MAY 28, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1910 - T-Bone Walker, guitarist and Capitol and Imperial Records artist, is born Aaron Thibeaux Walker in Linden, Texas and would later become a major influence on many Blues guitarists including a very young Steve Miller when Walker visited Miller's father's home recording studio for impromptu sessions
1912 - Dave Barbour, guitarist, composer, arranger, band leader and husband of Capitol Records artist Peggy Lee, is born David Michael Barbour in Flushing, New York
90 Years Ago Today In 1928 - Arno Marsh, a tenor saxophone player with Capitol Records group Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, is born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
1944 - Billy Vera, singer (as a solo artist, in a duo with Judy Clay, and with the bands Resolution and Billy And The Beaters), songwriter, actor, voice over artist, music historian, 45 rpm collector, and producer of Capitol Records' "From The Vaults" series and writer of the liner notes for Mosaic Records' release of Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer's compilation CD "Mosaic Select: Johnny Mercer", is born William Patrick McCord in Riverside, California and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the north east corner of Vine and Yucca, right outside The Capitol Tower's Gogerty Building extension. Billy wrote me to correct an earlier post I made saying "The note writer on my first Atlantic LP wrote that my real name is William McCord, Jr., and the mistake has been continued ever since. Actually, my father and I have different middle names, which means I'm not a 'Jr. ... My full name is William Patrick McCord, born in Riverside, CA [where his father served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed at March Field], not San Diego, as that same LP said. My mom [Ann Ryan] was one of The Ray Charles Singers on the Perry Como Show during the '50s and sang on a number of his hits. My dad [William J. "Bill" McCord] was an announcer on NBC in New York for almost 30 years [where he was the voice on such TV Quiz shows as "Tic Tac Dough" and "Twenty-One"], so there's a show biz background."
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Kylie Minogue, singer, television and motion picture actress, and Capitol Records artist, is born in Melbourne, Australia

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - On her husband's, (Dave Barbour) 34th birthday, vocalist Peggy Lee records "Can't Help Lovin' That Man", "Mean To Me", "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)", and "Summertime" for Capitol Records transcription service with Buddy Cole's Four Of A Kind (Dave Barbour on guitar, Philip Stephens on bass, Buddy Cole on piano, celeste and organ, and Tom Romersa on drums) at Radio Recorders studios at 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California with engineer John Palladino
70 Years Ago Today In 1948 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Best-Selling Popular Retail Records chart, #2 on the magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Records and Most-Played Juke Box Race Records charts, and #3 on the magazine's Best Selling Retail Race Records chart. Also, Cole's single "A Boy From Texas" is #6 on The Billboard magazine's The Disk Jockeys Pick chart in its Record Possibilities section.
1949 - Mel Tormé (with orchestra conducted by Pete Rugolo)'s Capitol Records single "Again" is #8 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer's Capitol Records single "Baby It's Cold Outside" is #10, Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "'A' You're Adorable" is #11, Mel Tormé (with orchestra conducted  by Pete Rugalo)'s Capitol Records single "Careless Hands" is #16, and Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Need You" is #18.
65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - Bob Graettinger conducts his own arrangements to Stan Kenton's Orchestra (Bud Shank on alto saxophone and flute, Herb Geller also on alto saxophone, Bob Cooper and Bart Caldarell on tenor saxophones, clarinets, and bassoons, and John Rotella on baritone saxophone) as they record Graettinger's compositions "A Thought" with the addition of John Graas on French horn and "Some Saxophones" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Stan Kenton's album "This Modern World" (EBF-460 on two 7" EP set and H/L-460 on 10" LP).

65 Years Ago Today In 1953 - Vocalist Dorothy Shay with Russ Black directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Sugarplum Kisses And Vinegar Tears", "Television's Tough On Love", and "A Little Western Town Called Beverly Hills" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Shay's album "Park Avenue Hillbilly" (EBF-444 in a two 7" EP set and H-444 on 10" LP) and "Sugarplum Kisses And Vinegar Tears" also as a single (Capitol 2597 on 10" shellac and F2957 on 7" vinyl) with "Why Shore" (recorded May 30, 1953) on the flipside.

1955 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Unchained Melody" is #2 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s single "A Blossom Fell" and it's flip side "If I May" (with The Four Knights and Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) are #6, Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Learin' The Blues" is #10, Tennessee Ernie Ford (with Cliffie Stone's Band)'s Capitol Records single "The Ballad Of Davy Crocket" is #11, and Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s "Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup" is #18
1955 - Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records album "In The Wee Small Hours" enters the top 20 of Billboard's album chart beginning a top 20 album career that would last, in the U.S., for next 39 years and 7 months until his album "Duets" exited the top 20 on December 31, 1994
60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - The Frank Moore Four (Frank Moore on accordion and unlisted tenor saxophone, bass, and drums players) record the titles "There Will Never Be Another You", "Flamingo", and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "The Frank Moore Four" (T 1127).

60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Trumpet player and bandleader Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Pete Candoli, Conrad Gozzo, Jack Laubach, and Jack Holman on trumpets, Milt Bernhart, Lew McCreary, Jimmy Priddy, and Abe Lincoln on trombones, Med Flory and Gus Bivona on clarinets and alto saxophones, Georgie Auld and Plas Johnson on tenor saxophones, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Buddy Cole on piano, Bob Bain and Al Hendrickson on guitars, Don Simpson on bass, and Ray Martinez on drums), with vocal group The Skyliners (lineup unlisted) and using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the titles "Anita", "There He Goes", "Danny Boy", "Heaven Only Knows", and "Still Wind" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles. Aero Space Records will issue "Heaven Only Knows" on the album "Ray Anthony" (RA 1002) and on the multi-album compilation CD "Dream Dancing In Hawaii / Dream Dancing Memories" RACD1026).

60 Years Ago Today In 1958 - Vocalist Molly Bee, with unlisted others, records the titles "Candy Kisses", "Cheatin' On Me", and "The Glory Of Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Bee's album "Young Romance" (T 1097).

1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls", with "Congratulations" on the flipside, is #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #21 on WABC's Silver Dollar Sound Survey in New York City, New York.
55 Years Ago Today In 1963 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Andrews Gospel Singers (Sylvia Lois Andrews on lead vocals, with Paula Marie Andrews, Flora Daggao, Donna Daggao, and Norma J. King on harmony vocals, and Ola Jean Andrews on lead vocals, piano, and organ), with an unlisted drummer, record the titles "Does Jesus Care", "The Miracle", and "Soon All Will Be Done" at the first session and the titles "I Won't Turn Back", "Move Up A Little Higher", and "Open Your Heart" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "Move Up A Little Higher" which it has yet to issue, on the group's album "Open Your Heart" (T/ST 1959) and "I Won't Turn Back" also as a single (Capitol 4995) with "He Is A Mighty God" (edited from a take recorded on March 29, 1963) on the flipside.

Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra's album "The Sounds of The Great Bands, Volume 7: Today's Best" (T/ST 1938).

1966 - The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds" enters Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart where it will spend the next 39 weeks
1967 - Wynn Stewart's Capitol Records single "It's Such A Pretty World Today", with "Ol' What's Her Name" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Final overdubs are recorded for Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell's titles "Let It Be Me", "Little Green Apples", and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Gentry and Campbell's album "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" (ST 2928).
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Norma Tanega, with unlisted others, records the titles "Night", "Snow People", "Winters Gold", and "Snow Flower" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, with Harry Edison on trumpet, Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Georgie Auld on tenor saxophone, Hank Jones on piano, John Collins on guitar, Bob West on electric bass, and Panama Francis on drums and using arrangements by Benny Carter, records the titles "Medley: No Regrets/I've Got A Feeling You're Fooling/Don't Blame Me (instrumental)/Deep Purple/Rain/You're A Sweetheart" and "Medley: On Green Dolphin Street/How Am I To Know/Just Friends (instrumental)/I Cried For You/Seems Like Old Times/You Stepped Out Of A Dream" at an extended session in Los Angeles, California between 8:00PM and 12:00 AM on May 29, 1968, with producer Dave Dexter, Jr. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Fitzgerald's album "30 By Ella" (ST 2960).

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Vocalist Buck Owens and His Buckaroos (lineup unlisted), with vocalist Buddy Alan, record the titles "Christmas Time Is Near", "Tomorrow Is Christmas Day" and "Christmas Schottische" at The Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Owen's album "Christmas Shopping" (ST 2977).

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - The Beach Boys (lineup unlisted) record vocal overdubs in Los Angeles, California onto instrumental tracks recorded on May 27, 1968 for the title "We're Together Again". Even after additional overdubs are recorded on May 31, 1968, Capitol Records has yet to issue the title.

50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - The Four King Cousins (lineup unlisted), with unlisted others, record the titles "Good Day Sunshine", "I Wanna Be Free", "This Girl's In Love With You", and 'Let's Get Away From It All" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Introducing The Four King Cousins" (ST 2990).

45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, records the titles "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)", "A Bit O.K.", and "Until It's Time For You To Go" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded at the same session, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Reddy's album "Long Hard Climb" (SMAS-11213) and "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" also as a single (Capitol 3768) with "Old Fashioned Way" (recorded May 8, 1973) on the flipside.

45 Years Ago Today In 1973 - Capitol Records will register the master it purchased for Jack Lebsock's title "A World That Cannot See" which was produced by Buck Owens Enterprises and recorded in The Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and issue the title as a single (Capitol 3665) with "For Lovers Only" (registered October 26, 1972) on the flipside. 

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

2006 - Dierks Bentley's Liberty Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records Nashville) single "Settle For A Slowdown" is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL HISTORY
75 Years Ago Today In 1943 - Tony Mansfield, a producer, songwriter and drummer in the bands Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas (Parlophone), New Musik (CBS/Sony) and Naked Eyes (EMI America/EMI/Parlophone), is born Anthony Bookbinder, in Salford, England.
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett, with unlisted others, records the title "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)" in E.M.I's Abbey Road Studios in London, England with producer Pete Jenner. After overdubs are added June 8, 1968, and the final mix is done by Gareth Cousins on April 25, 1969, Harvest Records with issue the title in England on Barrett's album "Opel" (SHSP 4126) and Capitol Records will issue the title in the United States on the CD release of "Opel" (7-91206-2).
25 Years Ago Today In 1993 - Phil Perry and Everette Harp, with unlisted others, record the title "Diamond And Pearls" in an unlisted studio. Blue Note will issue the title on the multi-artist compilation CD "Blue Note Plays Prince (8-63826-2 in the United States and 8-63827-2 in England).
2004 - Vance "Pinto" Colvig is inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame as the original Bozo

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
75 Years Ago Today In 1943 - Monty Woolley, helped by Jeanne Crain and Jo-Carroll Dennison, places his hand, foot and beard prints in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California during ceremony #69