JANUARY 16, 2022

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

80 Years Ago Today In 1942 - Bill Francis, keyboardist with the Capitol Records group Dr. Hook, is born William Francis in Mobile, Alabama.

1946 - Ronnie Milsap, singer and Liberty (1993) and Capitol Records artist (1996), is born Ronnie Lee Milsap in Robbinsville, North Carolina.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1945 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (John Carroll, Buddy Childers, Karl George, Gene Roland, and Mel Green on trumpets, Harry Forbes, Freddie Zito, and Milt Kabak on trombones, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, Bob Lively and Boots Mussulli on alto saxophones, Dave Madden and Stan Getz on tenor saxophones, Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone, Bob Ahern on guitar, Bob Kesterson on bass, Jim Falzone on drums) record the titles "Ooh, What I Dreamed About You" (arranged by Stan Kenton) with vocals by Gene Howard, "I Want A Grown Up Man" (arranged by Gene Rowland) with vocals by Anita O'Day, "Travelin' Man" (arranged by Roland) with vocals by Anita O'Day, and the instrumental "Around Town" (arranged by Kenton) at C.P. MacGregor's studios at 729 South Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Travelin' Man" on the multi-artist album "Jazz Classics - Collector's Items" (AD-62). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the box set "The Complete Capitol Studio Recordings of Stan Kenton" (MQ12-163 on 12" vinyl and MD7-163 on CD).

75 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Cliffie Stone's Band (Clifford Snyder and unlisted musicians) records "Special Instructions For Square Dancing" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Cliffie Stone's album "Cliffie Stone Square Dances" (BD-44).

75 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocalist Tex Ritter, with an unidentified orchestra, records the titles "My Heart's As Cold As An Empty Jug", "I Cannot Tell A Lie", "Double Dealin' Darlin'", and "Toodle-Loo My Darlin'" at (listed as possibly) Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "My Heart's As Cold As An Empty Jug" as a single (Capitol 15119) with "Rock And Rye" (recorded December 30, 1957) on the flipside, "Double Dealin' Darlin" as a single (Capitol 15309) with "It's Never Too Late" (recorded September 25, 1944) on the flipside, and "Toodle-Loo My Darlin'" as a single (Capitol 40020) with "Teach Me To Forget" (recorded July 31, 1946) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in the 4-CD box set "Tex Ritter - Blood On The Saddle" (BCD 16260).

1948 - It's a Friday and The King Cole Trio, along with Noble Sissle's band, opens a week of shows at The Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York which draws standing room only crowds. The Trio close the show (because no one wanted to try and follow them) and perform such favorites as "Baby Likes To Rebop", "Save The Bones For Henry Jones", "Those Things Money Can't Buy", and "All I've Got Is Me". Also, The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records album "King Cole Trio, Volume III" is #4 on The Billboard magazine's Best-Selling Popular Record Albums chart.

1948 - Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm start seven straight days of shows at The Café Tia Juana in Cleveland, Ohio.

1948 - Peggy Lee's Capitol Records single "Mañana", with "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" on the flipside, enters The Billboard magazine's Most-Played On The Air chart at #11.

1949 - Soprano, alto, and tenor saxophonist and bandleader Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra (Dave Burns, Tony DiNardi, Johnny Howell, Doc Severinsen, and Lamar Wright Jr. on trumpets, Dick Kenney, Obie Massingill, and Kenny Martlock on trombones, Vinnie Dean and Art Raboy on alto saxophone, Kurt Bloom and Dave Matthews on tenor saxophone, Danny Bank on baritone saxophone, Claude Williamson on piano, Eddie Safranski on bass, Cliff Leeman on drums, Diego Iborra on bongos, and Carlos Vidal on congas) record the titles "Eugipelliv" and "Lonely Street" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Barnet's album "Classics In Jazz - Charlie Barnet" (T 624).

1951 - The Hollywood String Quartet (lead by Felix Slatkin on violin, Paul Shure also on violin, Paul Robyn on viola, and Eleanor Aller and Kurt Reher on cellos) records Shubert's "Quintet In C Major, Opus 163, 2nd Movement" in three parts at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the parts on the quartet's album "SCHUBERT - Quintet in C Major, Op.163" (P-8133).

1951 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California for The Capitol Records Transcription Service, Ernie Felice, with unlisted others records 5 unlisted titles at each session. No issuing information is listed.

70 Years Ago Today In 1952 - During two sessions held this day at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 10:00 PM and 11:30 PM, vocalist Tex Ritter, with Les Baxter's Chorus and Orchestra (Jules Kinsler on flute, Buddy Cole on piano, Artie Shapiro on bass, Milt Holland on drums, Kathryn Thompson on harp, Henry Hill, Dan Lube, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Eudice Shapiro, Felix Slatkin, and Marshall Sosson on violins, Paul Robyn on viola, Eleanor Aller Slatkin on cello, and an unlisted vocal chorus led by Baxter) records the titles "As Long As The River Flows On" and "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again" at the first session then Les Baxter's Chorus and Orchestra (probably the same lineup as above) records "Blue Tango" and "Please Mr. Sun". Capitol Records will issue both of Ritter's titles together as a single (Capitol 1977) and both of Baxter's titles together as a single (Capitol 1966).

70 Years Ago Today In 1952 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, pianist Leonard Pennario records, from Ravel's "Miroirs" (Suite For Piano), "Noctuelles (Night Moths)", "Oiseaux Tristes (Sorrowful Birds", and "La Vallée Des Cloches (Valley Of The Bells)" then, from Ravel's "Gaspard De La Nuit", "Le Gibet (The Scaffold)" then, from "Miroirs" (Suite for piano), "Une Barque Sur L'Ocean (A Boat On The Ocean)" at the first session and Ravel's "Alborada Del Graciose (The Jester Greets The Dawn)" then, from "Gaspard De La Nuit", "Odine", and a remake of "Une Barque Sur L'Ocean (A Boat On The Ocean)" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except the first take of "Une Barque Sur L'Ocean", on Pennario's album "RAVEL - Gaspard De La Nuit/Miroirs (Suite For Piano)" (P-8152).

1953 - Vocalist and guitarist Tex Ritter, with Margie Ann "Fiddlin' Kate" Warren on fiddle, Billy Liebert on accordion, Merle Travis and Jimmie Widener also on guitar, Robert Meadows on steel guitar, Henry Morton on bass, and Roy Harte on drums, recorded the titles "My Woman Ain't Pretty", "Buffalo Dream" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM and from 11: 30 PM to 12:00 AM on January 17, 1953. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2368).

1956 - June Christy (on vocals), with Pete Rugolo directing his own arrangements to the orchestra (John Graas on french horn, Bud Shank on flute and alto saxophone, Bob Cooper on tenor saxophone on oboe, Bernie Mattinson on vibraphone, bells, and percussion, Ann Mason Stockton on harp, Howard Roberts on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, Shelly Manne on drums, and a string section with Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, and Nick Pisani on violin, David Sterkin on viola, and Edgar Lustgarten on cello), records the titles "That's All", "'Round Midnight", "The Wind", and "Day Dream" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Christy's album "The Misty Miss Christy" (T 725).

1956 - Frank Sinatra (on vocals), with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Harry Edison, Conrad Gozzo, Mannie Klein, and Mickey Mangano on trumpet, Milt Bernhart and Jimmy Priddy on trombones, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Harry Klee and Willie Schwartz on alto saxophone and clarinet, Justin Gordon and James Williamson on tenor saxophones, Mort Friedman on baritone saxophone, Bill Miller on piano, George Van Eps on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, Irv Cottler on drums, Frank Flynn on percussion, Kathryn Julye on harp, and a string section with Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harold Dicterow, David Frisina, Henry Hill, Paul Nero, Mischa Russell, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, and Marshall Sosson on violin, Alvin Dinkin, Maxine Johnson, and Milton Thomas on viola, and Cy Bernard, Ennio Bolognini, and Eleanor Slatkin on cello), records, "Makin' Whoopee", "Old Devil Moon", "Anything Goes", "Too Marvelous For Words", and "We'll Be Together Again" at radio station KHJ's studios (now the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study and the Academy Film Archive) at 1313 North Vine Street, Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Sinatra's album "Songs For Swingin' Lovers" (W 653). This would mark the last time that Frank Sinatra would record in the KHJ studios.

65 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Trumpet player and bandleader Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Art De Pew, Jack Laubach, and Jack Holman also on trumpets, Jimmy Henderson, Lew McCreary, Jimmy Priddy on trombones, Med Flory, and Gene Merlino on alto saxophone, Bob Enevoldsen and Jeff Massingill on tenor saxophones, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Laurindo Almeida and Al Viola on guitars, Don Simpson on bass, and Bill Richmond on drums) using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the titles "Calypso Dance" and "Plymouth Rock" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3645).

65 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Vocal group The Five Keys (Ripley Ingram on tenor vocals, Rudy West on lead tenor vocals, Maryland Pierce and Ramon Loper on baritone vocals, and Bernie West on bass vocals), with Van Alexander and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Who Do You Know In Heaven (That Made You The Angel You Are)", "It's A Groove", and "Tiger Lily" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last titles on the group's album "The Five Keys On Stage!" (T 828) and "It's A Groove" as a single (Capitol F3710) with "Four Walls" (recorded January 21, 1957) on the flipside.

65 Year Ago Today In 1957 - Pianist Marian McPartland, with Max Cohn and Arnold Eidus on violins, Isadore Zir on viola, George Ricci on cello, Margaret Ross on harp, William Britto on bass, and Jimmy Campbell on drums, records the titles "After All", "Love Walked In", and "This Is New" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on McPartland's album "With You In Mind" (T 895). None of the titles appear by themselves on YouTube but below is a video of audio taken from a Capitol promotional album where Marian introduces "Love Walked In".

1958 - Vocalist Faron Young, with (listed as possibly) Merrill Moore on piano, Buck Owens on guitar, and The Jack Halloran Singers (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "Thank You For A Lovely Evening", "Everything I Have Is Yours", "The Nearness Of You", and "Sweet And Lovely" in Studio A of The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Faron's album "The Object Of My Affection" (EAP-1-1004 and EAP-3-1004 on 7" and T 1004 on 12").

1958 - Vocal group The Andrews Sisters (Laverne Andrews, Maxene Andrews, and Patty Andrews) with arranger Billy May conducting His Orchestra (Mannie Klein on trumpet, Simon "Si" Zentner, Murray McEachern, and William Schaefer on trombones, Wilbur Schwartz, Buddy Collette, and Bob Lawson on saxophones, Ray Sherman on piano, Bobby Gibbons on guitar, Phil Stephens on bass and tuba, Alvin Stoller and Larry Bunker on drums) records the titles "Me Too", "Show Me The Way To Go Home", "Barney Google", and "Collegiate" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 10:00 AM and 1:00 AM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the sister's album "The Andrews Sisters Sing The Dancing '20s" (T 973).

1958 - The Four Freshmen (Bob Flanigan on lead vocals, bass, and trombone, Don Barbour on vocals and guitar, Ross Barbour on vocals and drums, and Ken Albers on vocals, trumpet, mellophone, and bass), using vocal arrangements by Nelson Riddle, records the title "Indian Summer" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "The Four Freshmen In Person" (EAP-1-1008 on 7" EP and T/ST 1008 on 12" LP).

1958 Capitol Records purchases The Hollidays (vocalists Phil Ashby, Charles De Lette, Norman Brooks, Edward Saunders, and Joseph Thornton II) titles "The Wonder Of Love" and "I'm Not Ashamed" from Encino Records and will have subsidiary Prep Records issue both titles together as a single (Prep F136).

1958 - Capitol Records purchases the masters for vocalist Ed Townsend's titles "Over And Over Again" and "For Your Love", both with Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra, from Encino Records and will issue then together as a single (Capitol F3926).

1958, Arranger Johnny Ricards conducts His Orchestra (Al Stewart, Doug Mettome, Burt Collins, Jerry Kail, and Paul Cohen on trumpets, Frank Rehak, Jim Dahl, Jimmy Cleveland, and Eddie Bert on trombone, Al Antonucci on French horn, Jay McAllister on tuba, Gene Quill on alto saxophone, Frank Socolow on tenor saxophone, Billy Slapin on baritone saxophone and piccolo, Shelly Gold on baritone saxophone, Hank Jones on piano, Whitey Mitchell on bass, Maurice Marks on drums, and Joe Venuto on percussion) as they record the titles "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?", "Je Vous Adore", "This Time", and "No Moon At All" in New York City, New York. All takes from this session were rejected and will be re-recorded at later sessions.

1960 - Capitol Records artist Gene Vincent and Liberty Records artist Eddie Cochran appear together on ITV's pop show "Boy Meet Girl" in England

1961 - Buck Owens (on vocals and guitar) and Rose Maddox (on vocals), with George French Jr. on piano, Donald Eugene Ulrich aka Don Rich on guitar and fiddle, Ralph Eugene Mooney on steel guitar, Allen J. Williams on bass, and Marion Z. "Pee Wee" Adams on drums, record the titles "Loose Talk", "Mental Cruelty" and as yet unissued takes of the titles "Under The Influence Of Love" and "Talk Of The Town" at the Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 4550).

1963 - Vocal group The Kingston Trio (Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane, and John Stewart), with Glen Campbell on guitar and Dean Reilly on bass, record background titles for the title "Run The Ridges", then the vocal title for the same title, then the band title for the title "Try To Remember" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM and between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Run The Ridges" on the trio's album "The Kingston Trio #16" (T/ST 1871) and will record a new take of "Try To Remember" on January 28, 1963.

1963 - Freddy Martin conducts His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record a new take of the title "Sophisticated Lady" and the titles "Carrot Top" and "Pokie (Kid Stuff)" using arrangments by Jimmie Haskell, and the titles "Tonight We Love" and "It's Time For Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Sophisticated Lady" on Martin's album "In A Sentimental Mood" (T/ST 1889), "Carrot Top" and "It's Time For Love" together as a single (Capitol 4936), has yet to issue "Pokie (Kid Stuff)", and Showcase Records will issue "Tonight We Love" on the multi-artist three-disc album "Those Swingin' Days Of The Big Bands!" (SH-4405).

1963 - The Gateway Trio (lineup unlisted), with unlisted others, records the titles "red, Red Rosey Bush", "Freedom Bus Leave The Driving To Us", and "Night Herding Son" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

55 Years Ago Today In 1967 - Chris And Craig (vocalist Chris Ducey and Craig Smith), with unlisted others, record the as of yet unissued titles "Wings" and "Century Of Distance" for Capitol Records in Los Angeles, California.

1968 - Vocal group The Lettermen (Jim Pike, Tony Butala, and Bob Engemann), using arrangements by Perry Botkin, Jr. and Dick Hazard, record the titles "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "The Way Of The Loved", and "The End Of The World" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue the take of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" recorded at this session and "The Way Of Love" and, after overdubs are recorded on February 2, 1968, "The End Of The World" on the trio's album "Goin' Out Of My Head" (ST 2865).

1968 - Hears And Flowers (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Ode To A Tin Angel" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 2167) and on the group's album "Of Horses, Kids & Forgotten Women" (ST 2868).

1973 - Vocalist Merle Haggard and The Strangers (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)", "If We Make It Through December", and "I'll Break Out Tonight" in Nashville, Tennessee Capitol Records will issue "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" on Merle Haggard And The Strangers' album "I Love Dixie Blues" (ST-11149) and, after overdubs are recorded for "If We Make It Through December" on August 10, 1973, the final mix of that title and "I'll Break Out Tonight" on Haggard's album "If We Make It Through December" (ST-11276).

1975 - Paul McCartney and Wings arrive in New Orleans to begin sessions on their Capitol Records album "Venus and Mars" at Allen Toussaint's Sea Saint studios

1976 - Final overdubs are recorded for Natalie Cole's titles "Can We Get Together Again?", "No Plans For The Future", "Mr. Melody", "Hard To Get Along (Without You)", "Good Morning Heartache", "Keep Smiling", "Touch Me", "Not Like Mine", "Sophisticated Lady (She's A Different Lady)", and "Heaven Is With Me" at an unlisted location. Capitol Records will issue the final versions of all titles on Cole's album "Natalie" (ST-11517).

1978 - Vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, records the titles "I'd Rather Be Alone" and "Rhythm Rhapsody" at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I'd Rather Be Alone" as a single (Capitol 4555) and on Reddy's album "We'll Sing In The Sunshine" (SW-11759) and has yet to issue "Rhythm Rhapsody".

1978 - The Sylvers (lineup unlisted) record the titles "That's Why I'm Lovin' You", "Forever Yours", and "Come Dance With Me" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

1980 - Kenny Rogers' Capitol Records album "Kenny" is certified Gold and Platinum by the R.I.A.A.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

85 Years Ago Today In 1937 - Bob Bogle, bass guitarist and lead guitarist with the Dolton Records (a subsidiary of Liberty Records, whose catalog is currently owned by Capitol Records' parent company EMI Music) group The Ventures, is born Robert Lenard Bogle at his family's home near Wagoner, Oklahoma.

1938 - Future Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman, his orchestra, and his quartet, with future Capitol Records artist Martha Tilton supplying vocals, play Carnegie Hall for the first time at the venue's first Jazz and Swing concert. The performance is broadcasted by CBS Radio, transcribed, and later released on album and CD by Columbia Records. Anyone for a 12 plus minute version of "Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing")? Wow! It's my favorite Big Band title.

65 Years Ago Today In 1957 - The Cavern Club opens under Matthew Street in Liverpool, England.

50 Years Ago Today In 1972 - Ross Bagdasarian (aka David Seville), actor, songwriter, singer, record producer, creator (and voices) of the Liberty Records group The Chipmunks, dies at age 52 of a heart attack in Beverly Hills, California and is later cremated at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles, California.

1976 - The television variety show "Donny and Marie", starring future Capitol Records artists (as solo performers) Donny and Marie Osmond, debuts on ABC-TV

1980 - Paul McCartney is jailed in Tokyo, Japan, for possession of a half-pound of marijuana found in his luggage. He will spend ten days in jail before being thrown out of the country by the Japanese authorities, forcing the cancellation of his Japanese tour.

1988 - George Harrison's Dark Horse Records single "Got My Mind Set On You", with "Lay His Head" on the flipside and distributed by Warner Bros. Records in the United States, hits #1 on Billboard's Top 100 Singles chart setting a record for longest span between #1s (23 years and 11 months after The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" hit #1 in February 1964). Harrison's record will be broken the same year by Capitol Records artists The Beach Boys when their Elektra Records single "Kokomo" (from the soundtrack to the motion picture "Cocktail"), with Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" on the flipside, hits #1 on November 5, 1988 (24 years and 6 months after their Capitol Records single "I Get Around" hit #1 in May 1964).

1996 - Former Capitol Records artist Wayne Newton performs his 25,000th show in Las Vegas

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1884 - Irving Mills, agent and music publisher (including "Straighten Up And Fly Right"), is born in New York City, New York

1909 - Ethel Merman, Broadway, motion picture, and television actress and singer, is born Ethel Agnes Zimmerman in Astoria, New York

1921 - Charlie Chaplin's motion picture "The Kid", co-starring Jackie Coogan (later known for his role of Uncle Fester on the ABC-TV series "The Addams Family"), opens.