APRIL 1, 2022

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1910 - Harry Carney, s pianist, clarinet, alto and baritone saxophone player, and member of Capitol Records artist Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, is born in Boston, Massachusetts.

1928 - Jane Powell, singer, motion picture actress (including "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" with lyrics by Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer), and Capitol Records artist (soundtrack to the motion picture "3 Sailors And A Girl"), is born Suzanne Lorraine Burce in Portland, Oregon.

1951 - Henry Gross, a singer, songwriter, founding member of Sha Na Na, solo Capitol Records artist, is born in Brooklyn, New York.

50 Years Ago Today In 1972 - Allen and Albert Hughes, music video directors, filmmakers, and founders of Underworld Records (distributed by Capitol Records in 1993), are born in Detroit, Michigan.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

75 Years Ago Today In 1947 - At their last recording session for the Capitol Records Transcription Service, 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 bass saxophone, Bob Ahern on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), with vocalist June Christy and vocal group The Pastels (Margaret Dale, Wayne Howard, Jerry Packer, Jimmy Borland, and Don McLeod), record the titles "Artistry in Harlem Swing" using an arrangement by Gene Roland, "Please Be Kind" with vocals by June Christy and arranged by Pete Rugolo, "I've Got It Bad And That Aint Good" with vocals by Christy, without the saxophones, and arranged by Rugolo, "By The River of Ste. Marie" with vocals by The Pastels and arranged by Rugolo, "April In Paris" with vocals by The Pastels, using only the trombones and rhythm section, and arranged by Ken Hanna, "Don't Worry 'bout Me" with vocals by The Pastels and arranged by Rugolo, "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight" arranged by Rugolo, "Sophisticated Lady", and "The Fatal Apple (Unison Riff)" at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records Transcription Service will issue the first three titles on the disc B-331 and the last six titles on the disc B-332. Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the box set "The Complete Capitol Studio Recordings Of Stan Kenton" (MQ12-163 with 12 LPs on 12" vinyl and MD7-163 with 7 CDs). Unfortunately, only "Please Be Kind", "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good", "Sophisticated Lady", and "The Fatal Apple (Unison Riff)" are currently available on YouTube.

1953 - Capitol Records acquires Cetra-Soria's 1947-1953 library of complete Opera recordings from the label's founder, Dario Sorta, who had licensed the recording in the U.S. from the Italian label Cetra. Sorta and his wife, Dorle Jarmel Soria, will then become co-founders and co-managing directors of Angel Records in the United States, distributing classical recordings from Capitol Records' future parent company, EMI. In 1958, after EMI bought Capitol Records, the Soria's will sell Angel Records to Capitol.

1953 - Frank Sinatra is signed to Capitol Records by Alan Livingston with a one-year contract with no advance and has to cover his own recording costs. Sinatra angrily turns down the initial offering of A&R management by Dave Dexter, Jr., who had years earlier written some bad reviews of Sinatra for Down Beat Magazine, and instead is assigned to Voyle Gilmore who will eventually make Nelson Riddle Sinatra’s new arranger, ousting long-time Sinatra arranger Axel Stordahl.

1953 - During two sessions held this day in Chicago, Illinois, Trumpet player Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Pat Roberts, Darryl Campbell, Ray Triscari, and Dale Turner also on trumpets, Sy Berger, Vince Forrest, Ken Schrudder, and Dick Reynolds on trombones, Earl Bergman and Jim Schneider on clarinet and alto saxophone, Tom Loggia and Bill Usselton on tenor saxophones, Leo Anthony on baritone and alto saxophones, Dave Sills on piano, Earl Backus on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, and Archie Freeman on drums) record the titles "Another Dawn, Another Day" using an arrangement by George Williams, "When The Saints Go Marching In" with vocals by Ray Anthony and The Skyliners (lineup unlisted), and "That's My Weakness" with vocals by Jo Ann Greer and Marcie Miller at the first session and, using arrangements by George Williams, the titles "Adios" with vocals by Tommy Mercer and The Anthony Choir (lineup unlisted), "Over The Rainbow" with vocals by The Anthony Choir, "Sweet And Lovely" with vocals by Tommy Mercer and The Anthony Choir, and "Stairway To The Stars" with vocals by The Anthony Choir at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Another Dawn, Another Day" as a single (Capitol 2637) with "Sound Off" (recorded September 30, 1953) on the flipside, reject the take of "When The Saints Go Marching In" (a new take will be recorded on April 3, 1953), issue "That's My Weakness" as a single (Capitol 2488) with the new take of "When The Saints Go Marching In" on the flipside, and all the titles from the second session on the album "The Anthony Choir with Ray Anthony And His Orchestra" (EAP-1/2/3-442 on 7" EPs, EBF-442 on two-disc 7" EP set, H-442 on 10" LP, and T 422 on 12" LP).

1958 - Trumpet player Harry James and His Orchestra (Harry James, Nick Buono, Ollie Mitchell, and Bob Rolfe also on trumpets, Bob Edmondson and Ray Sims on trombones, Ernie Tack on bass trombones, Herb Lorden and Willie Smith on alto saxophones, Bob Poland and Sam Firmature on tenor saxophones, Ernie Small on baritone saxophone, Jack Perciful on piano, Dennis Budimir on guitar, Russ Phillips on bass, and Jackie Mills on drums) record the titles "Here's One" and "On The House" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on James' album "The New James" (EAP-2-1037 on 7" EP and T/ST 1037 on 12" LP).

1958 - Vocalist Bob Luman, with Jackie Kelso on tenor saxophone and unlisted lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums players, records the titles "Everybody's Talkin'", "Chain Of Love", "I Know My Baby Cares", and "Try Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I Know My Baby Cares" and "Try Me" together as a single (Capitol F3972). Rockstar Records will issue all the titles in England on Luman's compilation album "Try Me" (RSLP1015) and Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on Luman's compilation album "Carnival Rock" (BFX 15345).

1958 - During three sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Otto Cesana, with unlisted others, records the titles "Let's Go", "Serenade", "Desiderio", and "Lover's Waltz" at the first session, the titles "Recollection", "Punch And Judy", "Torment", and "Ennui" at the second session, and the titles "Contentment", "Remembrance", "Forsaken", and "Tally-Ho" at the third session for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1958 - During two sessions held in Studio A of Capitol Records' studios in New York City, New York, harpist Marcel Grandjany records De Falla's "Jota" and Albeniz's "Torre Bermeja" at the first session, and Padre Antonio Soler's "Sonata In A Minor" and Antonio De Cabezon's "Diferencias Sobre El Canto LLano Del Caballero" and "Cancion De Cuna" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Grandjany's album "El Amor D'España" (P-8473).

1958 - The Louvin Brothers (Charlie Louvin on vocals and guitar and Ira Louvin on vocals), with Marvin H. Hughes on piano, Paul Yandell, Walter Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland Wilson, and Ray Edenton also on guitars, Roy M. "Junior" Huskey Jr. on bass, and Murray M. "Buddy" Harman Jr. on drums, record the titles "My Baby's Gone", "She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone", "My Baby Came Back", and "Are You Wasting My Time" in Nashville, Tennesse. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on the brothers' album "My Baby's Gone" (T 1385), "My Baby's Gone" as a single (F4055) with "Lorene" (recorded August 4, 1958) on the flipside, "She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone" and "My Baby Came Back" together as a single (Capitol F3974), and "Are You Wasting My Time" on the brothers' album "Country Love Ballads" (EAP-1-1106 on 7" EP and T 1106 on 12" LP).

1963 - Pianist Cy Coleman, with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Conrad Gozzo, Uan Rasey, and Bud Brisbois on trumpets, Francis "Joe" Howard, Milt Bernhart, Ed Kusby, and George Roberts on trombones, Justin Gordon, Ted Nash, and Wilbur Schwartz on woodwinds, Ben Tucker on bass, and Bob Thomas, Irving Cottler, and Larry Bunker on drums), records a new take of the title "The Best Is Yet To Come", the title "Hey, Look Me Over", new takes of the titles "The Riviera" and "Brassmen's Holiday", and the title "You Fascinate Me So" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:30 PM and 1:30 AM on April 2, 1963. Capitol Records will issue all the titles recorded at this session on Coleman's album "The Piano Witchcraft Of Cy Coleman" (T/ST 1952) and a revised version of the album released by Capitol Records Special Markets entitled "Piano Witchcraft" (SM-11985).

1968 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Jimmy Jones conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, Dick Nash, Tom Shepard, Bill Tole on trombones, Ken Shroyer on bass trombone, Bud Shank on reeds, Don Trenner on piano, Herb Ellis and Al Hendrickson on guitars, Buster Williams on bass, Earl Palmer on drums, Larry Bunker on percussion, Ann Stockton on harp and electric harp, and a string section with unlisted musicians on ten violins, three violas, two cellos, and 1 bass), records the titles "Wave", "The Look Of Love", "Make Me Rainbows", and "When I Look In Your Eyes" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Miss Wilson's album "Easy" (ST 2909). 

1968 - The Beach Boys (lineup unlisted) record the title "Meant For You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Friends" (ST 2895).

1968 - Conductor Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Medley #4" and "Medley #5" in Las Vegas, Nevada for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.

1969 - The Beach Boys sue Capitol Records for $2,041,446.64 in royalties and producer's fees for Brian Wilson. The band also announces it's starting its own label, Brothers Records.

1973 - Freddie Hart's Capitol Records single "Super Kind Of Woman", with "Mother Nature Made A Believer Out Of Me" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1973 - John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr announce that they have split with manager Al Klein, whose contract with them and Apple Records had ended the day before, March 31, 1973.

1973 - Vocalist Red Simpson, with unlisted others, records the titles "Awful Lot To Learn About Truck Drivin'", "You Still Got A Hold On Me", "Gas, Food and Lodging", and "Feeling Like Tarzan" in Portland, Oregon with producer Gene Breeden. After Capitol Records purchases the masters and registers them on April 23, 1973, it will issue "Awful Lot To Learn About Truck Drivin'" and "You Still Got A Hold On Me" together as a single (Capitol 3616) and has yet to issue either of the last two titles.

1978 - The Lost Gonzo Band (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Beacon In The Night", "Santa Cruz (After The Nick Of Time)", "Since You Been Gone", "Riding", "Everybody Knows This Ain't Art", "Getaway", "London Homesick Blues", "The Winner", "Signs Of Life", and "Feelin' My Way" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records all the titles on the album "Signs Of Life" (SW-11788).

1978 - John "Moon" Martin, with unlisted others, records the title "All I've Got To Do" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title Martin's album "Shots From A Cold Nightmare" (SW-11787).

1978 - Vocalist Hank Cochran, with Willie Nelson and unlisted others, records the titles "Willie", "Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine", "Whatcha Think About That", "I'm Behind The Bottle", "Am I Gonna Have To Burn Atlanta Down", "Ain't Life Hell", "Uphill All The Way", "He Ain't Country", "I'm Going With You This Time", and "Too Late" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Cochran's album "With A Little Help From His Friends" (ST-11807), "Willie" and "Uphill All The Way" together as a single (Capitol 4585) and "Ain't Life Hell" and "I'm Going With You This Time" together as a single (Capitol 4635).

1998 - Capitol Records gets many calls after an April Fool's prank takes place on L.A. station KROQ-FM's "Kevin & Bean" morning show. What seemed like a fistfight takes place between the hosts and Radiohead's Thom Yorke after jibes about Yorke's lazy eye. In fact, Yorke is not even in the Los Angeles studio. He was played by "'Kevin And Bean"'s voice guy Ralph Garman, along with edits from a couple of acoustic numbers Radiohead had recorded in the KROQ studio on a previous visit. Many thanks to Bean for the accurate information about this prank.

2004 - Paul Atkinson, veteran record executive, VP of A&R Catalog at Capitol Records, and guitarist for The Zombies, dies in his sleep after a long battle with cancer and kidney disease at age 58.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1961 - Guitarist Grant Green, with Ben Tucker on bass and Dave Bailey on drums, records the titles "No. 1 Green Street", "'Round About Midnight", "Grant's Dimensions", "Green With Envy", and "Alone Together" for his second Blue Note Records album "Green Street".

1963 - Trumpet player Kenny Dorham, with Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Anthony Williams on drums, records the titles "Sao Paulo", "Straight Ahead", "Una Mas (One More Time)", and "If I Ever Would Leave You" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue the first three titles on Dorham's album "Una Mas" (BLP4127 in mono and BST84127 in stereo) and all the titles on the CD issue of the album (7-46515-2).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1883 - Lon Chaney, Sr., a motion picture actor who would regularly give rides to extras waiting at the corner of Hollywood and Vine (with a few reports of it happening even after his death), is born Leonidas Frank Chaney in Colorado Springs, Colorado.