APRIL 3, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
80 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Jimmy McGriff, organist and Sue, Veep, Solid State, Blue Note and Capitol Records artist, is born James Harrell McGriff in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1942- Wayne Newton, singer, television and motion picture actor, and Capitol Records artist, is born Carson Wayne Newton in Roanoke, Virginia
1945 - Richard Manuel, singer, composer, keyboard player for the band The Hawks and the Capitol Records group The Band, is born in Stratford, Ontario
1949 - Richard Thompson, singer, songwriter, guitarist, founding member of the group Fairport Convention, part of a duo with then wife Linda Thompson, and Capitol Records solo artist, is born in London, England
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Mel Schacher, bassist with the Capitol Records band Grand Funk Railroad, is born in Owosso, Michigan

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Tenor saxophonist Sam Donahue and his orchestra (Mitch Paul, Bill Marshall, Frank Beach, and Earl Collier on trumpets, Dick Le Fave, Tak Takvorian, Kenny Miesel, and Sid Brantley on trombones, Harry Peterson, Bill Nichol, and Paul Petrillo on alto saxophones, Max Kriseman also on tenor saxophone, George Perry on baritone saxophone, Bob Durant on piano, Louis Popp on bass, and Harold Hahn on drums) record the titles "Dinah", "Gypsy Love Song", and "Moten Swing" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will eventually issue all the titles on the album "Classics In Jazz - Sam Donahue" (T 626).
1949 - Capitol Records team Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis record the audition episode of their NBC Radio program, "The Martin And Lewis Show". Their first guest is Bob Hope. The show will run until 1952. Numerous references to Capitol Records appear on the show and one episode has them taking Burl Ives into Capitol Records' studios for a recording session.
65 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Vocalist Tex Ritter, with Paul Sells on accordion, Alan "Spud" Goodale, Merle Travis, and Wesley Tuttle on guitar, and Gene Englund on bass, records the titles "Blue Tail, The Red Fox" and "The Noise Song" at Capitol Records studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a children's record album (CAS-3100).
60 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Cornet player Bobby Hackett, with Glenn Osser conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted but included saxophone players who also were doubling on clarinet, bass clarinet, piccolo, flute, and alto flute, as well as piano, celeste, guitar, bass, and drum players), records the titles "When I'm With You", "You Are Too Beautiful", "Moonlight Becomes You", and "Two Cigarettes In The Dark" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Hackett's album "Rendezvous With Bobby Hackett" (T 719).
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Vocalist Nat "King" Cole, with Ralph Carmichael directing the orchestra (Curtis "King Curtis" Ousley on tenor saxophone, Ernie Hayes on piano, John Collins, Kenny Burrell, and Everett Barksdale on electric guitars, and possibly Lee Young on drums), records new stereo versions of the titles "Send For Me", "If I May" with a unidentified vocal quartet, and "Looking Back" with a unidentified vocal chorus at Capitol Records' studios in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles in three LP set "The Nat King Cole Story" (WCL 1613).
1969 - Billy Preston signs with Apple Records and his tracks will be released by Capitol Records in the United States
1972 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens and The Buckaroos' single "Made  In Japan", with "Black Texas Dirt" on the flipside, which will eventually peak at #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
75 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Jan Berry, singer, songwriter, and member of the Liberty Records duo Jan and Dean, is born William Jan Berry in Los Angeles, California
70 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Dee Murray, bass player for the United Artists Records band The Spencer Davis Group is born in Gillingham, Kent, England
55 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Ernie K-Doe's Minit Records single "Mother-In-Law", with "Wanted, $10,000 Reward" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts. Some copies of the single have the A side mastered at 33rpm by mistake. Minit's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company Universal Group.
40 Years Ago Today In 1976 - United Artists Records releases Crystal Gayle's single "I'll Get Over You", with "High Time" on the flipside, which will eventually peak at #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
1983 - Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton's Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) single "We've Got Tonight", with Rogers' "You Are So Beautiful" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart
1990 - Sarah Vaughn, singer and Roulette Records artist, dies of lung cancer in California a week after her 66th birthday

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1985 - The famed Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood on Vine Street closed on this day, after 57 years. Many early Capitol Records celebrations and business meetings happened in its booths. Also it was the site of the founding of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. All of the furnishings were kept, including famous Booth #5 where Clark Gable proposed to Carole Lombard, until the building was condemned and torn down after the January 1994 Northridge, California earthquake.