APRIL 29, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1899 - Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, pianist, composer, bandleader, and a Capitol Records artist, is born in Washington, D.C.. Ellington would record his last popular hit "Satin Doll" for Capitol Records with producer Dave Dexter, Jr. On his 70th birthday in 1969, Ellington will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1919 - Celeste Holm, Broadway, motion picture and television actress and Capitol Records artist (original motion picture soundtrack for the movie "High Society") is born in New York City, New York
85 Years Ago Today In 1933 - Rod McKuen, singer, poet, actor, writer, Capitol and Liberty Records artist, and composer of the song "Two-Ten, Six-Eighteen" recorded by Capitol recording artists The Kingston Trio, is born Rodney Marvin McKuen in Oakland, California.
1934 - Otis Rush, guitarist and Capitol Records artist (signed in 1970), is born near Neshoba, Mississippi
1942 - Klaus Voormann, graphic designer and illustrator (cover of The Beatles' Revolver and Anthology albums), bass player with Manfred Mann, Apple Records group Plastic Ono Band, and on various George Harrison projects including "The Concert For Bangladesh", is born in Berlin, Germany
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Carnie Wilson, singer, television talk show host, daughter of Brian Wilson of the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys and Marilyn Rovell Wilson of the Capitol Records group The Honeys, and co-founder of the SBK Records group Wilson Phillips, is born in Bel Air, California
? - Rick Zaccaro, manager of sales and marketing at EMI Music, EMI Music Distribution, and EMI Music Marketing in the U.S. as well as the bass player in the band The Seventh Hour, is born

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1944 - The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "Straighten Up and Fly Right", with "I Can't See For Lookin'" on the flip side, hits #1 on the "Black" charts for the first of ten weeks, and would later cross over to the country and pop charts. The track came from the Trio's first session for Capitol Records.
1944 - Jo Stafford (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "I Love You", with "Long Ago And Far Away" on the flipside, is #10 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart
1946 - Les Baxter signs a contract with Capitol Records.
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - The King Cole Trio finish seven straight days of performances at Radio City in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1950 - Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Dearie", with "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday" on the flip side, is #11 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely's Capitol Records single "Let's Go To Church (Next Sunday)", with their track "Why Do You Say Those Things?" on the flip side, debuts at #19 and was also #2 on Billboard's Country Best Selling Singles chart

65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - Nelson Riddle signs a contract to conduct his first Sinatra session at Capitol which will be held the next day on April 30, 1953
1957 - Frank Sinatra records the tracks "Lonely Town" and "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" with arranger Gordon Jenkins
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - During a split session held in Los Angeles, California, first vocalist Tommy Sands, with Bob Bain's Music (Merrill E. Moore on piano, Bob Bain on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, and unlisted bass and drums players) record the titles "Chicken And The Hawk", "Such A Night", and "Oop Shoop" then The Jordanaires (vocalists Hugh Gordon Stoker, Hoyt H. Hawkins, and Neal Matthews, Jr.), also with (listed as probably) Bob Bain's Music, records the title "Girl In The Valley". Capitol Records will issue "Chicken And The Hawk", "Such A Night", and "Oop Shoop" on Sands' album "Sands Storm!" (EAP-1/2/3-1081 on 7" EPs and T 1081 on 12" LP) and "Girl In The Valley" as a single (Capitol 4431) with "Sit Down" (recorded April 1, 1959) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (listed as possibly Sam Noto, Jules Chaikin, Billy Catalano, Lee Katzman, and Phil Gilbert on trumpets, Bob Fitzpatrick, Archie Le Coque, Kent Larsen, Jim Amlotte, and Ken Shroyer on trombones, Lennie Niehauson alto saxophone,  Bill Robinson on alto and baritone saxophone, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophone, Steve Perlow on baritone saxophone, Red Kelly on bass, and Jerry McKenzie on drums) record the titles "In The Blue Of Evening" and "I'll Close My Eyes" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' album "On The Bandstand". The album was produced by Ken Nelson during sessions that occurred between May and September 1961 in the Capitol Studios in Hollywood and featured Owen's on guitar and vocals, Don Rich on fiddle, guitar, and vocals, Jay McDonalds on steel guitar, Kenny Pierce on electric bass and vocals and Ken Presley on drums.
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Jackie Gleason conducts His Orchestra (a large string orchestra featuring Romeo Penque on alto saxophone and flute, Bernie Leighton on piano, and unlisted others) as they record new takes of the titles "Without Love", "All This And Heaven Too", "Close Your Eyes", "You Stepped Out Of A Dream", "I Just Couldn't Take It", "More Than You Know", and "I Must Have That Man" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the new takes on Gleason's album "Jackie Gleason Presents - Rebound" (EAP-1/2/3/4-1075 on 7" EPs and W/SW-1075 on 12" LP).
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Johnny Richard conducts his own arrangements to His Orchestra (Ray Copeland, Burt Collins, Al Stewart, and John Bello on trumpets, Billy Byers, Jim Dahl, and Jimmy Cleveland on trombones, Julius Watkins on French horn, Jay McAllister on tuba, Gene Quill on alto saxophone, Frank Socolow on tenor saxophone, Bill Slapin also on tenor saxophone as well as on piccolo, Shelly Gold on bass saxophone, Bob Panecoast on piano, Chet Amsterdam on bass, Jimmy Campbell on drums, and Joe Venuto on xylophone and percusssion) as they record new takes of the titles "Theme From 'Concerto To End All Concertos' (Kentonia)", "Neolore", "This Time", and "No Moon At All" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the new takes on Richards' album "Experiments In Sound" (T/ST 981).
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #2 on WGLI 1290 AM's Good Lookers chart in Babylon, New York
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, pianist Earl Hines, with Ralph Carmichael conducting his own arrangements to His Orchestra (Al Porcino, Cappy Lewis, John Audino, Ray Triscari, and Bud Brisbois on trumpets, Gil Falco, Tommy Shepard, Dick Nash, and Lloyd Ulyate on trombones, George Roberts on bass trombone, Ted Nash and Ronnie Lang on flutes, clarinets, and alto saxophones, Justin Gordon and Buddy Collette on tenor saxohones, clarinets, and flutes, Jack Nimitz on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Leon Petties on drums) records the titles "I Want A Little Girl", "My Monday Date", "Memories Of You ", and "Thou Swell" at the first session and a new take of "Thou Swell" and the titles "I Ain't Got Nobody", "Little Girl", "After All I've Been To You", and "Rosetta" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except the first take of "Thou Swell" which remains unissued, on the album "Earl "Fatha" Hines" (T/ST 1971).
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Jerry Cole and His Spacemen (lineup unlisted) record the titles "The Strut", "The Stinger", and "Pokey" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Strut" and "Pokey" on the group's album "Outer Limits" (T/ST 2044), has yet to issue "The Stinger", and will also issue "Pokey" as a single (Capitol 5106) with "One Color Blues" (recorded November 16, 1963) on the flipside.
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Peter De Angelis conducts his own arrangements to an orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the band tracks for the titles "Painted, Tainted Rose" and, with Also Provenzano, "That's The Way It's Got To Be" in Los Angeles, California. At an unlisted later date, Al Martino will overdub vocals for both titles and Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles as a single (Capitol 5000) and on Martino's album "Painted, Tainted Rose" (T/ST 1975).
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Vocalist Al Martino, with Belford Hendricks conducting his own arrangements to an orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "I Really Don't Want To Know", "You Win Again", Bouquet Of Roses", and "If I Never Get To Heaven" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Martino's album "I Love You Because" (T/ST 1914).
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Brothers Make Two (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Autumn Lament", "Waste A Dime", and "Don't Know Why I'm Asking" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Autumn Lament" as a single (Capitol 2344) with "Don't Be Ashamed" (recorded April 30, 1968) on the flipside and has yet to issue "Waste A Dime" and "Don't Know Why I'm Asking".
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Tony Sandler and Ralph Young, with Bob Bain conducting his own arrangments to an orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", and "O Holy Night" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded for "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" on May 24, 1968 and for "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "O Holy Night" on May 27, 1968, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Sandler and Young's album "Christmas World" (ST 2967) and will also issue "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" as a single (Capitol 2333) with "Mister Santa" (recorded May 3, 1968, with overdubs also recorded on May 27, 1968) on the flipside.

1974 - Wings' Apple Records album "Band On The Run", distributed by Capitol Records in the United States enters Billboard's Top 100 Albums chart
35 Years Ago Today In 1983 - Capitol Records registers the masters it acquired from EMI for John Miles' titles "Take Me To Heaven", "Song For You", "It Wasn't Love At all", "Reday To Spread Your Wings", "I'll Never Do It Again", "Heart Of Stone", "Home", "Close Eyes And Count Ten", "Carrie", "The Right To Sing" and "That's Rock 'N' Roll" which were all recorded in England and will issue all the titles in the United States on Miles' album "Play On" (ST-12292) and will also issue "Song For You" and "That's Rock 'N' Roll" together as a single (Capitol 5251).

30 Years Ago Today In 1988 - Willie Dixon, with unlisted others, records the title "I Cry For You" at an unlisted studio for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

30 Years Ago Today In 1988 - Dave Edmunds, with unlisted others, records the title "I Got Your Number" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on Edmunds' album "Closer To Fame" (C1-90372 on 12" vinyl and C2-90372 on CD).

2011 - David Mason, classical trumpet player who played the piccolo trumpet solo on The Beatles' single "Penny Lane" as well as playing trumpet on sessions for "A Day in the Life", "Magical Mystery Tour" and "All You Need Is Love", dies at age 85 after a brief battle with leukemia.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1931 - Lonnie Donegan, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and a Chrysalis Records artist, is born Anthony James Donegan in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland. Bruce Eder has written a great biography for the Memorable Music Hall of Fame on the man who invented Skiffle and influenced a generation of future British rock and blues musicians including The Beatles.
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - Tommy James, singer, member of the Roulette Records group Tommy James and The Shondells, is born Thomas Jackson in Dayton, Ohio
65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - At an extended session that will go until April 30, 1953, The Gerry Mulligan Quartet (Mulligan on saxophone, Chet Baker on trumpet, Larry Bunker on drums, and Carson Smith on bass) record the titles "Darn That Dream", "I May Be Wrong", "I'm Beginning To See The Light", "The Nearness Of You" and "Tea For Two" at Radio Recorders' studios in Los Angeles, California for Pacific Jazz which will issue all the titles on the group's album "Gerry Mulligan Quartet" (PJLP-5). Blue Note Records will issue "The Nearness Of You" and "Tea For Two" in Japan on the complilation album "The West Coast Sessions" (FCPA6212).
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - The Ornette Coleman Quartet (Ornette Coleman on alto saxophone, Dewey Redman on tenor saxphone, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums) record the titles "We Now Interrupt For A Commercial" with the group on vocals, an alternate take of "Love Call" with Coleman also on trumpet, "The Garden Of Souls", "Open To The Public", "Toy Dance", an alternate take of "Check-Out Time", "Airborne", and an alternate take of "Broad Way Blues in A & R Studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue "We Now Interrupt For A Commercial" (the version on the original album replaced the vocals with Mel Fuhrman doing the announcements but the group's vocals were restored for the CD release), "The Garden Of Souls", and "Toy Dance" on the quartet's album "New York Is Now!" (BST 84287) and with the alternate take of "Broad Way Blues" on the CD release of the album (7-84287-2), "Open To The Public" and "Airborne" on the group's album "Love Call" (BST 84356) and with the alternate takes of "Love Call" and "Check-Out Time" on the CD release of the album (7-84356-2).
1992 - Virgin Records America artist Paula Abdul marries actor Emilio Estevez in Santa Monica, California. It is the first marriage for both and Paula will resume her concert tour in two days.
20 Years Ago Today In 1998 - Vocalist Lena Horne, with Donald Harrison on tenor saxophone, Mark Sherman on vibraphone, Mike Renzi on piano, Bobby Forrester on organ, Rodney Jones on guitar, Benjamin Brown on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums, records the title "Singin' In The Rain" at Nola Recording Studio in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue the title on the CD for the soundtrack to the movie "Lulu On The Bridge" (4-95317-2).
2006 - Former Capitol Records artist Keely Smith and Trio perform live at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California. Showtimes were at 8:30 and 10:30 PM. For more info, check out Catalina's website. They also played the previous night. Any first-hand accounts would be much appreciated!