FEBRUARY 27, 2022

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1943 - Kendell Kardt, songwriter, poet, author, singer, pianist, guitarist, organist, composer, arranger, and a member of the Capitol Records group Rig (1970) is born Kendell Rudolph Bernard Kardt in Brooklyn, New York.

1944 - Gene Price, bass player, vocalist, songwriter,  a member of Merle Haggard's backing band The Strangers, and a Capitol Records solo artist (1969) (aka Willard Eugene Price and Willard E. Price) is born in Shamrock, Texas.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

75 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Pianist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ray Wetzel, Chico Alvarez, John Anderson, and Ken Hanna on trumpets, Kai Winding, Skip Layton, Milt Bernhart, and Harry Forbes on trombones, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, Eddie Meyers and Boots Mussulli on alto saxophones, Vido Musso and Bob Cooper on tenor saxophones, Bob Gioga on baritone saxophone, Bob Ahern on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), using arrangements by Pete Rugolo, record the titles "Collaboration" and, in two parts, "Rhythm Incorporated (Capitol Punishment)" in Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California for AFRS Program #231 with Kenton sharing master of ceremonies duties with Gene Norman. Capitol Records will issue both parts of "Rhythm Incorporated (Capitol Punishment)" on Kenton's album "Stan Kenton Encores" (T 155). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the box set "The Complete Capitol Studio Recordings of Stan Kenton 1943-47" (MQ12-163 on vinyl and MD7-163 on CD). Unfortunately, the version of "Collaboration" recorded for this radio show is not currently available on YouTube but the studio version, recorded on February 28, 1947, is available.

75 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Clarinetist Benny Goodman, vocalist Fred Astaire, and unlisted other musicians record the title "The Astaire" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue the title. Sepia Records issued the title in 2011 as a bonus track on the 2 disc CD set "Three Evenings With Fred Astaire" (Sepia 1168). The song was written to help promote Astaire's recently opened chain of dance studios, one of which will open on the top floor of the Gogerty Building at the southeast corner of Vine Street and Yucca Street in Hollywood, right next to the future location of The Capitol Tower. The building will later be purchased by EMI and, after gutting the interior, turned into new offices for the company.

1951 - Capitol Records registers the master it purchased of Les Paul's title "Walkin' And Whistlin' Blues" in Los Angeles, California and will issue the title as a single (Capitol 1451) with Les Paul and Mary Ford's title "How High The Moon" (master purchased in January 1951) on the flipside.

70 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Pianist Ben Light, with unlisted organ, guitar, bass, and drums players, records the titles "Mistakes", "I Cried For You", "Orchids In The Moonlight", and "Sweet Sue, Just You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Mistakes" as a single (Capitol 2023), "I Cried For You" and "Orchids In The Moonlight" together as a single (Capitol 2100), and "Sweet Sue, Just You" as a single (Capitol 2232).

70 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Billy May conducts his own arrangements for his own music to the orchestra (Conrad Gozzo, Walter "Pete" Candoli, and Uan Rasey on trumpets, Si Zentner and Ed Kusby on trombones, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Jules Kinsler, Jules Jacob, and Fred Falensby on woodwinds, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Al Hendrickson on guitar, Phil Stephens on bass, John Cyr on drums, Kathryn Thompson on harp, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, and Felix Slatkin on violins, David Sterkin on viola, and Cy Bernard on cello) as it records the titles "Bongo, The Circus Bear" in two parts and "Little Hiawatha" in two parts at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. After Don Wilson records narration overdubs for both titles and Daws Butler, June Foray, and Billy Bletcher record vocals for "Bongo, The Circus Bear" on March 6, 1952, using a script adapted by Alan Livingston, Capitol Records will issue both parts of "Bongo, The Circus Bear" on the children's album of the same name (CAS-3132) and both parts of "Little Hiawatha" on the children's album of the same name (CAS-3136).

1953 - Vocalists Tennessee Ernie Ford and Molly Bee, with Cliffie Stone's Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Don't Start Courtin' In A Hot Rod" and "We're A Growin' Up" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2473).

1953 - An unlisted musician playing the Wurlitzer Band Organ, records the titles "National Emblem March", "Skaters Waltz", "Hands Across The Sea", "Impassioned Dream", "With Trumpet And Drum", "Sobre Las Olas (Over The Waves)", "The Diplomat", "My Treasure Waltz", "American Beauty March", "Valse Blue", "Royal Trumpeters March", "Vienna Blood", "Lights Out", "Santiago Valse", "Ben-Hur Chariot Race March", "Ciribiribin", "Liberty Bell", "Espanita", "Sharpshooter March", "Kiss Waltz", "Officer Of The Day March", "Wedding Of The Winds", "Stars And Stripes Forever", "Artists' Life", "Through The Years", "Beautiful Blue Danube", "Our Director", "Love's Dream" and "The Thunderer" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1953 - Lead guitarist Jimmy Heap and His Melody Masters (Arlie Carter on piano, Horace Barnett on rhythm guitar, Cecil R. "Butterball" Harris on steel guitar, and Bill Glendening on bass), with Houston "Perk" Williams on fiddle, record the titles "Release Me", Just To Be With You", and "Cat'n Around", all with Perk Williams also on vocals, and the title "Make Me Live Again" with vocals by Bill Glendening in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "Release Me" and "Just To Be With You" together as a single (Capitol 2518), "Cat'n Around" and "Make Me Live Again" together as a single (Capitol 2636), and "Release Me" on the 45 RPM EP "Jimmy Heap & Perk Williams" (EAP-1-606).

1954 - Hank Thompson's Capitol Records single "Wake Up, Irene", with "Go Cry Your Heart Out" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1956 - Clarinetist Les Brown and His Band of Renown (Wes Hensel, Don Paladino, Stan Stout, and Don Fagerquist on trumpets, Ray Sims, Bob Burgess, and Bob Pring on trombone, Stumpy Brown on bass trombone, Ronnie Lang on flute and alto saxophone, Sol Libero on alto saxophone, Billy Usselton on tenor saxophone, Abe Aaron on tenor and baritone saxophones, Butch Stone on baritone saxophone and vocals, Don Trenner on piano, Vernon Polk on guitar, Buddy Clark on bass, and Lloyd Morales on drums), record an as yet unissued take of the title "Pink Coats" and the title "Harlem Nocturne" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Harlem Nocturne" on Brown's album "Les Brown's In Town" (T 746).

1956 - Vocalist Stan Freberg, with Billy May directing His Music (Justin Gordon on saxophone, Paul Smith on piano, Phil Stephens on bass, Lou Singer on drums, and Ann Stockton on harp), records the titles "The Quest For Bridey Hammerschlauger" with additional vocals by June Foray and "The Great Pretender" with additional vocals by The Toads (lineup unlisted) in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street In Hollywood, California. The takes of both titles recorded on this date were rejected and both titles will be re-recorded on March 5, 1956.

1956 - The Five Keys (Rudy West on lead vocals, Ripley Ingram on tenor vocals, Maryland Pierce and Ramon Loper on baritone vocals, and Bernie West on bass vocals), with Howard Biggs and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "I Dreamt I Dwelt In Heaven", "She's The Most", "That's Right", and "Boom-Boom" at Capitol Records' studios in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol F3392), "That's Right" as a single (Capitol F3502) with "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" (recorded June 26, 1956) on the flipside, and "Boom Boom" as a single (Capitol F3786) with "The Face Of An Angel" (recorded January 14, 1957) on the flipside.

1956 - Carmen Dragon conducts The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Mijail Glinka's "Jota Aragonesa" and an as yet unissued take of Bizet's "Gypsy Dance (Chanson Boheme) (From 'Carmen')" on Stage 7 at the Samuel Goldwyn Studios on North Formosa Avenue at Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Jota Aragonesa" on the orchestra's album "Fiesta!" (P-8335).

65 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Vocalist and guitarist Sonny James, with Bob Bain and Alvis "Buck" Owens also on guitar, Rolly Bundock on bass, and Roy Harte on drums, records the titles "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" and "Baby You Melt My Heart" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" on James' album "This Is Sonny James!" (T 1178). Bear Family Records will issue both titles in Germany in the six-CD box set "Sonny James - Young Love" (BCD 16373).

1958 - The George Shearing Quintet (Emil Richards on vibraphones, George Shearing on piano, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass, and Percy Brice on drums) with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to His Orchestra (Vincent De Rosa on French horn, Arthur Gleghorn on flute, Wilbur Schwartz and Jules Jacob on clarinets, Victor Garber on bassoon, Verlye Mills on harp and a string section with Jacques Gasselin, Ben Gill, Murray Kellner, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Eudice Shapiro, and Marshall Sosson on violins, Paul Robyn, David Sterkin, and Virginia Majewski on viola, and Armand Kaproff, Raphael Kramer, and Edgar Lustgarten on cellos), records the titles "I Love You", "Nocturne", "Kinda Cute", "Welcome To My Dream" and a new take of "Later" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except for the take of "Later" recorded at this session which remains unissued, on the album "Blue Chiffon" (T/ST 1124) as by The George Shearing Quintet And Orchestra.

1958 - The Four Preps (Bruce Belland and Don Clarke on tenor vocals, Glen Larson on baritone vocals, and Ed Cobb on bass vocals) with Lincoln Mayorga conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Dudley Brooks on piano, Otis "Joe" Maphis and Leon Silby on guitar, Enos "Skeets" McDonald and Dale Warren on bass, and Marion "Pee Wee" Adams on drums), record the titles "Big Man" and "Stop Baby" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Capitol Records has yet to issue the take of "Stop Baby" recorded at this session and will issue "Big Man" as a single (Capitol F3960) with a new take of "Stop Baby" recorded on February 28, 1958, on the flipside, both also on the group's 45 RPM EP "Big Man" (EAP-1-1064), and "Big Man" on the group's 12" LP "Early In The Morning" (T/DT 1291).

1961 - Billy May and Charley Barnet, using May's arrangements, direct The Kon-Tiki's (Vincent De Rosa, John Cave, James Decker, and William Hinshaw on French horns, Charlie Barnet, Wilbur Schwartz, Justin Gordon, and Ted Nash on saxophones, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson, and Alvino Rey on guitar, Ralph Pena on bass, Frank Flynn, Irving Cottler, and Emil Richards on drums) as they record the title "Sand In My Shoes", as yet unissued take of the title "Return To Paradise" with vocalist Marni Nixon, the titles "Little Island" and "Beyond The Reef" and incomplete and as yet unissued takes of the titles "Beyond The Reef" and "In My Shoes" at The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. After re-naming the orchestra to The Out-Islanders, Capitol Records will issue "Sand In My Shoes", "Little Island" and "Beyond The Reef" on the group's album "Polynesian Fantasy" (ST-1595).

60 Years Ago Today In 1962 - At two sessions held this day in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California, vocalist Tennessee Ernie Ford, with Jack Fascinato conducting the orchestra and chorus (lineups unlisted), records the titles "Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord", "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", "Peace In The Valley", "I Want To Be Ready", and "I Know The Lord Laid His Hands On Me" at the first session and the titles "Wayfaring Pilgrim", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", "When God Dips His Love In My Heart", "He'll Understand And Say Well Done", "Stand By Me", "Get On Board, Little Children", and "Were You There?" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ford's album "Spirituals" (ST 818).

60 Years Ago Today In 1962 - The Journeymen (John Phillips and Scott McKenzie on vocals and guitars, and Dick Weissman on guitar and banjo) record the titles "Don't Turn Around", "Rock Island Line", "I Will Never Marry", and "Hush Now Sally" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Don't Turn Around" and "Hush Now Sally" together as a single (Capitol 4737), "I Will Never Marry" as a single (Capitol 4943), and have yet to issue "Rock Island Line".

60 Years Ago Today In 1962 - The Galaxies (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Why Does It Hurt so, "Just Another Date", and "Little Man" in New York City, New York for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1963 - A session scheduled in Los Angeles, California for vocalists Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) to record the titles "He", "All Thru The Night", "Somebody Bigger Than You And I", "Shepherd Show Me How To Go", and "Oh Holy Morning" for Capitol Records was canceled and the titles will be recorded at two later sessions.

1963 - Capitol Records purchases the masters for Jay Lewis' titles "Love Her", "Had It Not Been For Love", and "I Understand", will issue "Love Her" and "Had It Not Been For Love" together as a single (Capitol 4957) and has yet to issue "I Understand".

1963 - Violinist Nathan Milstein, with unlisted others, records the final parts of Vivaldi's "Concerto In D Major" (the other parts were recorded on February 26, 1963) and all of Vivaldi's "Concerto In A Major" in New York City, New York. Angel Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, will issue the complete "Concerto In D Major" as well as "Concerto In A Major" on the album "VIVALDI - Concerto In D Major/Concerto In A Major" (S-36004).

1964 - The Beatles record the titles "If I Fell", "Tell Me Why", and "And I Love Her" in Abbey Road Studios in London England. Capitol Records will issue all the titles in the United States on the group's album "Something New" (T/ST 2108).

1965 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Eight Days A Week", with "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts.

1966 - Conductor Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) record the titles "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "On The Street Where You Live", "Make Someone Happy", and an as yet unissued take of the titles "C'est La Vie" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Lombardo's album "Lombardo's Hideaway" (T 2559).

55 Years Ago Today In 1967 - Vocalist Fred Neil, with unlisted others, records the titles "Dreamer's Dream", "Endless Dream", and "Sweet Mama" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

55 Years Ago Today In 1967 - Vocalist Wayne Newton, with unlisted others, records the titles "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", "Monday, Monday", "Strangers In The Night", "Green, Green Grass of Home", "Winchester Cathedral", and "Georgy Girl" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" and "Strangers In The Night" on Newton's album "Song Of The Year" (T/ST 2714) and "Monday, Monday", "Green, Green Grass of Home", "Winchester Cathedral", and "Georgy Girl" on Newton's album "The Greatest Wayne Newton" (ST 2847).

55 Years Ago Today In 1967 - The Pink Floyd (Syd Barrett on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and lead vocals, Richard Wright on Farfisa organ and backing vocals, Roger Waters on bass guitar, and Nick Mason on drums) record new takes of the titles "Arnold Layne", "Candy And A Current Bun", "Interstellar Overdrive", and "Chapter 24" at Abbey Road Studios in London, England with producer Norman Smith. It's listed that Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, will issue the takes of "Arnold Layne" and "Candy And A Current Bun" recorded on this date together as the group's first single to be released in The United States (Tower 333) but other sources have said the label may have instead used the original takes recorded on January 29, 1967. Tower Records will issue the takes of "Interstellar Overdrive" and "Chapter 24" recorded on this date on the group's album "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" (ST 5093).

1968 - Vocalist and guitarist Buck Owens and His Buckaroos (lineup unlisted) record the titles "All I Want For Christmas Is My Daddy" and "Christmas Shopping" in the Buck Owens Studio in Bakersfield, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the album "Christmas Shopping" (ST 2977) and "Christmas Shopping" as a single (Capitol 2328) with "One Of Everything You've Got" (recorded February 28, 1968) on the flipside.

50 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "It’s Just a Matter of Time", with "The World Is Ours" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1973 - Joanie Sommers, with unlisted others, records the titles "Together Alone", "What Can I Give You", "You're Leavin' Me", and "Who Were You" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1973 - Vocalist Al Martino, with unlisted others, records overdubs for the titles "To Get To You", "She's Got To Be A Saint", "There Goes My Everything", "Carolyn", "Heaven Is My Woman's Love", "Eleven Roses", "I'd Fight The World", "Sweet Memories", and "I Fall To Pieces" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "To Get To You", "There Goes My Everything", "Carolyn", "Heaven Is My Woman's Love", and "Eleven Roses" on Martino's album "Country Style" (ST-11184) and have yet to issue any of the other titles, including "I Fall To Pieces" which had another session of overdubs on February 28, 1973.

1976 - Gene Watson records the titles "When My World Left Town", "Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall", "I Fell Apart" and "He Little Thinged Her Out Of My Arms" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Watson's album "Because You Believed In Me" (ST-11529) and the last title on his album "Gene Watson's Beautiful Country" (ST-11715).
40 Years Ago Today In 1978 - Vocalist and guitarist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the titles "When Can Brown Begin", "Hound Dog Man", "It's Easy Once You Know", and "Roll On Brother" at the Studio City studios in Sherman Oaks, California. Capitol Records will issue "Hound Dog Man" as a single (Capitol 4769) with "My Tennessee Home" (recorded November 8, 1978) on the flipside, on Campbell's album "Highwayman" (SOO-12008), and has yet to issue any of the remaining titles.

1979 - Peabo Bryson's Capitol Records album "Crosswinds" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1981 - Jay Ferguson records the titles "Tonite (Fallin' For Ya)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 511) with "Empty Sky" (recorded April 2, 1981) on the flipside and on Ferguson's album "White Noise" (ST-12196).

1986 - Marie Osmond's Capitol Records single "There's No Stopping Your Heart", with "Blue Sky Shinin'" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1986 - In Buffalo, New York, Capitol Records band Marillion begin their first major U.S. tour.

35 Years Ago Today In 1987 - Vocalist Martha Davis, with unlisted others, records the titles "Hardest Part Of A Broken Heart" and "Troubled Child" for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1923 - Dexter Gordon, saxophone player, motion picture actor, and Blue Note Records artist is born Dexter Keith Gordon in Los Angeles, California.

1943 - According to an ad placed in the February 13, 1943 issue of The Billboard magazine by their General Amusement Corp. manager, Gene Andes, Decca Recording (and future Capitol Records group) act The King Cole Trio, after 32 weeks at the 331 Club in Hollywood, California, will open on this day at The Beachcomber Room of The Cinema Grill at 1414 Farnam Street in Omaha, Nebraska for what turns out to be an eight-week stay.

1953 - The Wade Legge Trio (Wade Legge on piano, Lewis Hackney on bass, and Al Jones on drums) records the titles "Perdido", "Dream A Little Of Me", "Wade Leg's lues", "A Swedish Folksong", "Dance Of The Infidels", "Aren't You Glad You're You", "These Foolish Things", and "Why Don't You Believe Me" in Paris, France for the Vogue label. Blue Note Records will lease the masters to the session and release them in the United States on the album "New Faces - New Sounds: Wade Legge Trio" (BLP5031).

1960 - Paul Humphreys, the keyboard player for the Virgin Records group Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (aka OMD) is born in London, England.

1963 - Vocalist Sarah Vaughan, with Marty Manning conducting his own arrangments to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the title "Star Eyes" in New York City, New York for Roulette Records. After EMI acquires the Roulette library, Blue Note Records will issue the title on the CD "Jazz Profile - Sarah Vaughan" (9-23517-2).

1964 - The Beatles record the titles "Tell Me Why", "I'll Cry Instead", and "If I Fell" at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London England with producer George Martin and engineers Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick for their United Artists Records soundtrack album to their first film "A Hard Day's Night". Capitol Music Group's parent company EMI Music Group currently owns the United Artists catalog.

1965 - Shirley Bassey's United Artists single "Goldfinger", with "Strange How Love Can Be" enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart.

20 Years Ago Today In 2002 - Spike Milligan, comedian, writer, radio, television, and motion-picture actor, and Parlophone Records artist as part of "The Goon Show", dies at age 83.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1955 - Billboard magazine announces that, for the first time, seven-inch 45 rpm singles are outselling 78s in the United States.

1988 - Gene De Paul, songwriter, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song in 1941 for "Hellzapoppin", collaborated with lyricist and Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer on the M-G-M motion picture musical "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" and the Broadway musical "Li'l Abner", dies in Los Angeles, California at age 68 and is later interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Hollywood Hills, California.