FEBRUARY 26, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1916 - Jackie Gleason, a comedian, motion picture, radio and television actor, composer, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Herbert John Gleason in Brooklyn, New York
1921 - Betty Hutton, a singer, Broadway and motion picture actress brought to Hollywood by Capitol Records co-founder Buddy DeSylva, sister of Glenn Miller Orchestra vocalist Marion Hutton, one-time wife of Capitol Records artist and trumpeter Pete Condoli and later Capitol Records executive Alan Livingston, a Capitol Records solo artist, and a teacher, is born Elizabeth Thornburg in Battle Creek, Michigan

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1937 - Pianist Jean Françaix records his "Concertino For Piano And Orchestra" in two parts with The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (lineup unlisted), conducted by Leo Borchard, in Berlin, Germany for Telefunken Records. After licensing the masters in 1948, Capitol Records will issue both parts in the United States on Françaix's album "Concertino For Piano And Orchestra/Serenade For Twelve Instruments" (L-8051). Capitol Records' classical catalog is now owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Classics.
75 Years Ago Today In 1943 - Guitarist Django Reinhardt with Le Quintette Du Hot Club De France (Gérard Lévêque on clarinet, Eugène Vées on rhythm guitar, Jean Storne on bass, and Gaston Léonard on drums but without André Lluis also on clarinet), records the title "Fleur D'Ennui" then, also without Gérard Lévêque on clarinet, the title "Blues Clair" in Paris, France for the Swing label. After EMI licenses the masters, Capitol Records will issue "Fleur D'Ennui" on the album "Django Reinhardt & The Hot Club Of France" (T 10361) and Blue Note Records will issue "Blues Clair" on the CD "The Best Of Django Reinhardt" (8-37138-2).
1946 - Guitarist Alvino Rey and His Orchestra (Chuck Peterson, Jake Gerheim, Russ Granger, and Frank Nelson on trumpets, Sam Levine, Bob McReynolds, and Bob Swift on trombones, Bob Walsh and Hal McKusick on alto saxophones, Herbie Steward on tenor saxophone, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, Rocky Coluccio on piano and vocals, Jim Bates on bass, and Ben Weber on drums) record the titles "Cheek To Cheek", "Sepulvada", and a rejected take of the title "Should I?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Cheek To Cheek" as a single (Capitol 57-644) with "Strummin' On The Old Banjo" (recorded May 5, 1949) on the flipside, and "Sepulveda" as a single (Capitol 262) with "Bumble Boogie" (recorded April 15, 1946) on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - The King Cole Trio starts its first three-week engagement in months when they open at The Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois doing five shows a day on weekdays and six shows a day on weekends. Yvonne DeCarlo opens the show with singing and dancing in front of Carl Sands and His Orchestra, then comedian Jack Leonard does a stand-up bit, then the show ends with The King Cole Trio. Here's a review from the March 6, 1948 issue of The Billboard magazine.
1951 - The Oklahoma Sweethearts (vocalists Jean Anderson and Edna Leeper), with an unidentified combo, record the titles "Somewhere In Old Wyoming", "Little Miss Mischief", "Don't Steal Daddy's Medal", and "Call Me Sweetheart" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 1455) and the last two titles together as a single (Capitol 1564).
1952 - Pianist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Clyde Raesinger, Conte Candoli, Ruben McFall, and Jack Millman on trumpet, Bill Russo, Harold Branch, Gerald Finch, and Bob Fitzpatrick on trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Dick Meldonian and Lennie Niehaus on alto saxophone, Bill Holman and Lee Elliott on tenor saxophone, Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone, Ralph Blaze on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, and Frank Capp on drums) record the titles "Don't Worry 'Bout Me", and "Yes" with vocalist Jerri Winters, and "Mambo Rhapsody (Mambo On My Mind)" with the addition of Mike Pacheco on percussion in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM, Capitol Records will issue "Yes" and "Mambo Rhapsody (Mambo On My Mind) together as a single (Capitol 2020) and Classics will issue all the titles in France on the CD "The Chronological Stan Kenton 1951-1952" (1428).
1952 - Vocalist Mel Blanc, with Franklyn Marks, records the titles "Lord Bless His Soul", "Morris" and "Grandfather's Will" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Lord Bless His Soul" and "Morris" together as a single (Capitol 2048) and on Blanc's album "Party Panic" (H-436). Collectors' Choice Music will issue "Morris" and "Grandfather's Will" on the CD "Mel Blanc - Man Of 1000 Voices" (CCM 593-2).
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Violinist Nathan Milstein, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted), records parts of Vivaldi's "Concerto In D Major" in New York City, New York. Angel Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, will issue the full piece on the album "VIVALDI - Concerto In D Major/Concerto In A Major" (S-36004).
1955 - Capitol Records duo The Louvin Brothers joins the Grand Ole Opry
1955 - Capitol Records releases Faron Young's single "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young", with "Forgive Me My Dear" on the flipside.
1956 - During two sessions that take place today on Stage 7 at the Samuel Goldwyn Studio at 1041 North Formosa Avenue in West Hollywood, California, Carmen Dragon conducts The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they records Lara's "Granada" and De Campo's "Las Chiapanecas" at the first session and Delibes' "The Maids Of Cadiz", Monterde's "La Virgen De La Macarena", and Granados' "Andaluza Seraphim" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the orchestra's album "Fiesta!" (P-8335).
1957 - Vocalists Beryl Davis, Connie Haines, and Jane Russell, with Van Alexander conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Vaya Con Dios", "He Was There", and "Lonesome Valley" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the trio's album "The Magic Of Believing" (T 822).
1957 - Vocalist and guitarist Sonny James, with Bob Bain and Alvis "Buck" Owens on guitar, Rolly Bundock on bass, and Roy Harte on drums, records the titles "First Date, First Kiss, First Love" and "Speak To Me" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3674) and on James' album self-titled EP "Sonny James" (EAP -1-861).
1957 - Trombonist Pee Wee Hunt, with Andy Bartha on clarinet, Leo Kaminsky on clarinet, Joe Hall on piano, Hy White on guitar, Gene Dragoo on bass, and Cody Sandifer on drums using arrangements by Van Alexander and Dave Cavanaugh, records the titles "Dixie By Drigo ('Drigo's Serenade' from Drigo's 'Harlequin's Millions'Tauber's )", "Creepin' Can Can ('Gaité Parisienne' from Offenbach's 'Orphée Aux Enfers')", and "Oh! Martha! Oh! ('M'appari' from Von Flotow's 'Martha')" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Hunt's album "The Classics A La Dixie" (T 846).
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - The George Shearing Quintet (Emil Richards on vibraphones, George Shearing on piano, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass, and Percy Brice on drums) with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to His Orchestra (Vincent De Rosa on French horn, Arthur Gleghorn on flute, Wilbur Schwartz and Jules Jacob on clarinets, Victor Garber on basson, Verlye Mills on harp and a string section with Jacques Gasselin, Ben Gill, Murray Kellner, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Eudice Shapiro, and Marshall Sosson on violins, Paul Robyn, David Sterkin, and Virginia Majewski on viola, and Armand Kaproff, Raphael Kramer, and Edgar Lustgarten on cellos), records the titles "Young And Foolish", "I'm Gonna Laugh You", "My One And Only", and a new take of the title "Nina Never Knew" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Blue Chiffon" (T/ST 1124) as by The George Shearing Quintet And Orchestra.

60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Leopold Stokowski conducts His Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Gluck's "Reigen Seliger Geister (Dance Of The Blessed Spirits) (from 'Orfeo & Euridice')" and Bach's "Air For The G String (From 'Suite N° 3 In D')" at The Riverside Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Stokowski's album "The String Orchestra" (P/SP-8458).

1962 - Pianist Cy Coleman, with unlisted bass and drums players and voices, records the titles "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "Night Of My Nights", "The Best Thing For You", "Luck Be A Lady Tonight", and "Bewitched" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "Bewitched" which it has yet to issue, on Coleman's album "Broadway Pianorama" (T/ST 1740).

55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Skip To My Lou" is #12 on the Top 20 in Denmark.

1966 - Vocalist Al Martino, with Belford Hendricks conducting his own arrangements to unlisted musicians, records the title "Wiederseh'n", a as yet unissued take of the titles "I Wanted Someone To Love", and the titles "The Minute You're Gone", "Crying Time", and "Together Again" in New York City, New York with producer Tom Morgan. Capitol Records will issue "Wiederseh'n" and "The Minute You're Gone" together as a single (Capitol 5652) and all the titles, except "I Wanted Someone To Love" on Martino's album "Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep" (T 2528).

1966 - During two sessions held on this day in Los Angeles, California, conductor Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) record the titles "She's Too Far Above Me", "I Enjoy Being A Girl", and a as yet unissued take of the title "Do I Hear A Waltz?" at the first session and the titles "Hello, Dolly", "My Kind Of Town", and "Everybody Has The Right To Be Wrong" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue the first, second, fourth and last titles on Lombardo's album "Lombardo's Hideaway" (T 2559) and "My Kind Of Town" on Lombardo's album "Wonderful Year" (T 2481).
1967 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive", with "Someone Told My Story" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Stained Glass (lineup unlisted) records a new take of the title "Lady In Lace" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue this take as a single (Capitol 2178) with "Soap And Turkey" (recorded January 31, 1968) on the flipside.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Bobby Sheen, with Ray Jackson directing his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Don't Pass Me By" and "She Taught Me What Love Really Is" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue "Don't Pass Me By" and will issue "She Taught Me What Love Really Is" as a single (Capitol 2507) with "I Don't Have To Dream" (recorded March 1, 1968) on the flipside.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Teddy Neeley, with unlisted others, records the titles "One More Tear" and "One More Mountain" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "One More Tear" as a single (Capitol 2159) with "Autumn Afternoon" (recorded by the Ted Neeley Five on October 18, 1966) on the flipside and has yet to issue "One More Mountain".

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - The Band (Garth Hudson on piano, organ, and vocals, Richard Manuel on piano, organ, guitar, bass, and vocals, Jaime Robbie Robertson on guitar and vocals, Rick Danko on bass and vocals, and Levon Helm on drums and vocals) record the titles "Long Black Veil" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue this take of the song. The Band will record a new take of "Long Black Veil" on March 28, 1968 in New York City, New York which Capitol Records will issue on the group's album "Music From Big Pink" (SKAO 2955).

1970 - The Beatles' Capitol Records album "Hey Jude", composed of tracks not previously released on albums in the United States, is released by Capitol Records
1971 - Vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, recorded the titles "A Song For You", "Crazy Love", and "How Can I Be Sure" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs for "A Song For You" and "How Can I Be Sure" are recorded on March 3 and March 27, 1971 and for "Crazy Love" on March 8, March 27, and June 17, 1971, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Reddy's album "I Don't Know How To Love Him" (ST-762).
1972 - Vocalist and guitarist Freddie King, with John Gallie or Leon Russell on piano, Don Preston on guitar, Carl Radle on electric bass, Chuck Blackwell and Jim Gordon on drums, starts two straight days of recordings at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee recording the titles "Lowdown In Lodi", "I'd Rather Be Blind", "My And My Guitar", "Reconsider Baby", "Big Legged Woman", "Something You Got", "Ain't No Big Deal On You", and "I Just Want To Make Love To You". Shelter Records, at the time distributed by Capitol Records will issue  "Lowdown In Lodi", "I'd Rather Be Blind", "My And My Guitar", and "Reconsider Baby" on King's self-titled album "Freddie King" (SW-8913) and all the titles on the CD compilation "The Best Of Freddie King - The Shelter Records Years" (8-34972-2).
45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Billy May conducts The Time-Life Orchestra (full lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" featuring Ray Sherman on piano, "Cotton Candy" featuring John Best on trumpet, "Little Boat (O Barquinho)", "Midnight In Moscow" featuring John Best on trumpet and Joe Howard on trombone, and "Moonlight In Vermont" featuring Don Raffell on tenor saxophone and Bob Bain on guitar in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Time-Life Records will issue all the titles, except "Cotton Candy", in the three-LP set "Volume 6 - Billy May" (STL 246) as part of its "As You Remember Them" series. After overdubs are recorded in the same session for "Cotton Candy", Time-Life Records will issue that title in the three-LP set "Volume 8 - Billy May" (STL 248) as part of the same series.
1977 - Natalie Cole's Capitol Records single "I've Got Love On My Mind", with "Unpredictable You" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
40 Years Ago Today In 1978 - The Pousette-Dart Band (lineup unlisted) records the title "Lord Song" in an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on the band's album "Pousette-Dart Band 3" (SW-11781).
1981 - The Whites (vocalist and mandolin player Buck White and his daughters, vocalists Sharon White and Cheryl White), with unlisted others, record the title "West Virginia Memories" in Nashville, Tennessee with producers Ricky Skaggs and Neil Wilburn. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5004) with "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" (recorded June 3, 1980) on the flipside.
1985 - Tina Turner wins Grammys for her Capitol Records singles "What's Love Got to Do with It" and "Better Be Good to Me"
1986 - Vocalist Marie Osmond, with unlisted others, records the title "New Love" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5613) with "You're Still New To Me" (recorded February 18, 1986) on the flipside and on Osmond's album "I Only Wanted You" (ST-12516).
1987 - Vocalist Martha Davis, with unlisted others, records the titles "Rebecca", "Bridge Of Sighs", and "Don't Ask Out Loud". Capitol Records will issue "Rebecca" as a single (Capitol 44105), "Bridge Of Sighs" as a single (Capitol 44114), and has yet to issue "Don't Ask Out Loud".
1987 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles first four Parlophone albums on CD for the first time in the United States
1997 - At the 39th annual Grammy Awards held in New York City, The Beatles win Grammys for Best Pop Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocal for their Apple Records track "Free As A Bird", Best Music Video, Short Form for the video to "Free As A Bird", and Best Music Video, Long Form for "The Beatles Anthology", all of which were released by Capitol Records/Video in the United States
10 Years Ago Today In 2008 - Buddy Miles (born George Allen Miles), drummer, singer, songwriter, voice actor, and member of the Capitol Records group Band of Gypsys, dies of congestive heart failure at the age of 60 at his home in Austin, Texas. More information can be found at his website at http://www.buddymiles.com/.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
90 Years Ago Today In 1928 - Fats Domino, pianist, singer, songwriter, and Imperial Records artist, is born Antoine Domino, Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana
1932 - Johnny Cash, singer, songwriter, guitarist, motion picture and television actor, television variety show host, and father of Capitol Records artist Roseanne Cash, is born in Kingsland, Arkansas
1945 - Bob "The Bear" Hite, vocalist with the Liberty Records group "Canned Heat" is born in Torrance, California
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Organist Jimmy Smith, with Eddie McFadden on guitar and Donald Bailey on drums, records the titles "Fuguing The Blues and "Ham And Eggs" then, with Kenny Burrell replacing McFadden on guitar and Philly Joe Jones replacing Bailey on drums, the titles "It Could Happen To You", "Hackensack", "These Foolish Things", and "Sometimes I'm Happy" then, with McFadden replacing Burrell on guitar and Bailey replacing Jones on drums, the titles "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Home Cookin' (aka Ode To Philly Joe)", "September Song", and new takes of "Ham And Eggs" and "Fugueing The Blues" in the Manhattan Tower studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue "It Could Happen To You", "Hackensack", "These Foolish Things", "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Home Cookin' (aka Ode To Philly Joe)" on Smith's album "Softly As A Summer Breeze" (BLP4200/BST 84200) and rejects the other titles and takes.
1964 - Vee-Jay Records releases the album "Jolly What! Beatles and Frank Ifield"
1982 - RPM (lineup unlisted) records the titles "A Legend Never Dies", "Video Games", "I Don't Feel The Same", "Rendezvous", "Envy", "You", "Firestarter", "Don't Make It Hard", "2 + 2", and "I'm A Wreck". EMI America Records will issue "Rendezvous" and "I'm A Wreck" together as a single (EMI-America 8125). No issuing information is listed for the other titles.
1989 - Roy Eldridge, trumpet player and Blue Note Records artist, dies in Valley Stream, Long Island, New York at age 78