MAY 15, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1936 - Anna Maria Alberghetti, Broadway, motion picture, and television actress, classical and pop singer, and Capitol Records artist (1957-1959), is born in Pesaro, Marche, Italy
1944 - Graham Goble, guitarist with the Capitol Records group The Little River Band, is born in Adelaide, Australia
1951 - Jonathan Richman, singer, songwriter, founder of the band The Modern Lovers, solo artist, Capitol Records artist (on the motion picture soundtrack to "There's Something About Mary"), is born in Boston, Massachusetts

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - Nat "King" Cole (with orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol)'s Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Peggy Lee (with Dave Barbour and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Mañana" is #3.
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - Rene Touzet (aka Buddy Cole) directs His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Masquerade", "Quien Sabe? (Who Knows?)", "Ron Y Rumba", "Modernizando", "Goo Goo", "Just And Idea", "Impia", and "Peanut Vendor" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Masquerade" and "Just An Idea" together as a single (Capitol 15360), "Quien Sabe? (Who Knows?)" and "Impia" together as a single (Capitol 15252), and has yet to issue any of the other titles.
65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - Vocalist Gisele MacKenzie, with Buddy Cole and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)" and "I Didn't Want To Love You" with the addition of a vocal group (lineup unlisted) and the titles "Half-Hearted" and "Till They've All Gone Home" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)" and "I Didn't Want To Love You" together as a single (Capitol 2501) and "Half-Hearted" and "Till They've All Gone Home" together as a single (Capitol 2556).
1954 - Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Young At Heart" is #3 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Kay Starr (with orchestra conducted by Harold Mooney)'s Capitol Records single "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" is #6 and it's flipside "The Man Upstairs" is #8, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Answer Me, My Love" is #11.
1954 - Jack Benny signs a contract with Alan Livingston to record tracks for Capitol's Children's Records Music Appreciation Series.
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - The Four Freshmen (Bob Flanigan on lead vocals, and Don Barbour, Ross Barbour, and Ken Albers on vocals), with Dick Reynolds conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Ray Triscari, Buddy Childers, Virgil Evans, and Jack Laubach on trumpets, Milt Bernhart and Harry Betts on trombones, Ken Shroyer on bass trombone, Hymie Gunkler and Eddie Rosa on alto saxophone, Ted Nash and Med Flory on tenor saxophones, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Al Viola on gutiar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Bill Richmond on drums), records the titles "This Octobber", "When I'm Happy", and "Sunday Blues" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the nine-LP box set "The Complete Capitol Four Freshmen Fifties Sessions" (MD9-203).
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Jules Chaikin, Billy Catalano, Lee Katzman, and Phil Gilbert on trumpets, Archie Le Coque, Kent Larsen, Don Reed, and Jim Amlotte on trombones, John "Tommy"Johnson on tuba, Lennie Niehaus on alto saxophone, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophones, Bill Robinson and Steve Perlow on baritone saxophones, Red Kelly on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums) record the titles "Beside The Bay", "Harbor Lights", and "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Creative World will issue "Beside The Bay" on the album "Stan Kenton - By Request, Volume 6" (ST-1069). The other two titles have yet to be issued.
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Fred Waring conducts The Pennsylvanians (lineup unlisted) as they records the titles "Min Skol, Din Skol" using an arrangement by Hawley Ades and "Zorro" using an arrangement by Harry Simeone in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3993).

60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Vocalist Jean Shepard, with Floyd Cramer on piano, Thomas Grady Martin or Jackie Phelps on lead guitar, Ray Edenton on rhythm guitar, (listed as probably) Walter Haynes on steel guitar, Roy M "Junior" Huskey, Jr. on bass, and Murray M. "Buddy" Harman, Jr. on drums, records the titels "Secret Life", "Jealous Heart", and "Sweet Temptation" at Bradley Film And Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.Capitol Records will issue "Secret Life" as a single (Capitol F4013) with "He's My Baby" (recorded May 17, 1958) on the flipside, "Jealous Heart" on Shepard's album "Heartaches & Tears" (T/ST 1663), and "Sweet Temptation" on Shepard's album "Lonesome Love" (EAP-2-1126 on 7" EP and T 1126 on 12" LP).

60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Pianist and vocalist Esquerita (Eskew Reeder, Jr.), a "discovery" by Paul Peek and Gene Vincent and a major influence on Little Richard, at his first session as a Capitol Records artist, with Andrew Lee Goodrich on tenor saxophone, Vincent Moses on guitar, Floyd T. Chance on bass, and Johnny "Richardo" Young on drums, records the title "Oh Baby" with Atlanta-based vocal group The Gardenias (Calvin Arnold, Carlton Sheppard, Jr., Lloyd White and William Dixon), "Please Come On Home", "Sarah Lee", and (again with The Gardenias) the first version of "I Live The Life I Love" at RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Oh Baby" and "Please Come On Home" together as a single (Capitol F4007) and all the titles on CD "Capitol Collectors Series - Esquerita" (7-91871-2).
1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls" is #29 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Vocalist Nat "King" Cole, with Ralph Carmichael conducting the vocal chorus (lineup unlisted) and orchestra (Tommy Johnson on tuba, Milt Raskin on piano, Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson, and Alvino Rey on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, Frank Carlson on drums, Larry Bunker on percussion and a string section with Victor Arno, Arnold 'Al' Belnick, Emil Briano, James Getzoff, Nathan Ross, Sidney Sharp, Paul Shure, and Gerald Vinci on violin), records the titles "On The Sidewalks Of New York", "Get Out And Get Under The Moon", "After The Ball Is Over", There's A Tavern In The Town", "On A Bicycle Build For Two", and "In The Good Old Summertime" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Streeet in Hollywood, California at an extended session held between 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the songs on Cole's album "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" (T 1932). Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" debuts at #24 on WMCA's Top Twenty-Five chart in New York City, New York.
1966 - Capitol Records is a sponsor of "A Tribute To Judy Holliday", a banquet to benefit The American Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.
1967 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Sam's Place" is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Bruce Johnston signs a contract with Capitol Records and becomes part of the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys.
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist and guitarist Mary McCaslin, with unlisted others, records the titles "With The Sun In My Eyes" and "From Some Cool Blue-Iced Shore" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Bear Family Records will issue both titles in Germany on the CD "Mary McCaslin - Rain/The Lost Album" (BCD 16232).

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Jimmy Jones conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Clyde Raesinger on trumpet, John Audino, Bobby Bryant, and Harry Edison on trumpets and flugelhorns, Chuck Cooper, Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, Dick Nash, Lew McCreary, and Ken Shroyer on trombones, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt on alto saxophone, William Green and Plas Johnson on saxophones and clarinets, Justin Gordon on saxophone and flute, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, and bass clarinet, Don Trenner on piano, Bob Bain and Mundell Lowe on guitars, Buster Williams on bass, Shelly Manne on drums, Larry Bunker, Gene Estes, and Victor Feldman on vibraphone and percusssion) records the titles "By Myself", "This Bitter Earth", "The Rules Of The Road", and "It Only Takes A Moment" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Wilson's album "The Sound Of Nancy Wilson" (ST 2970) and "This Bitter Earth" also as a single (Capitol 2283) with "Peace Of Mind" (recorded May 16, 1968) on the flipside.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Hardwater (lineup unlisted) records the title "Birds Of Prey" at the first session and the title "Good Life & Hard Times" at the second session for Capitol Records which has yet to issue "Birds Of Prey. No issuing information is listed for "Good Life & Hard Times".

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Bobby Gentry, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using an arrangement by Perry Botkin, Jr., records the title "Eleanor Rigby" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Gentry's album "Local Gentry" (ST 2964).

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Bettye Swann, with unlisted others, records the titles "I'm Lonely For You" and "My Heart Is Closed For The Season" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue the take of "I'm Lonely For You" recorded at this session. Swann will record a new take of the title on May 29, 1968, and that take will be issued with the take of "My Heart Is Closed For The Season" recorded at this session as a single (Capitol 2263).

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - The Immigrants (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Don't Handle Me With Satin", "But On The Other Hand", "I'm Going Home", and "Someday Soon" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Guitarist Merle Travis, using his own arrangement, records the titLe "Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the title on Travis' album "Strictly Guitar" (ST 2938).

1970 - Harvest Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) band Pink Floyd perform a two-and-a-half-hour set at Crystal Palace in England, complete with fireworks and fifty-foot inflatable octopus, that is so loud that fish die in the nearby lake

1972 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records compilation album "Greatest Hits" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Purlie (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Burgerette" and "Ants And Termites" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3681).

45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Capitol Records registers in Los Angeles, California the master for Tony Booth's title "Don't Let True Love Slip Away" that it was recorded in the Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and purchased from Buck Owens Enterprises and will issue the title as a single (Capitol 3939) with "Old Faithful" (registered on April 13, 1973) on the flipside and on Booth's album "This Is Tony Booth" (ST-11210).

45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Ultra Violet (aka Isabelle Collin Dufresne), with Todd Rundgren on guitar, records the title "As Time Goes By" in Los Angeles, California with producer Jeffrey Cheen. Capitol Records will issue the title on Ultra Violet's self-titled album "Ultra Violet" (ST-11244).

1976 - The Sylvers' Capitol Records single "Boogie Fever", with "Free Style" on the flipside, becomes Capitol Records first R&B single to hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart.
40 Years Ago Today In 1978 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the titles "Sing It Nice And Loud For Me Sonny", "Never Tell You No Lies", and "Let's All Sing A Song About It" in Sherman Oaks, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Campbell's album "Basic" (SW-11722), "Never Tell You No Lies" also as a single (Capitol 4715) with "California" (recorded February 22, 1978) on the flipside and "Let's All Sing A Song About It" also as a single (Capitol 4638) with "Can You Fool" (also recorded February 22, 1978) on the flipside.

40 Years Ago Today In 1978 - Colleen Peterson, with unlisted others, records the titles "The Last Time I Saw You", "Denver Hotel", and "One Horse Town" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Last Time I Saw You" and "One Horse Town" on Peterson's album "Takin' My Boots Off" (ST-11835). No issuing information is listed for "Denver Hotel".

30 Years Ago Today In 1988 - Mother's Finest (lineup unlisted) records the title "Heartbreaker" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Looks Could Kill" (C1-48988 on 12" LP and 7-48988-2 on CD).

1994 - John Berry's Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) single "Your Love Amazes Me", with "What's In It For Me" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

2011 - Bob Flanigan, original lead singer for the Capitol Records group The Four Freshmen, passed away just before 10 PM at his home in Las Vegas at age 84 of congestive heart failure. He was with several generations of his family and died peacefully with jazz music playing softly. Earlier in the afternoon, Rod Henley and a group of Vegas musicians came by his home and played for him, so music was a big part of Bob's last day on earth.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1856 - L. Frank Baum, creator and initial writer of "The Wizard of Oz" series of books and early motion pictures, was born Lyman Frank Baum in Chittenango, New York. Capitol Records will release the children's record "Dorothy And The Wizard Of Oz" based on Baum's stories.
1914 - Norrie Paramor, pianist, bandleader, arranger, conductor, and an EMI Records UK artist who also worked on sessions with other EMI artists and Capitol Records artists who recorded using EMI's facilities in London is born in London, England
75 Years Ago Today In 1943 - Clarinetist and bandleader George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers (Jim Robinson on trombone, Sidney "Little Jim" Brown on tuba, Lawrence Marrero on banjo, and Edgar Mosley on drums) record the titles "Climax Rag", "New Orleans Hula", "Don't Go 'Way Nobody", and "Two Jim Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana for Climax Records which will sell the masters to Blue Note Records which will issue "Don't Go 'Way Nobody" on the album "George Lewis And His New Orleans Stompers ‎– Volume 2" (BLP1206) and "Two Jim Blues" on the album "Echoes Of New Orleans, Volume 2" (BLP7013). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the box set "The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of George Lewis" (MR5-132 on five 12" LPs and MD3-132 on three CDs).
65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - Mike Oldfield, composer, film scorer, and Virgin Records' first released artist ("Tubular Bells"), is born in Reading, Berkshire, England
1961 - Ernie K-Doe's Minit Records single "Mother-In-Law" is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Gene McDaniels' Liberty Records single "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" is #3, Rick Nelson's "Travelin' Man" is #8, Steve Lawrence's United Artists Records single "Portrait Of My Love" is #12, and Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Hello Mary Lou" is #27
1971 - Two films by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, "Apotheosis" and "Fly", are shown at Cannes Film Festival in France
1980 - "The Great Rock and Roll Swindle" a documentary about EMI and Virgin Records band The Sex Pistols, is released
35 Years Ago Today In 1983 - David Bowie's EMI America Records single "Let's Dance", with "Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)" on the flipside, hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1986 - EMI opens its first CD manufacturing plant, located in Swindon, England
15 Years Ago Today In 2003 - June Carter Cash, singer, songwriter, wife of singer Johnny Cash and mother of Capitol Records artist Roseanne Cash, dies at Nashville Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee from complications from heart valve surgery at age 73. She is later buried in a light blue coffin at Hendersonville Memory Gardens in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1945 - Billboard publishes its first album chart. At the time, an album consisited of more than one 78rpm shellac disc held in paper sleeves in a binder.
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper orbits the Earth 22 times aboard Mercury 9 spacecraft "Faith 7"