JANUARY 17, 2020

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1913 - Vido Musso, clarinetist and tenor saxophonist with Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, Harry James and His Orchestra, Woody Herman and His Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, and Capitol Records artist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (1945-1947) as well as his own small groups, is born in Carini, Italy
1931 - Clifford Solomon, a tenor saxophonist with Capitol Records artist Johnny Otis as well as John Mayall, Charles Brown, Ray Charles, and others, is born in Los Angeles, California

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - Johnny Mercer's Capitol Records single "Personality", with "If I Knew Then" on the flipside, enters The Billboard magazine's "Records Most-Played On The Air" chart at #9 and its "Most-Played Juke Box Records" chart at #13.
1946 - Tex Ritter (on vocals), with Wesley Tuttle on guitar and Cliffie Stone on bass, records the titles "Down In The Valley", "Billy The Kid", "O Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie", "Ridin' Ole Paint", "De Camptown Races", "Sam Bass", "Zebra Dun", "Trail To Mexico", "Whoopee Ti Yi Yo (Get Along Little Doggies)", "Casey Jones" and "When The Work's All Done This Fall" for the Capitol Records Transcription Service at Radio Recorders' studios in Hollywood, California. The Capitol Records Transcription Service will issue the first five titles on transcription disc G-26 and the rest of the tracks, except "Casey Jones" on transcription disc G-25. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany in the 4 CD box set "Tex Ritter - Have I Stayed Away Too Long?" (BCD 16239),
1947 - Merle Travis' Capitol Records single "Divorce Me C.O.D.", with "Missouri" on the flipside, is back to #1 for the thirteenth and last week on The Billboard magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Folk Records chart (the precursor to the Country Music chart) after falling to #2 on the January 10th chart.
1947 - The Pied Pipers (vocalists June Hutton, Chuck Lowry, Hal Hopper, and Clark Yocum), with Paul Weston and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "When Am I Gonna Kiss You Good Morning" and "Open The Door Richard" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 369).
1948 - It's a Saturday and on this afternoon's episode of "King Cole Trio Time", being broadcast from NBC's studios in New York City, New York, the guest is Herb Jefferies and the announcer is Freddie Robbins. The trio performs "Straighten Up And Fly Right", "I'll Dance At Your Wedding", "You're The Cream In My Coffee", "What'll I Do?", "When I Write My Song" with Herb Jefferies, then "I Found A New Baby" and "I Feel So Smoochie". The Armed Forces Radio Service will issue an electronic transcription disc of the episode. (King Cole Trio 31).
1951 - The Hollywood String Quartet (Felix Slatkin leader and violin, Paul Shure on violin, Paul Robyn on viola, and Eleanor Aller on cello), with Kurt Reher on cello, records parts 1 and 2 of the third and fourth movements of Franz Schubert's "Quintet In C Major, Op. 163" at Capitol Records' Melrose Avenue studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the parts for the title on the Quartet's album "SCHUBERT - Quintet In C Major, Op. 163" (P-8133).
1952 - Kay Starr is called late at night into Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California to quickly record, with Harold Mooney directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), the titles "Too Busy", "Wheel Of Fortune" and "Three Letters". Capitol Records will issue "Too Busy" on Starr's album "The Kay Starr Style" (CDN-363), will rush-release "Wheel Of Fortune" as a single (Capitol 1964) in February 1952 with "I Wanna Love You" (recorded January 15, 1957) on the flipside, and has yet to issue the take of "Three Letters" recorded this night but did release a take recorded on July 3, 1952. "Wheel Of Fortune" will become Starr's first gold record and will eventually become the #2 best-selling single of 1952.
1956 - Jack Teagarden (on trombone and vocals), with Harry Geller's Orchestra (Simon "Si" Zentner, Benny Benson, and Lloyd Ulyate on trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Gus Bivona on alto saxophone, Eddie Miller on tenor saxophone, Ray Sherman on piano, Jack Marshall on guitar, Mike Rubin on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums), records the titles "Stars Fell On Alabama", "Old Pidgeon-Toed Joad", "My Kinda Love", and "Peg O' My Heart" at Capitol Records' studios on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Teagarden's album "This Is Teagarden" (T 721).
1956 - Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, with Johnny Green conducting The MGM Studio Orchestra (which included Jimmy Zito, Joe Triscari, and Uan Rasey on trumpet, Herb Taylor, Nick DiMaio, and Si Zentner on trombone, Art Shapiro on bass, and unidentified others), record the title "Well Did You Evah?" at MGM's studios in Culver City, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the original soundtrack album for the movie "High Society" (W 750).
1958 - Pianist Paul Smith, with Jules Kinsler on flute, Bob Cooper on tenor saxophone, Tony Rizzi on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums, records the titles "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Chicken Wings", "It's Alright With Me", and "All Of You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Smith's album "Delicate Jazz" (T 1017).
1958 - Vocalist Sonny James, with guitarist Bob Bain and His Orchestra (Ray Sherman on piano, Red Callender on bass, and Raymond Martinez on drums) using arrangements by Bain, records the titles "Walk To The Dance", "Kathaleen", "Are You Mine", and "Let's Play Love" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 7:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Walk To The Dance" and "Kathaleen" together as a single (Capitol F3888) and, after vocal overdubs are recorded by Darla Darret on March 27, 1958, for "Are You Mine", will issue the final mix of that title and "Let's Play Love" together as a single (Capitol F3962).
1958 - The Jonah Jones Quartet (Jonah Jones on trumpet and vocals, George Rhodes on piano, John Brown on bass, and Harold Austin on drums) records the titles "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "Just My Luck" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the quartet's album "Swingin' On Broadway" (EAP-2-963 on 7" EP and T/ST 963 on 12" LP).
1961 - Rose Maddox (on vocals), with "Gentleman" Jim Pierce on piano, John Calvin Maddox, William Everett "Billy" Strange, and Roy Ernest Nichols on guitars, Norman Daniel Hamlett on steel guitar, Allen J. Williams on bass, and Marion Z. "Pee Wee" Adams on drums, records the titles "Conscience, I'm Guilty", "Read My Letter Once Again", "Tall Men", and "Early In The Morning" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM. After overdubs are recorded for "Early In The Morning" on January 18, 1961, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Maddox's album "A Big Bouquet Of Roses" (T 1548).
1961 - Diane Maxwell, with the Hank Levine Orchestra and chorus (lineups unlisted) records the titles "Whispering Pines", "Remember Me, I'm The One Who Loves You", "Born To Be With You", and a as yet unreleased take of "Big Shot Nothing Bringer" in Los Angeles, California with producer Ken Nelson. Capitol Records will issue the first and third titles together as a single (Capitol 4541) and the second title as a single (Capitol 4571) with "Rainbows" (recorded April 26, 1961) on the flipside.
1961 - Pianist Lee Evans (aka Eli Levine), with uncredited musicians in a orchestra, records a as yet unissued take of the title "Where Have You Been" and the titles "The Moon Is Yellow", "Beyond The Reef", and "Tin-Tun-Tan" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the last three titles on Evan's album "Big Piano, Big Band, Big Sound" (T 1625).
1963 - Vocal group The Kingston Trio (Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane, and John Stewart), with Allan Reuss on guitar, and Dean Reilly on bass, record the background track, vocal track, and overdubs for the title "Road To Freedom" and the title "Ballad Of The Quiet Fighter" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM and then from 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue the final mix of "Road To Freedom" and "Ballad Of The Quiet Fighter" on the trio's album "The Kingston Trio #16" (T/ST 1871).

55 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "You're The Only World I Know", with "Tying The Pieces Together" on the flipside, is #1 on the Country singles charts.

1966 - Guitarist Laurindo Almeida, with Stanley Wilson conducting The Concert Arts Chamber Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records Johann Sebastian Bach's "Arioso From The Harpsichord Concerto In F Minor" and Silvius Leopold Weiss' "Suite In A Minor (5 movements): Prelude/Allemande/Sarabande/Gavotte/Gigue)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Almeida's album "Concerto For Guitar And Small Orchestra: VILLA-LOBOS - Concerto For Guitar And Small Orchestra/WEISS - Suite In A Minor/J.S. BACH - Arioso From The Harpsichord Concerto In F Minor" (P-8638).
1968 - The Stone Poneys (Kenny Edwards and Bob Kimmel on guitars and Linda Ronstadt on vocals) record the title "A Number And A Name" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue the title.
1968 - The Magnificent Men (lineup unlisted) record the titles "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Everybody's Got A Home But Me", and "So Much Love Waiting" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "The World Of Soul" (T/ST 2846).
1968 - The Band (lineup unlisted) records overdubs for the title "The Weight" whose basic tracks were recorded on January 12, 1968 and the basic tracks and overdubs for the title "We Can Talk About It Now" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles on the group's album "Music From Big Pink" (SKAO 2955).
1969 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "The Christmas Song" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.
1971 - Jerry Corbitt records the title "John Deere Tractor" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Corbitt's album "John Corbitt" (ST-771).
1972 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' single "I'll Still Be Waiting For You" with "Full Time Daddy" on the flipside
1973 - During two sessions held this day in Nashville, Tennessee, vocalist Merle Haggard, with The Strangers (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Love And Honor Never Crossed Your Mind", "This Is The Song We Sing", "There's Just One Way", and "Uncle Lem" at the first session and the titles "Daddy Won't Be Home For Christmas", "Bobby Wants A Puppy For Christmas", and "The Emptiest Arms In The World" at the second session. After overdubs are recorded for "Love And Honor Never Crossed Your Mind", "There's Just One Way", "Daddy Won't Be Home For Christmas", "Bobby Wants A Puppy For Christmas", and "The Emptiest Arms In The World" on January 20, 1973, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of "Love And Honor Never Crossed Your Mind" and "There's Just One Way" as well as "Uncle Lem" on Haggard's album "If We Make It Through December" (ST-11276), "This Is The Song We Sing" on the album "It's All In The Movies" (ST-11483), the final mixes of "Daddy Won't Be Home Again For Christmas" and "Bobby Wants A Puppy For Christmas" on the album "Merle Haggard's Christmas Present (Something Old, Something New)" (ST-11230), "Bobby Want's A Puppy For Christmas" as a single (Capitol 3746) and "The Emptiest Arms In The World" as a single (Capitol 3552) and on Merle Haggard And The Strangers' album "I Love Dixie Blues" (ST-11149).
1976 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "Roots Of My Raising", with "The Way It Was In '51" on the flipside, enters the Country singles charts
1978 - The Sylvers (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Love Changes", "Heartbreak Dead Ahead", "Diamonds Are Rare", "Look What Love Has Done", and "Disco Jack" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.
1983 - Prism (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Don't Count Me Out" and "Japanese Girls" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.
1992 - Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) artist Garth Brooks' first TV special airs on NBC-TV
1996 - Tower, Harvest, and Capitol Records group (The) Pink Floyd is inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame
1998 - Cliffie Stone, singer, songwriter, bandleader, radio and television variety show host, personal manager, 1989 Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee, Capitol Records A&R executive and record producer, dies of a heart attack at his Saugus, California home at age 80.

ON THIS DATE NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1918 - Elmore James, guitarist and songwriter (whose Blues songs have been covered by Capitol Records artists from The Raspberries to Bonnie Raitt) is born in Durant, Mississippi
1981 - John Lennon's Geffen/Lenono Music Records single "Woman", with Yoko Ono's "Beautiful Boys" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Capitol Records currently distributes the John Lennon and Yoko Ono catalogs.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
140 Years Ago Today In 1880 - Mack Sennett, motion picture director, producer, and studio owner, is born Michael Sinnott in Richmond, Quebec, Canada.
1978 - Benny Goodman returns to Carnegie Hall forty years and one day after his 1938 concert to celebrate the show's anniversary. Goodman puts together a big band, which includes George Benson on guitar, but does not recreate the first concert's playlist. A recording of the new show would be released in 1982.
1994 - The Northridge Earthquake hits the Los Angeles basin starting at 4:30:55 AM PST. Along with the unfortunate deaths that occurred, structural damage will cause the later demolition of the original Brown Derby restaurant on Vine Street and the closure of The Pacific Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.