".

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1924 - Sarah Vaughan, pianist, singer and Roulette Records artist (1959-1963) is born Sarah Lois Vaughan in Newark, New Jersey. Roulette's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company EMI Music Group and is being reissued by Blue Note Records and Mosaic Records.
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Clark Datchler, vocalist with the Virgin Records America group Johnny Hates Jazz, is born in London, England. I converted their first album's art for U.S. release as well as the art for their single "Shattered Dreams" and various trade ads.
1970 - Mariah Carey, singer and one time Virgin Records America artist, is born in New York City, New York

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1952 - Sun Records begins operations
1958 - CBS Laboratories introduces "Stereophonic Recordings" which are playable either on ordinary monaural phonographs, or on "special" stereo equipment

MARCH 26, 2016

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Judy Garland records the tracks "I'm Old Fashioned" and "Memories Of You" with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the studio orchestra at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue Studios in Hollywood, California for Garland's Capitol Records album "Judy". "I'm Old Fashioned" would not make it on to the initial release of the album in 1956, but it was eventually included as a bonus track on the 1989 CD version of the album.
1959 - Frank Sinatra records the tracks "I Can't Get Started", "Where Do You Go?", "A Cottage For Sale", and "Just Friends" with arranger Gordon Jenkins conducting the orchestra at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California for Sinatra's Capitol Records album "No One Cares"
1962 - Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (including Ray Starling, Gene Roland, Dwight Carver, and Carl Saunders on mellophonium and Alvino Ray on steel pedal guitar) begin 3 days of recording sessions (the other two days are March 29 and 30, 1962) with vocalist Tex Ritter for their Capitol Records album of Country and Western standards "Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter!"
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Brian Wilson's Capitol Records single "Caroline, No", with "Summer Means New Love" on the flipside, enters Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will peak at #32 on April 30, 1966

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1958 - Eddie Cochran (on vocals, guitar, and guitar overdubs) records the title "Summertime Blues" (with Connie 'Guybo' Smith on electric bass, Earl Palmer on drums, and probably Sharon Sheeley and Jerry Capehart on handclapping) at Goldstar Studios in Hollywood, California. Liberty Records will release the song as a single (LIBERTY F-55144) with "Love Again" (recorded sometime in May of 1958) on the flipside. Universal Music Group, owners of EMI and Capitol Music Groups, now control Liberty Records' masters.
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Johnny River's Imperial Records single "Secret Agent Man", with "You Dig" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1973 - Sir Noël Peirce Coward, singer, songwriter, playwright, director, actor, filmmaker, novelist, and EMI Records artist, dies at his home, Firefly Estate, in Jamaica, West Indies at age 73 of heart disease.
1978 - Crystal Gayle's United Artist Records single "Ready For The Times To Get Better", with "Beyond You" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
130 Years Ago Today In 1886 - Al Jolson, singer, Broadway, motion picture and radio actor and host, is born Asa Yoelson in St. Petersburg, Russia

MARCH 25, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1938 - Hoyt Axton, singer, songwriter, guitarist, motion picture and television actor, and Capitol Records artist, is born Hoyt Wayne Axton in Duncan, Oklahoma

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1947 - Karl and Harty (Karl Davis & Hartford Taylor) record the tracks "The B-I-B-L-E", "That Pretty Little Face", "True Love" and the as yet unissued track "Lips That Touch Liquor (Shall Never Touch Mine)" in Los Angeles, California for The Capitol Records Transcription Service. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 415) and the third track as a single (Capitol Americana 40044) with "Pretty Thing" on the flipside.
1947 - Harold Peary (narrating as "The Great Gildersleeve"), with music by Robert Emmett Dolan who is also directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "Cinderella, Part 1", "Cinderella, Part 2" and "Cinderella, Part 3" at Radio Recorders in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on the children's album "Stories For Children - The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 3" (CD-69).
1949 - Jo Stafford's Capitol Records single "A You're Adorable" enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
1957 - The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William Steinberg, records Elgar's "Enigma variations, Opus 36" at The Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Capitol Records will issue the track on the orchestra's album "ELGAR - Enigma Variations, Opus 36/VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - Fantasia On A Theme By Tallis" (P-8383).
1958 - Gene Vincent (on vocals) records the titles "Git It" (with Johnny Meeks on lead guitar, Bobby Jones on electric bass, Cliff Simmons on piano, Grady Owens on rhythm guitar, Juvey Gomez on drums, clapper boys/backing vocals by Tommy Facenda & Paul Peek, backing bass vocals by Liberty Records artist Eddie Cochran) and "Dance In The Street" (without Cochran) at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will release the songs on Vincent's album "A Gene Vincent Record Date" (T 1059).
1962 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, records the as yet unissued tracks of Mozart's "Divertimento No. 2, K; 131 - Movement 1: Allegro/Menuet No. 1/Allegretto" and "Adagio No. 1/Adagio No. 2" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1963 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' second album "Surfin' U.S.A."
1964 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Fun Fun Fun" is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Buck Owens and The Buckaroos play to a sold out Carnegie Hall audience in New York, City. Capitol Records tapes the show and later releases a live album of the event.
1968 - Lou Rawls (on vocals), with H. B. Barnum conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records "You're Good For Me" and "Soul Serenade" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the two tracks together as a single (Capitol 2172).
1972 - Capitol Records releases Merle Haggard's single "Grandma Harp" which will become his twelfth # 1 record.
1977 - Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band's Capitol Records album "Night Moves" is certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A.
1977 - Final mixes are done for Gary Bartz's tracks "Carnaval De L'Esprit", "Ooh Baby Baby", "Love Ballad", "Funked Up", "Swing Thing", and "Macaroni" at Sound Factory West in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Bartz's album "Music Is My Sanctuary" (ST-11647).
1982 - Storm (Lear Stevens on guitar, Ronni Hanson on bass, Jimmy Monroe on drums, and Jeanette Chase on vocals) record the tracks "Hand In Hand" and "Settle Down" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the band's self-titled album "Storm" (ST-12259).
2003 - Capitol Records releases Rosanne Cash's album "Rules of Travel"

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1934 - Johnny Burnette, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Liberty Records artist, is born in Memphis, Tennessee
1958 - Liberty Records artist Eddie Cochran joins Tommy Facenda and Paul Peeks (Gene Vincent's backing singers) for The Capitol Session at The Capitol Tower in Hollywood, California

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1913 - The Palace Theatre opens its doors in New York City, New York with Ed Wynn as the first entertainer on the vaudeville bill
1939 - Billboard magazine publishes its first "Hillbilly Records" chart
1949 - Jack Kapp, co-founder of Decca Records, dies at age 47 in New York City, New York

MARCH 24, 2016

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1945 - The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records album "A Collection of Favorites" is the first #1 on Billboard's first album chart
1947 - Merle Travis' Capitol Records single "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed", with "Sweet Temptation" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1947 - Jimmy Wakely, with Stan Ellison directing an uncredited orchestra, records the tracks "I Hear You Talkin'", "I'm Gonna Marry Mary", "Song Of The Sierras", "Too Many Sweethearts", and "Oklahoma Hills" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and third tracks together as a single (Capitol Americana 40016), the second and fourth tracks together as a single (Capitol 414), and the last track on the compilation album "Cowboy Hit Parade" (AD-55).
1952 - Gordon MacRae (on vocals), with Van Alexander and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the track "There's A Lull In My Life", unissued takes of the tracks "Lost (I'm Lost)" and "Lazy As The Day Is Long", and the track "Blame It On My Youth" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last track together as a single (Capitol 2196).
1955 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup", with "The Sand And The Sea" on the flip side, is #4 on the U.S. Pops singles charts
1957 - Final overdubs are recorded for Stan Freberg's track "Tele-Vee-Shun" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the finished version as a single (Capitol F3687) with "Banana Boat (Day-O)" on the flip side.
1958 - Laurie London's Capitol Records single "He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)", with "Handed Down" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart and will become the first single certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
1962 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, records Mozart's "Divertimento N∞2 K.131: Menuet N∞ 2/Allegro N∞2" in Los Angeles, California. As of yet, the track remains unissued.
1967 - The Lettermen (vocalists Jim Pike, Tony Butala, and Bob Engemann), with uncredited musicians, record the tracks "Mr. Sun" and an unissued take of the track "Something Stupid". Capitol Records will issue "Mr.Sun" as a single (Capitol 5913) with "Volare" on the flipside.
1967 - Willie Hightower (on vocals), Robert Banks directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted) using his own arrangements, records the the tracks "For Sentimental Reasons/You Send Me", "You Are Mine", and "Because I Love You" in New York City, New York. After a sweetening session for all the tracks is held the same day, Capitol Records will issue the first and last tracks together as a single (Capitol 5916) and all the tracks on Hightower's album "If I Had A Hammer" (ST-367).
1972 - Marjorie McCoy (on vocals), with unlisted musicians, records the tracks "And That's Saying A Lot", an unissued take of "Looking Back", and the track "I'd Rather Go Blind" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last track together as a single (Capitol 3423).
1972 - During two sessions held this day at Music City Recorders in Nashville, Tennessee, Anita Carter (on vocals), with Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano, Ray Edenton, David Kirby, and Hollis "Red Lane" DeLaughter on guitar, Pete Drake on steel guitar, Bob Moore on bass, and Murrey M. "Buddy" Harman Jr. on drums, records the tracks "How To Be A Woman", "Too Much Of A Man To Be Tied Down", and "Walk On Out Of My Mind" at the first session between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM and the track "Love Is On The Way", the unissued and listed as now lost track "I Kinda Miss The Band", and the track "There's So Much Love Left Over" at the second session between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. After overdubs are recorded for the first, second and fourth tracks at the same location between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM on March 27, 1972 (with Johnny Gimble on fiddle, Pete Drake on steel guitar, and a vocal chorus consisting of Marcy Lynn Cates and Marjorie Ann Cates), the first and third tracks on March 29, the second and sixth tracks on April 19, 1972, and the fourth and fifth tracks on May 27, 1972 Capitol Records will issue all the tracks, except the fifth track, on Carters album "So Much Love" (ST-11085).
1972 - David Arlen records the track "Always Missing You", an unissued takes of the tracks "Tenderness Road" and "You're Everything Love's Supposed To Be" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 3384) with "I'm Beginning To See The Light" (recorded March 27, 1972) on the flipside.
1973 - Capitol Records releases Pink Floyd's album "Dark Side Of The Moon"
1979 - Anne Murray's Capitol Records single "I Just Fall In Love Again", with "Just To Feel This Love From You" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country Singles chart
1980 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' compilation album "Rarities"

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1949 - Jay Livingston and Ray Evans win the Academy Award for Best Music/Song for "Buttons and Bows" from the Paramount Pictures movie "The Paleface". Capitol Records has released two versions of the track as singles, one recorded by The Dinning Sisters with "San Antonio Rose" on the flipside and the other with vocals by Bob Hope and The Clark Sisters with "That's Not The Knot" on the flipside.

MARCH 23, 2016

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Stan Kenton and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me", with "Harlem Folk Dance" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Johnny Mercer's Capitol Records single "Personality", with "If I Knew Then" on the flipside, is #2 on the U.S. Pop singles chart
1950 - Billy May and His Orchestra, with May conducting his own arrangements to Uan Rasey, Rubin "Zeke" Zarchy, Irv Shulkin, and William Guy on trumpet, Ed Kusby, James Priddy, Si Zentner, and James Skiles on trombone, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Jules Kinsler, Donald Lazenby, Fred Falensby, and Arthur Fleming on saxophones, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, J.H. Washburne on bass, and John Cyr on drums,  record the titles "Minor March (Bottom Of The Cage)", "Circus Waltz" (with the scripts for both written by Alan Livingston), and the instrumental tracks for "Francis (The Talking Mule)" and "A Mule Is A Fool" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California on March 23, 1950 between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM on March 24, 1950. The vocals for the last two titles will be overdubbed by Chill Wills and The Starlighters on March 27, 1950. Capitol Records will issue the first two songs together on the children's album "Bozo's Circus Band" (DC-253) and the last two songs together on this children's album (CAS-3071).
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Les Paul and Mary Ford's Capitol Records single "How High The Moon", with "The Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Les Baxter's "Poor People of Paris", with "Theme From Helen Of Troy" on the flip side, is still #1 on the U.S. Pop Singles charts
1964 - Chet Baker signs a contract with Capitol Records
1967 - Pete Johnson, pianist, bandleader, and member of the Capitol Records group The Capitol Jazzmen, dies at Meyer Hospital in Buffalo, New York at age 62 after years of heart problems and complications after a stroke.
1968 - The Beatles' Apple Records single "Lady Madonna", with "The Inner Light" on the flipside and distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1969 - Merle Haggard records the track "Jesus, Take A Hold" for Capitol Records
1969 - Buck Owen's Capitol Records single "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass", the flipside of "There's Gotta Be Some Changes Made" hits #1 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart
1970 - The Chairmen Of The Board's Invictus Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records run by Holland and Dozier) single "Give Me Just a Little More Time", with "Since the Days of Pigtails (and Fairy Tales)" on the flip side, is #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
45 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Vocalist and guitarist Buck Owens and The Buckaroos (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Ruby (Are You Mad)", "Heartbreak Mountain", and "Uncle Pen" in Bakersfield, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 3096) and all three titles on Owens' album "Ruby" (ST-795).
1974 - Ringo Starr's Apple Records single "Oh My My", distributed by Capitol Records in the United States and with "Step Lightly" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

MARCH 22, 2016

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1965 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' album "The Early Beatles"
1969 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "Only The Lonely", with "The Journey" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart
1971 - Capitol Records releases Tennessee Ernie Ford's single "Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By" with "Happy Songs Of Love" on the flip side
1974 - Sam Donahue, tenor saxophone, trumpet, and valve trombone player, arranger, bandleader (his own, the U.S. Navy's, Billy May's for the Ray Anthony organization, Tommy Dorsey's which became the Frank Sinatra, Jr. Show's), Capitol Records session musician and member of the Capitol Records group Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, dies at age 56 of complications of cancer in Reno, Nevada
1977 - The Steve Miller Band's Capitol Records single "Fly Like An Eagle", with "Lovin' Cup" on the flipside, is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1977 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Southern Nights", with "William Tell Overture" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart
30 Years Ago Today In 1986 - Heart's "These Dreams", with "Shell Shock" on the flipside, is still #1 (the band's first) on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1958 - Pete Wylie, singer, guitarist, harmonica player, remixer, record producer, with the groups Echo And The Bunnyman and Wah!, and a Virgin Records America solo artist, is born in Liverpool, England. I designed the cover for the U.S. release of his single "Sinful".
1962 - Perry Bags, vocalist, and drummer with the EMI America group Jason & The Scorchers, is born. If anyone knows where Perry was born, please leave a comment. I worked on designs for the band's EMI America single "Golden Ball And Chain" and was at their video shoot for the single at the Palace Theater in Hollywood, California in 1986.
1963 - Parlophone Records releases The Beatles' first album "Please Please Me"
1978 - The Rutles' mockumentary "All You Need Is Cash", spoofing the career of The Beatles, produced by George Harrison (who also appears briefly as a reporter), and written by Eric Idle, airs for the first time in the United States
35 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Blondie's Chrysalis Records single "Rapture", with "Walk Like Me" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Chrysalis' catalog was owned by Capitol Music Group's previous parent company, EMI Music Group. Capitol's current parent company, Universal Music Group, sold Chrysalis' catalog to Warner Music Group.

MARCH 21, 2016

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1958 - Sonny James signs with Capitol Records
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' single "Sloop John B" with "You're So Good To Me" on the flipside
1970 - The Beatles' Apple Records album "Let It Be", distributed in the United States by Capitol Records, debuts at # 6 on Billboard Hot 100, the highest ranking ever for a new entry to that date
1979 - Buck Owens records the track "Play Together Again Again" for Capitol Records
1987 - Robert Preston, Broadway and motion picture actor, and Capitol Records artist (original Broadway cast album for "The Music Man"), dies
1987 - The Beatles hold down the Top 4 on US CD chart, with "A Hard Day's Night" at #1, "Please Please Me" at #2, "Beatles For Sale" at #3, and "With The Beatles" at #4
1993 - Capitol Records artist Anne Murray is inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame
1994 - Spearhead signs with Capitol Records

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - The Beatles play the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England for the first time thanks to a call from the mother of their drummer, Pete Best, to DJ Bob Wooler
1964 - The Beatles' Tollie Records single "Twist And Shout", with "There's A Place" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their "Bed-In" at the Amsterdam Hilton
1987 - Cutting Crew's Virgin Records America single "I Just Died In Your Arms" enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, the first of the label's releases to do so

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1869 - Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., Broadway theatrical producer, is born in Chicago, Illinois
1952 - Alan Freed presents The Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It's the first Rock `N' Roll stage show and features R&B artists including The Dominoes, Tiny Grimes, Paul Williams, Charles Brown, The Moonglows, and Clyde McPhatter
25 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Leo Fender (born Clarence Fender), designer of the solid body electric guitar and guitar manufacturer of the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, dies from complications from Parkinson's Disease in Fullerton, California at age 81

MARCH 20, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1918 - Marion McPartland, piano, radio show host, wife of cornetist Jimmy McPartland, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Margaret Marian Turner in Slough, Berkshire, England
1922 - Carl Reiner, television and motion picture director, producer, actor, comedian, and Capitol Records artist (The "2000 Year Old Man" series of comedy albums) is born in The Bronx, New York City, New York
1937 - Jerry Reed, musician, songwriter, singer, television and motion picture actor, and Capitol Records artist is born Jerry Reed Hubbard in Atlanta, Georgia
65 Years Ago today In 1951 - Guy Perry (aka Adrian Peritore), guitarist and vocalist in the Capitol Records group The Motels, is born in California. If anyone knows for sure where, please leave a comment

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1943 - The first issue of "Capitol News" is released to record stores across the country.
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Pianist Stan Kenton and his orchestra (Ray Wetzel, Maynard Ferguson, John Howell, Shorty Rogers, and Chico Alvarez on trumpets, Dick Kenney, Milt Bernhart, Bob Fitzpatrick, and Bart Varsalona on trombones, Bud Shank and Art Pepper on alto saxophones, Bob Cooper and Bart Caldarell on tenor saxophones, Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone, Ralph Blaze on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums) record the titles "Artistry In Tango" "September Song" with the band on vocals, and "Theme For Alto" at Capitol Records' studios on 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Artistry In Tango" and "September Song" together as a single (Capitol 1480) and "Theme For Solo" on Kenton's album "A Concert In Progressive Jazz" (T 172).
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Vocalist and guitarist Merle Travis, with George Tracy on harmonica, Roy Lanaham on lead guitar, Gene Mombeck on guitar, Arthur Douglas Dalton on mandolin, and Donald "Dusty" Rhodes on bass, records the titles "Lost John Boogie", "Deep South", "Boogie In Minor", and "Let's Settle Down" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Lost John Boogie" and "Let's Settle Down" together as a single (Capitol 1737) and "Deep South" and "Boogie In Minor" together as a single (Capitol 1519).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Vocalist Mary Small, with unlisted others, records the titles "The Valley Of Tears" and "Everybody But Me" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4563).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Vocalist Ron Husmann, with unlisted others, records the titles "Beautiful Women", "Easy Living", and "You're Just In Love" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Husmann's album "This Is Ron Husmann" (T 1624).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Tony Pastor, Jr., with unlisted others, records the titles "Book Of Happiness", "I Forgive You (But I Won't Forget", and the as yet to be issued takes of the titles "Beware" and "Too Little, Too Late" in New York City, New York. Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single.
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Comedian Milt Kamen, in front of a live audience at a unlisted location, records the titles "Opening Monologue" (with a brief introduction by Mel Brooks), "The Tomato", "The Israeli Airlines", "The Brooks Brothers", "True Life Adventures", "Johnny Ringo", "Wyoming", and "Whale Meeting" in New York City, New York with producer Mel Brooks. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Kamen's album "Here's Milt Kamen!" (T 1565).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls" enters the U.S. Country singles charts where it will peak at #1
1969 - John Lennon marries Yoko Ono on the Rock of Gibraltar
1987 - Capitol Records releases Glen Campbell's compilation album "The Very Best of Glen Campbell"
5 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Ralph Mooney, steel guitarist, one of the creators of the Bakersfield sound and session musician on many recordings by Capitol Records artists Buck Owens, Wanda Jackson, Merle Haggard and Wynn Stewart, died of complications of cancer at his home in Kennedale, Texas at age 82. His obituary can be found at http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ralph-mooney-20110322,0,3909277.story

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
110 Years Ago Today In 1906 - Ozzie Nelson, radio and television actor, bandleader, husband of Harriet Hilliard Nelson, and father actor David Nelson and of Imperial and Capitol Records artist Rick Nelson, is born Oswald George Nelson in Jersey City, New Jersey
1952 - Capitol Records co-founder and lyricist Johnny Mercer and composer Hoagy Charmichael win the Academy Award for Best Music/Song for "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" from the motion picture "Here Comes the Groom"

MARCH 19, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Paul Atkinson, original guitarist with the group The Zombies and Vice President A&R Catalog for Capitol Records until 2001, is born Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, England. I met with Paul several times while doing work for Capitol. He would listen to your case if you really had a passion for a project and had done your research to back it up, but he had the unenviable job of having to justifying the cost of re-releasing material with predicted sales and having to say "no" when the numbers just didn't add up. I remember going to his 55th birthday party in the small 12th floor conference room in The Capitol Tower and how he played guitar for his department's track for the annual employee Christmas album.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - During two sessions held this day at Radio Recorders' studios on Western Avenue in Hollywood, California, vocalist and guitarist Jack Guthrie and his Oklahomans (Charles Linville on fiddle, "Porky" Freeman on electric guitar, Red Murrell on rhythm guitar, and Allen Williams on bass), under the direction of Cliffie Stone, record the titles "The Clouds Rained Trouble Down", "You Laughed And Cried", "This Troubled Mind O' Mine", and "I'm Telling You" at the first session and "Bow Down Brother", "It's Too Late To Change Your Mind", "Look Out For The Crossing", and "Chained To A Memory" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "The Clouds Rained Trouble Down" as a single (Capitol 341) with "Oakie Oogie" (recorded October 22, 1946) on the flipside, "You Laughed And Cried" and "It's Too Late To Change Your Mind" together as a single (Capitol 406), "This Troubled Mind O' Mine" as a single (Capitol Americana 40012) with "I'm Building A Stairway To Heaven" (recorded October 25, 1944) on the flipside, "I'm Telling You" and "Chained To A Memory" together as a single (Capitol 309), "Bow Down Brother" as a single (Capitol 47-40118) with "You're Gonna Be Sorry" (recorded October 22, 1946) on the flipside, and "Look Out For The Crossing" as a single (Capitol 57-40131) with "No Need To Knock Upon My Door" (recorded October 24, 1957) on the flipside. Capitol will also release "This Troubled Mind O' Mine" and "Chained To A Memory" on Guthrie's memorial album "Oklahoma Hills" (AC-76).
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - During two split sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, the vocal group The Starlighters (Vince Degen, Tony Paris, Imogene Lynn, Jerry Duane, and Howard Hudson), with Buddy Cole and his orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the title "I Whistle A Happy Tune" then vocalist Jerry Lewis, with Dick Stabile conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the title "Never Been Kissed" at the first session. At the second session, The Starlighters, again with Buddy Cole and his orchestra, record the title "Sweet, Sweet Pauline" then vocalist Dottie O' Brien, with unlisted others, records the titles "Yak Yak Song" and "I Don't Wanna Go Home". Capitol Records will issue both of The Starlighters titles together as a single (Capitol 1481), Jerry Lewis' title as a single (Capitol 1482) with "A Hunting We Will Go" (recorded January 10, 1951) on the flipside, and both of Dottie O'Brien's titles together as a single (Capitol 1485).
1955 - Tennessee Ernie Ford's Capitol Records single "Ballad Of Davy Crockett (From Walt Disney's Davy Crockett)", with "Farewell (From Walt Disney's Davy Crockett)" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Organist Jackie Davis, with a unidentified orchestra, records the title "We'll Be Together Again" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the sampler album "Full Dimensional Sound From The Capitol Tower" (S 9031).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Vocalist Judy Garland, with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face" and "April Showers". Nelson Riddle and the orchestra will also record the band tracks for the titles "I Feel A Song Comin' On" and "Maybe I'll Come Back" for which Judy will record vocal overdubs on March 27, 1956. Capitol Records will issue "Dirty Hands, Dirty Faces" and "April Showers" on Garland's album "Judy" (T 734) and "April Showers" as a single (Capitol 6126) with "The Man That Got Away" (recorded April 23, 1961) on the flipside.
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line" is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Nowhere Man", with "What Goes On" on the flipside, is #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1979 - The group America signs with Capitol Records
20 Years Ago Today In 1996 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' Apple Records compilation "Anthology 2" in the United States

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1928 - Henry Ford Maddox, vocalist, mandolin and guitar player, with the group The Maddox Brothers & Rose which featured his sister, future Capitol Records artist Rose Maddox, is born in Boaz, Alabama
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Gary Lewis & The Playboys' Liberty Records single "Sure Gonna Miss Her", with "I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart
1983 - Thomas Dolby's Harvest Records single "She Blinded Me With Science", with "Flying North" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Harvest Records is a subsidiary of Capitol Records.
1988 - Natalie Cole's Manhattan Records single "Pink Cadillac", with "I Wanna Be That Woman" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will peak at #5. Manhattan Records is a division of Capitol Records.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1872 - Anna Held, actress, singer, one-time wife of Broadway producer Florence Ziegfeld, is born Helene Anna Held in Warsaw, Poland. The Institute of the American Musical in Los Angeles, California has a large collection of Held memorabilia, costumes and props, that was donated by her family.
1928 - Patrick McGoohan, stage, motion picture and television actor ("Danger Man" [aka "Secret Agent" in the United States], "The Three Lives of Thomasina", "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" "Braveheart", "Escape from Alcatraz", "The Silver Streak", "Ice Station Zebra", "I Am a Camera", and "The Prisoner" [which he also directed and wrote episodes]) is born in in Astoria, Queens, New York
1957 - Elvis Presley purchases his home, the Graceland mansion, in Memphis, Tennessee from Mrs. Ruth Brown-Moore

MARCH 18, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
105 Years Ago Today In 1911 - Smiley Burnette, singer, motion picture actor and Capitol Records artist, is born Lester Alvin Burnette in Summum, Illinois
1950 - John Hartman, drummer with the Capitol Records group The Doobie Brothers, is born in Falls Church, Virginia

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Vocalist and guitarist Merle Travis and his Cowboy Band (Jack McTaggart on trumpet, Larry "Pedro" De Paul on accordion, Eddie Kirk on rhythm , guitar, Earl James "Joaquin" Murphy on steel guitar, and Clifford G. Snyder aka Cliffie Stone on bass), directed by Cliffie Stone, record the titles "Weary Lonesome Me", "No Vacancy", "Cincinnati Lou", and "Two Is A Couple (And Three Is A Crowd)" at Radio Recorders' studios on Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "No Vacancy" and "Cincinnati Lou" together as a single (Capitol 258). Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany in the five CD box set "Guitar Rags And A Too Far Past" (BCD 15637).
1949 - During a split session held in Los Angeles, California, vocalist Johnny Mercers and The Starlighters (vocal group with unlisted lineup), with Paul Weston and his orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Candy Kisses" and "The Missouri Walking Preacher", then Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting, also with Paul Weston and his orchestra (lineup unlisted but includes trumpet, trombone, reeds, piano, guitar, bass, and drums players), record the title "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Capitol Records will issue "Candy Kisses" and "The Missouri Walking Preacher" together as a single (Capitol 57-558) and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" as a single (Capitol 57-567) with "I Never Heard You Say" (recorded March 23, 1949) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Les Baxter's Capitol Records single "The Poor People Of Paris", with "Theme from Helen of Troy" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - The Four Amigos (aka Los Borincanos, with Miguel Alcaide on vocals, Pedrito Berrios, German Salinas, and Jose [Guito] Vadiz on vocals and guitars) record the titles "Mr. Sandman", "Sincerely", "Ciao Ciao Bambino", "Stranger In Paradise", "Piel Canela", "Ko Ko Mo", "Fascination", "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing", "Arrivederci Roma", "Bon Bon De Elena", "Cumana", and "Medio Peso" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Mr. Sandman" and "Ciao Ciao Bambino" together as a single (Capitol 4614) and all the titles on the group's eponymous album "The Four Amigos" (T 1617).
1965 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail", with "Cryin' Time" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Oliver Nelson conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Wasn't It Wonderful?", "Going Out Of My Head", "Before The Rain", and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Wilson's album "A Touch Of Today" (T 2495).
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Vocalist Wayne Newton, with unlisted others, records the as yet to be issued titles "Who Can I Turn To?" and "The Shadow Of Your Smile", and the title "How Loud A Sound (Silence Can Be)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the last title as a single (Capitol 5692) with "Excuse Me, Baby" (recorded on May 5, 1966) on the flipside and on Newton's album "The Greatest Wayne Newton" (ST 2847).
1967 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Penny Lane", with "Strawberry Fields Forever, hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1968 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' Apple Records single "Lady Madonna", with "The Inner Light" on the flipside, in the United States
1968 - Capitol Records releases Steve Miller's debut single "Sitting In Circles" with "Roll With It" on the flipside
45 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Buck Owens records the track "I'll Still Be Waiting For You" for Capitol Records
15 Years Ago Today In 2001 - John Phillips, singer, songwriter, founding member of the Capitol Records vocal group The Journeymen and the group The Mamas & The Papas, father of motion picture and television actress Mackenzie Phillips and singer, television actress and founding member of the SKG Records group Wilson Phillips Chynna Phillips, dies of heart failure in Los Angeles, California at age 65

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1959 - Capitol Records parent company EMI announces that it has now stopped all production of 78 rpm discs in the U.K.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
130 Years Ago Today In 1886 - Edward Everett Horton, motion picture actor and television cartoon voice actor, is born in Brooklyn, New York

MARCH 17, 2016

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1919 - Nat "King" Cole, pianist, singer, bandleader, motion picture actor, radio and television variety show host, father of Capitol Records artist Natalie Cole as well as Carole Cole, Nat Kelly Cole, and twins Casey and Timolin Cole, husband of Capitol Records artist Maria Ellington Cole, and Capitol Records artist as part of The King Cole Trio and as a solo artist, is born (according to census data) Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama.
1932 - Dick Curless, singer, songwriter, and Capitol Records artist, is born Richard William Curless in Fort Fairfield, Maine
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Kurt Russell, television and motion picture actor, baseball player, and Capitol Records artist (1970-1971), is born Kurt Vogel Russell in Springfield, Massachusetts.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Violinist Nathan Milstein records Johann Sebastian Bach's "Sonata N° 3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin: Allegro Assai" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Milstein's 3 LP set "BACH - Sonatas and Partitas For Violin" (PCR-8370).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Vocalist Ron Husmann, with unlisted others, records the titles "My Sweetie Went Away", "Where Do I Go From Here?", "For All We Know", "Oh, Lady Be Good", and "Blue Prelude" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Husmann's album "This Is Ron Husmann" (T 1624).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Carmen Dragon conducts The Capitol Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise Op. 34 N° 14", Victor Herbert's "Toyland (March Of The Toys) (Babes In Toyland)", Maurice Ravel's "Pavane For A Dead Princess", and Johannes Brahms' "Lullaby (Cradle Song Op. 49 N° 4)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the orchestra's album "Nightfall" (P 8575).
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Vocalist Al Martino, with Peter De Angelis conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Husbands And Wives", "I'm Saving All My Love For You", "Adios Mexico", "You Hurt Me", and "Anita, You're Dreaming" in New York City, New York with producer Tom Morgan. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Martino's album "Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep" (T 2528).
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Oliver Nelson conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Call Me", "You've Got Your Troubles", "The Shadow Of Your Smile (Theme From 'The Sandpipers')", and "Go Away" in Los Angeles, California with producer David Cavanaugh. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Wilson's album "A Touch Of Today" (T 2459) and "Go Away" as a single (Capitol 5720) with "That Special Way" (recorded March 22, 1966) on the flipside.
1970 - John Ono Lennon's Apple Records album "Plastic Ono Band - Live Peace In Toronto", distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, becomes Lennon's first solo album to be certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
40 Years Ago Today In 1976 - Tavares (brothers Ralph [aka Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares], Pooch [aka Arthur Paul Tavares], Chubby [aka Antone Lee Tavares], Butch [aka Feliciano Vierra Tavares, Jr.], and Tiny [aka Perry Lee Tavares]), using an arrangement by Freddie Perren and Tom Sellers, records the titles "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Part 1" and "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Part 2" in Los Angeles, California with Freddie Perren also producing. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 4270).
40 Years Ago Today In 1976 - Vocalist and piano and keyboard player Tom Snow, with Jorge Calderon and Kerry Chater on backing vocals, Bob Glaub on bass, Jim Gordon on drums, Waddy Wachtel on slide guitar, Fred Tackett on acoustic and electric guitars, using a string arrangement by David Campbell, records the titles "Learning To Love You" and "Here's Hoping" in Los Angeles, California with producer Michael J. Jackson. Capitol Records will issue "Here's Hoping" on Snow's eponymous album "Tom Snow" (ST-11545). No issuing information is listed for "Learning To Love You".
30 Years Ago Today In 1986 - The Boogie Boys (lineup unlisted) record the title "Share My World" at a unlisted location. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Survival Of The Freshest" (ST-12488) and a edited version as a single (Capitol 5649) with a edited version of "Run It" (recorded on April 14, 1986) on the flipside.
30 Years Ago Today In 1986 - Vocalist Tina Turner, with unlisted others, records the title "Afterglow" in Europe. Capitol Records will issue the title on the CD release of Turner's album "Break Every Rule" (7-46323-2).
1987 - Anne Murray's Capitol Records album "Country" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
25 Years Ago Today In 1991 - The Smithereens (lineup unlisted) record the titles "If You Want The Sun To Shine" and "Poor Little Pitiful One" at a unlisted location. Capitol Records will issue "If You Want The Sun To Shine" on the group's album "Blow Up" (C1-94963 on vinyl and C2-94963 on CD) and "Poor Little Pitful One" on the compilation CD "Attack Of The Smithereens" (CDB 7243 8 32247 2 2).
5 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Ferlin Husky, singer and Capitol Records artist as both himself and as Terry Preston and Simon Crum, dies at age 85 at a Nashville-area hospital.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1962 - Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Young World", with "Summertime" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1967 - Billy Corgan, singer, guitarist, songwriter, son of guitarist William Patrick Corgan, Sr., and member of the Virgin Records America group Smashing Pumpkins, is born William Patrick Corgan, Jr. in Elk Grove, Illinois
1979 - Blondie's Chrysalis Records single "Heart Of Glass" with "11:59" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles. Chrysalis' catalog used to be controlled by EMI Music Group and is currently controlled by Warner Music Group.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1895 - Shemp Howard, Vaudeville, Broadway and motion picture actor and original member of Ted Healy and His Stooges, who after a fairly successful solo career will rejoin the group, now known as The Three Stooges, after his successor and brother Jerome Horowitz (aka "Curly" Howard) suffers a stroke, is born Samuel Horwitz in Brooklyn, New York
100 Years Ago Today 1916 - Ray Ellington (aka Ray Brown), singer, drummer, songwriter, and radio actor as part of the BBC Radio show "The Goon Show", is born in Kennington, London, England
80 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Future Capitol Records artist Joe DiMaggio plays his first game with the New York Yankees

MARCH 16, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
90 Years Ago Today In 1926 - Jerry Lewis, singer, comedian, radio, motion picture and televison actor, writer, director and producer, fundraiser and telethon host, son of vaudeville performer Danny Lewis, and father of Liberty Records artist Gary Lewis, and a Capitol Records artist as part of the Martin and Lewis duo and as a solo artist, is born Joseph Levitch
1933 - Jay Ranellucci, recording engineer for Capitol Records from 1957 to 2007, is born Julio Francis Ranellucci. He will start his career in Korea with Armed Forces Radio as a radio broadcast specialist. On leaving the service in 1955, he'll work at Radio Recorders in Los Angeles until he starts at Capitol Records in 1957 where he'll work as a recording engineer until his retirement in 2007 - a remarkable 50- year career - working with such music/entertainment greats as Nat Cole, Julie London, Peggy Lee, the Kingston Trio, the Beach Boys, Stan Kenton, Stan Freberg, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hoyt Axton, Jo Stafford, Bobby Darin, Bing Crosby, Nancy Wilson, Merle Haggard, The Band, and many others. He'll also be a lifelong fan of old-time radio, both drama and comedy, and had a tremendous memory for actors names and associated time periods, as well as the associated trivia of the genre.
1954 - Nancy Wilson, guitarist, songwriter and singer with the Capitol Records group Heart, is born Nancy Lamoureux Wilson in San Francisco, California

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - The Serge Chaloff Quartet (Serge Chaloff on baritone saxophone, Sonny Clark on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, Philly Joe Jones on drums) records the titles "All The Things You Are", "Stairway To The Stars", and "How About You" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles on Chaloff's album "Blue Serge" (T 742) and all three titles on the CD release of the album (4-94505-2).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Jo Stafford, with Paul Weston conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) using his own arrangements, records the titles "Poor Wayfaring Stranger", "Black Is The Color", "Red Rosey Bush", and "Barbara Allen" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Stafford's album "Jo Stafford Sings American Folk Songs" (T1653).

1965 - Capitol Records releases Tommy Collins' last recording for the label "All The Monkeys Ain't In The Zoo" as a single (Capitol 5345) with "Don't Let Me Stand In His Footsteps".

1975 - T-Bone Walker (born Aaron Thibeaux Walker), guitarist and Columbia, Capitol, Imperial, and Black & White Records artist, dies of pneumonia at age 64 in Los Angeles, California and is later interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1892 - James C. Petrillo, head of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) who forced two recording bans in the first 4 years of Capitol Records history in order to win better pay and benefits for his union's members and to secure their jobs in the marketplace, is born in Chicago, Illinois
1957 - Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "I'm Walkin'", with "I'm In The Mood For Love" on the flip side, hits #1 on the U.S. R&B charts where it will stay for 21 straight weeks
1959 - Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "It's Late", with "Never Be Anyone Else But You" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
25 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Roxette's EMI America Records single "Joyride", with "Come Back (Before You Leave)" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles charts where it will peak at #1 for one week on May 11, 1991

MARCH 15, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
100 Years Ago Today In 1916 - Harry James, trumpet player, singer, bandleader, motion picture actor, one-time husband of actress Betty Grable, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Harry Haag James in Albany, Georgia
1941 - Mike Love, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys, is born Michael Edward Love in Baldwin Hills, California
1962 - Bret Michaels, lead vocalist of the Capitol Records group Poison, is born Bret Michael Sychak in Butler, Pennsylvania

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1945 - The King Cole Trio's first Capitol Records album, "The King Cole Trio", is the first #1 album on Billboard Magazine's new top selling record albums chart
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - The King Cole Trio (Nat "King" Cole on piano and vocals, Oscar Moore on guitar, and Johnny Miller on bass) record the titles "I'm In The Mood For Love", two takes of "I Don't Know Why", "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66", and "Everyone Is Saying 'Hello' Again (Why Must We Say Goodbye)" at Radio Recorders' studios on Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first title and the final take of the second title on the trio's album "King Cole Trio Volume 2" (BD-29) and the last two titles together as a single (Capitol 256). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles and the alternate take of "I Don't Know Why" in the box set "The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio" (MR27-138 on vinyl and MD18-138 on CD).
1952 - Kay Starr's Capitol Records single "Wheel of Fortune" is still #1 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
1954 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Answer Me, My Love" is #4 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
1964 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "She Loves You", with "I'll Get You" on the flipside is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1969 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Galveston", with "How Come Every Time I Itch I End Up Scratching You" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1970 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "It’s Just A Matter of Time", with "This World Of Ours" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart
1980 - Dr. Hook's Capitol Records single "Sexy Eyes", with "Help Me Mama" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
30 Years Ago Today in 1986 - Heart's Capitol Records single "These Dreams", with "Shell Shock" on the flipside, is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
2004 - Capitol Records artists Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, as well as Apple, Capitol, Zapple, and Dark Horse Records artist George Harrison, are inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame at a ceremony at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1907 - Jimmy McPartland, cornetist, trumpet player, actor, bandleader, and husband of pianist and Capitol Records artist Marian McPartland, is born in Chicago, Illinois
1932 - Arif Mardin, arranger, record producer for Atlantic, Manhattan and Blue Note Records, is born in Istanbul, Turkey
1944 - David Costell, original bass player with the Liberty Records group Gary Lewis & The Playboys, is born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
1959 - The Broadway musical "No Strings" opens at the 54th Street Theatre in New York City, New York starring Richard Kiley and Diahann Carroll as well as the show's composer, Richard Rodgers, singing his own lyrics. Capitol Records will later release the original Broadway cast album.
1959 - Lester Young (aka "Prez", born Willis Lester Young), saxophone and clarinet player, with the Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, and Andy Kirk bands, gave Billie Holiday the nickname "Lady Day", and Aladdin, Savoy, Blue Note and Verve Records solo artist, dies in the early morning at age 49 from liver disease and malnutrition in New York City, New York after recently returning from a short tour in Paris, France

MARCH 14, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1912 - Les Brown, bandleader and Capitol Records artist, is born Lester Raymond Brown in Reinerton, Pennsylvania
1922 - Les Baxter, singer, arranger, song and score writer, bandleader, member of Mel Torme's back up group The Mel-Tones, and Capitol Records artist, is born in Mexia, Texas

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Stan Kenton and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Shoo-Fly Pie (And Apple Pan Dowdy)", with "I Been Down In Texas" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Pianist Lyle "Skitch" Henderson and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), using arrangements by Henderson, record the titles "Swan Lake", "Rhapsody", and "Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Swan Lake" as a single (Capitol 255) with "Cynthia's In Love" (recorded March 21, 1946) on the flipside. The last two titles have yet to be issued.
1947 - Andy Russell (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Anniversary Song", with "My Best To You" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart

65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Mel Blanc records vocal tracks adapted by Alan Livingston from a script written by Ted Pierce and Warren Foster in Los Angeles, California over music tracks written by Billy May and recorded by May directing the orchestra (Mannie Klein, Uan Rasey, and Rubin "Zeke" Zarchy on trumpets, Ed Kusby and James Priddy on trombones, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Jules Kinsler, Gordon Green, Fred Falensby, and John Hacker on saxophones, Don Ferris on piano, George Boujie on bass, Lou Singer on drums, Ann Mason Stockton on harp and a string section with Ivan Eppinoff, Mischa Russell, and Felix Slatkin on violins, Paul Robyn on viola, and Eleanor Slatkin on cello) the day before on March 13, 1951 for the title "Tweety's Puddy Tat Twouble". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title in four parts on the Bozo Approved Record-Reader children's album "Tweety's Puddy Tat Twouble" (DBX-3102).60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - The Serge Chaloff Quartet (Serge Chaloff on baritone saxophone, Sonny Clark on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums), record the titles "I've Got The World On A String", "Thanks For The Memory", "The Goof And I", "Susie's Blues", and "A Handful Of Stars" in The Capitol Towers Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Chaloff's album "Blue Serge" (T 742).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Vocalist and pianist Merrill Moore, with Cliffie Stone's Orchestra (Jimmy Bryant on electric guitar, a unlisted guitarist, Roy Lanham on rhythm guitar, "Speedy" West on steel guitar, Morty Corb on bass, and Roy Harte on drums), records the titles "Rock Island Line" and "King Porter Stomp" in Studio A of The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3397).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - The Jumping Jacks (Jack Marshall on guitar and Frank Carlson on drums), using Marshall's arrangement, records the title "Lady, Play Your Mandolin" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 3415) with "About A Quarter To Nine" (recorded March 5, 1956) on the flipside.

1958 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' second single "Sweet Thing" with "I Only Know That I Love You" on the flipside

1964 - Billboard reports that The Beatles' Capitol Records releases currently account for 60 per cent of record sales in the United States
1969 - The Honeys sign a new contract with Capitol Records
1970 - Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "All I have To Do Is Dream" with "Less Of Me" on the flipside, enters the U.S. Country singles charts
1989 - Donny Osmond signs with Capitol Records. I met Donny a couple of years earlier at the listening party for Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers' "Conscious Party" album at Virgin Records offices in Beverly Hills. He and I were the only two not drinking alcohol or smoking (anything).
2000 - Tommy Collins, singer, songwriter, 1999 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, and Capitol Records artist, dies in Ashland City, Tennessee

MARCH 13, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1919 - Dave Cavanaugh (aka "Big Dave" Cavanaugh), tenor saxophonist, bass player, pianist, songwriter, arranger, conductor, session musician with Capitol Records artist Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends, Capitol Records A&R producer for artist such as Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dakota Stanton, and Nancy Wilson, and a Capitol Records band leader and solo artist, is born David D. Cavanaugh in Saint Paul, Minnesota. If anyone knows what Cavanaugh's middle name is, please leave a comment.
1958 - Wayne Watkins, Capitol Records employee for 18 years starting as Director of Catalog Marketing at Capitol Records then becoming National Director of Strategic Marketing and executive producer of over 200 releases from Capitol's catalog, is born

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - Ella Mae Morse (with Dick Walters and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "No Love, No Nothin'", with "Shoo Shoo Baby" on the flip side, is #4 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
1948 - Peggy Lee's Capitol Records single "Manana", co-written with her husband Dave Barbour and with "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" on the flip side, hits #1 on the U.S. Pop singles charts
1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Eight Days a Week" with "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" on the flipside, hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, the first time one of their singles hits #1 in the U.S. but not in the U.K.
1967 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' single "Sam's Place" with "Don't Ever Tell Me Goodbye" on the flip side
45 Years Ago Today in 1971 - Paul McCartney's Apple Records single "Another Day", with "Oh Woman, Oh Why" on the flipside and distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
40 Years Ago Today In 1976 - The Sylvers' Capitol Recors single "Boogie Fever" with "Free Style" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
40 Years Ago Today In 1976 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "The Roots of My Raising", with "The Way It Was In '51" on the flipside, is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1977 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Southern Nights" hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1987 - Capitol Records artists Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band get their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2009 - Alan Livingston, who as VP of Children's Records at Capitol Records created Bozo, Rusty, and Sparky and wrote the scripts for many of the releases, who as VP of A&R signed Frank Sinatra, who as head of programming at NBC greenlit Bonanza, and who as president of Capitol Records signed The Beach Boys, eventually signed The Beatles, as well as The Steve Miller Band and The Band, has died of age-related causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California at age 91. A private service for family members will be held.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1959 - Ronnie Rogers, guitarist with the Virgin Records America group T'Pau, is born in Nashville, Tennessee. I adapted their U.K. album art for the U.S. as well as designing packaging for their promotional singles as one of the first projects I did for Jeff Ayeroff at Virgin Records America. I also attended their first show at The Roxy in Los Angeles in 1987 with my friend Ron Gidseg and got to talk to them after the show back stage in the upstairs dressing room.
10 Years Ago Today In 2006 - Chrysalis Records band Blondie and EMI/Virgin Records band The Sex Pistols are inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame at a ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, New York. The Sex Pistols decide not to attend and let the world know why on their website.

MARCH 12, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1912 - Paul Weston, arranger, first musical director at Capitol Records, radio, television and record orchestra leader, husband of Capitol Records artist Jo Stafford, founding member and first president of the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.), and a Capitol Records solo artist, is born Paul Wetstein in Springfield, Massachusetts
95 Years Ago Today In 1921 - Gordon MacRae, Broadway and motion picture actor, singer, husband of Capitol Records artist Sheila MacRae and a Capitol Records solo artist and duet artist with Jo Stafford and Margaret Whiting, is born in East Orange, New Jersey
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Liza Minnelli, singer, Broadway and Motion Picture actress, daughter of M-G-M picture director Vincent Minellia and actress and Captiol Records artist Judy Garland, and a Capitol Records solo artist, is born Liza May Minnelli in Los Angeles, California
1948 - James Taylor, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Apple Records artist whose self-titled debut album was distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, is born in Boston, Massachusetts
1957 - Steve Harris, bassist, songwriter and founder of the Capitol and EMI America Records group Iron Maiden, is born in Leytonstone, London, England

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Vocalists Jo Stafford and birthday boy Gordon MacRae, with Bill Loose and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "Nights Of Splendor", a yet to be issued take of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", "When It's Springtime In The Rockies", and a yet to be issued take of the title "Let The Rest Of Go By" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will the first and third titles together as a single (Capitol 1523).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The George Shearing Quintet (Johnny Rae on vibraphones, George Shearing on piano, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass, Armando Peraza congas, Tony Martinez on Latin percussion, and Chico Guerrero on timbales), record a remakes of the title "Canto Karabali (Jungle Drums)" and "Mi Musica Es Para Ti (My Music Is For You)" as will as the titles "Anitra's Dance (released as 'Anitra's Nanigo') and "Without You (Tres Palabras)" at the first session between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM and the titles "That Old Devil Moon", "Cuban Love Song", and a as yet to be issud take of the title "You Must Remember (As Time Goes By)" at the second session between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles except the last on the quintet's album "Latin Escapade" (T 737).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - The Milt Buckner Quartet (collective personnel - Milt Buckner on organ, Skeeter Best, Everett Barksdale, and Mickey Baker on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass, and Osie Johnson and Shadow Wilson on drums) records the as yet to be issued take of the title "Danny's Tune" and the titles "Jumpin' At The Woodside" with Buckner also on piano, "Blue And Sentimental", and "Mighty Low" in New York City, New York between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM), Capitol Records will issue the last three titles on the quartet's album "Rockin' Hammond" (T 722).
1962 - Tennessee Ernie Ford's Capitol Records album "Star Carol" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
1967 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Penny Lane" with "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1967 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "The Fugitive", with "Someone Told My Story" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1969 - Parlophone, Capitol and Apple Records artist Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman at the Marylebone Registry Office in London, England
45 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Capitol Records releases John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band's Apple Records single "Power To The People", with Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band's "Touch Me" on the flipside, in the United States

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1955 - Charlie Parker (aka Yardbird and Bird), tenor saxophonist and Blue Note (1953) and Roulette Records (1954) artist, dies of a bleeding ulcer and pneumonia at the age of 34, after a lifetime of heroin and alcohol abuse, while watching Tommy Dorsey on television in the suite at the Stanhope Hotel of his long time friend, Baroness Nina de Koenigswater. The coroner mistakenly estimated Parker's age to be between 50 and 60. Parker is one of the artists featured on the mural on the side of The Capitol Tower in Hollywood, California
1974 - Harry Nilsson and John Lennon are ejected from Doug Weston's Troubador Club in Los Angeles for heckling Tom Smothers' comedy act