APRIL 12, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1908, 1913, or 1914 - Some sources give this as the birthdate of Lionel Hampton, drummer, band leader, vibraphone player, percussionist, solo artist and with Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, but the majority say that Lionel Leo Hampton was born April 20, 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment.
1918 - Helen Forrest, singer with the bands of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, and a Capitol Records solo artist (1955, with the album "Voice Of The Name Bands"), is born Helen Fogel in Atlantic City, New Jersey
1967 - Mellow Man Ace, rapper, songwriter, brother of Sen Dog of the group Cypress Hill, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Ulpiano Sergio Reyes in Pinar del Rio, Cuba

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Voice artist Pinto Colvig, with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to his orchestra (Emmanuel "Mannie" Klein, Uan Rasey, and Leonard Mach on trumpet, Elmer Smithers and James Skiles on trombones, J.A. Krechter, Harry Schuchman, Victor Garber, and Vincent Spolidoro on saxophones, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Phil Stephens on bass, John Cyr on drums, and a string section with Mischa Russell, Harry Bluestone, and Samuel Freed on violins, Paul Robyn on viola, Cy Bernard on cello) and using a script by Bozo's creator Alan Livingston, records the titles "Bozo At The Circus: Part 3" and "Bozo At The Circus: Part 4" at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles as part of the label's first Record Reader album (also created by Alan Livingston) "Bozo At The Circus" (BBX-34).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Pianist Lou Busch as Joe "Fingers" Carr and His Ragtime Band (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Entertainer's Rag", "Black And White Rag", and "Maple Leaf Rag" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Carr's album "Mister Ragtime" (T 760).
1963 - Dick Dale signs with Capitol Records
45 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens single "Ruby (Are You Mad)", which will peak at #3 on December 4, 1971, with "Heartbreak Mountain" on the flip side
1989 - Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) releases Garth Brooks' album "Garth Brooks"
1998 - James B. Conkling, one time VP at Capitol Records, who went on to be president of Columbia Records, co-founder of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, helped launch and was first president of Warner Bros. Records, married Donna King (member of the Capitol Records group The King Sisters), father of actress Xandra Conkling (aka Donna Alexandra Conkling) and actor and screenwriter Chris Conkling, dies at Sutter Oaks Alzheimer's Hospital in Sacramento, California at age 83

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
50 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Jan Berry, songwriter, record producer, singer and Liberty Records artist as part of the duo Jan & Dean, crashes his white Corvette into a parked truck on Whittier Drive in Los Angeles, California, very close to a legendary “Dead Man’s Curve” that Jan & Dean had immortalized in their hit single. The young genius, with a 180 I.Q., suffered extensive brain and physical damage, and never quite fully recovered but, to the astonishment of his doctors, learned to speak, sing, walk, and perform again.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1954 - Bill Haley And His Comets' have their first session for Decca Records at the Pythian Temple in New York City, New York, where they record the track "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock"