APRIL 10, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

85 Years Ago Today In 1940 - Clark Maffitt, vocalist, guitarist, and a Capitol Records artist as part of the duo Maffitt/Davies, is born Floyd Clark Maffitt in Shenandoah, Iowa.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - Pianist and vocalist Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm (Ulysses Livingstone on guitar, Billy Hadnott on bass, and Lee Young on drums) record the titles "The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)", "Hurry On Down", "The Lady's In Love With You", and "You Better Watch Yourself, Bub" at Radio Recorders' Studio B in Los Angeles, California between 2:00 PM and 4:45 PM. Capitol Records will issue "The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)" on Lutcher's album "Nellie Lutcher & Her Rhythm" (CC-70), "Hurry On Down" and "The Lady's In Love With You" as a single (Capitol Americana 40002), and "You Better Watch Yourself, Bub" as a single (Capitol Americana 40042) with "My Mother's Eyes" (recorded April 30, 1947) on the flipside.

1947 - Margaret Whiting, with Frank De Vol and His Orchestra, records the titles "Ask Anyone Who Knows", "Old Devil Moon", "Thou Swell", and "This Can't Be Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Ask Anyone Who Knows" and "Old Devil Moon" together as a single (Capitol 410) and "Thou Swell" and "This Can't Be Love" on Whiting's self-titled album "Margaret Whiting" (BD-51).
Here's a version of "This Can't Be Love" with Margaret and Lou Busch
Here's a version of "This Can't Be Love" with Frank Sinatra

1948 - It's a Saturday in Chicago, Illinois and for the final episode of NBC-Radio's "King Cole Trio Time", with announcer Dave Garroway and Cole back from his honeymoon, the trio (Nat "King" Cole on vocals and piano, Johnny Miller on bass, and Irving Ashby on guitar) is augmented with a special instrumental group of Chicago musicians featuring strings, French horn, oboe, clarinet, and harp as they perform "I've Only Myself To Blame" and "Nature Boy". Also, because of the AFM's musicians strike Frank Sinatra, with Jeff Alexander's chorus, record an acapella cover version of "Nature Boy" for Columbia Records to try to cash in on the success of Cole's unexpected hit version.

1952 - Kay Starr's Capitol Records single "Wheel of Fortune", with "Angry" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Pop singles charts.

1953 - M-G-M releases the movie "Small Town Girl" starring Jane Powell, Farley Granger, and Ann Miller and featuring musical performances of "My Flaming Heart" and "I Just Love You" by Nat "King" Cole.

1953 - Pianist Joe "Fingers" Carr, with vocalist Barbara Carr, vocal group The Carr-Hopps, and an orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Mexican Joe" and "Here Comes My Daddy, Now!" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2463).

1956 - Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole is badly beaten up on stage by a white supremacist group, in front of a white audience, in Birmingham, Alabama.

1957 - Vocalist Frank Sinatra, with Gordon Jenkins conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Vincent De Rosa, Arthur Frantz, and John Cave on French horns, Dent Eckles on flute, Wayne Songer on clarinet, Willie Schwartz on woodwinds, Jack Shaney on bassoon, Matty Matlock on baritone saxophone, Bill Miller on piano, Allan Reuss on guitar, Jack Ryan on bass, Nick Fatool on drums, Kathryn Julye on harp and a string section with Victor Arno, Harry Bluestone, Samuel Cytron, Kurt Dieterle, Walter Edelstein, Ben Gill, Murray Kellner, Sol Kindler, Dan Lube, Joseph Livoti, Erno Neufeld, Nicholas Pisani, Joseph Quadri, Mischa Russell, Felix Slatkin, and Marshall Sosson on violins, William Baffa, Ray Menhennick, Paul Robyn, and David Sterkin on viola, Cy Bernard and Armand Kaproff on cello), records the titles "Where Is The One?", "There's No You", "The Night We Called It A Day", "Autumn Leaves" and an alternate take of "Autumn Leaves" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Where Is The One?", "There's No You", "The Night We Called It A Day", and "Autumn Leaves" on Sinatra's album "Where Are You?" (W 855) and "Where Is The One?", "There's No You", "The Night We Called It A Day", and the alternate take of "Autumn Leaves" on the stereo version of the album (SW 855).

1958 - "St. Louis Blues", the biopic of Blues and religious song composer W.C. Handy, has its official world premiere in Saint Louis, Missouri which is also a benefit for St. Louis Variety Tent's special charity, needy children. The premiere is attended by the movie's star Nat "King" Cole and is the beginning of a cross-country personal appearance tour by Cole to promote the film. The city's mayor, Raymond R. Tucker, declares the date "William Christopher Handy Day" in honor of the composer.

1958 - Vocalist Wanda Jackson, with "Big" Al Downing on piano, Merrill Moore on piano and organ, Vernon Sandusky on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, Skeets McDonald on bass, and Joe Brawley on drums, records the titles "Mean Mean Man", "Rock Your Baby", "A Date With Jerry", "Our Song", and "You've Turned To A Stranger" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Mean Mean Man" and "Our Song" together as a single (Capitol F4026), "Rock Your Baby" as a single (Capitol F4081) with "Sinful Heart" (recorded April 9, 1958) on the flipside, "A Date With Jerry" as a single (Capitol F4207) with "You're The One For Me" (recorded December 2 and 3, 1958) on the flipside, and "You've Turned To A Stranger" as a single (Capitol F4142) with "Savin' My Love" (recorded December 2, 1958) on the flipside.

1958 - Freddie Martin conducts His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Moon Love"< "Swedish Rhapsody", "Our Love"< "Symphonie Moderne", and "Autumn Concerto" in Los  Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Martin and his orchestra's album "Concerto!" (EAP-1/2/3-1066 on 7" EPs and W/SW 1066 on 12" vinyl).

1958 - During two sessions held this day in 1958 at City Auditorium in Houston, Texas, Leopold Stokowski conducts The Houston Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as the record parts of Shostakovich's "Symphony N° 11" at both sessions. After the rest of the parts are recorded on April 11 and 12, 1958, Capitol Records will issue the entire piece in the two-LP set "SHOSTAKOVICH - Symphony N° 11, Opus 103" (PBR/SPBR-8448) as by the Houston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

1961 - Capitol Records releases Rose Maddox and Buck Owens' single "Mental Cruelty" with "Loose Talk" on the flipside.

1963 - The Journeymen (John Phillips and Scott McKenzie on vocals and guitar and Dick Weissman on guitar and banjo) record the titles "Someone To Tell My Troubles To", "All The Pretty Little Horses", "Four Strong Winds", and "Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on the group's album "New Directions In Folk Music" (T/ST 1951) and on the CD "Capitol Collectors Series -The Journeymen" (7-98536-2). "Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad" is still unissued.

1963 - Bandleader and trumpet player Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Lewis McCreary on trombone, Bob Hardaway on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Kellie Green on piano, Don Simpson on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums) and a vocal chorus (lineup unlisted), using arrangments by Don Simpson, record the titles "Cast Your Fate To The Wind", "Meditation", "Our Day Will Come", "Love For Sale", "Walk Right In", and "Preacher Man" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Anthony and his orchestra's album "Smash Hits Of '63" (T/ST 1917).

1963 - Capitol Records purchases the masters for Jay Lewis' titles "Should I Come Back?", "Tell Us What Went Wrong", and "I Think It's Me" in Los Angeles, California, and will issue "Should I Come Back?" and "Tell Us What Went Wrong" together as a single (Capitol 5095) and has yet to issue "I Think It's Me".

1964 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' album "The Beatles' Second Album".

60 Years Ago Today In 1965 - Freddie and The Dreamers' Tower Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) single "I'm Telling You Now", with "What Have I Done To You?" on the flipside, is still #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1967 - Merle Haggard records the title "Branded Man" which will be the title track for his 1967 Capitol Records album and released by Capitol as a single with "You Don't Have Very Far To Go (1967 version)" on the flipside.

1967 - Paul McCartney visits a Beach Boys' recording session, producing the title "Vegetables".

1968 - The Sugar Shoppe (Peter Mann on vocal and guitar, Laurie Hood on vocals, Victor Garber on vocals and guitar, and Lee Harris on vocals), with The Clique (Al Casey, Al Viola, Howard Robert, Louis Morrell, and Mike Deasy on guitars, Bill Plummer on sitar, Lewis Carroll on trumpet, Lew McCreary and Louis Blackburn on trombones, Abe Most, Jim Horn, and Plas Johnson on saxophones, Al De Lory, Larry Knechtel, and Michael Rubini on pianos and keyboards, Gary Coleman on vibraphone, and percussion, Carol Kaye and Don Bagley on basses, Earl Palmer and Stan Levey on drums, Hal Blaine on drums, vibraphone, and percussion, Stella Castellucci on harp) and a string section (Alfred Lastgarten, Arnold Belnick, Harry Hyams, Henry Roth, Israel Baker, James Getzoff, Marshall Sasson, Nathan Ross, Sam Boghossian, and William Hymanson on violins and violas, and Anne Goodman, Armand Kaproff, Frederick Seykora, and Nathan Gershman on cellos) using vocal arrangments by Peter Mann and instrumental arrangements by Mort Garson, record the titles "Take Me Away", "Poor Papa", and "Papa, Won't You Let Me Go To Town With You" in Los Angeles, California with producer Al De Lory. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "The Sugar Shoppe" (ST 2925) and "Poor Papa" also as a single (Capitol 2326) with "Privilege (From The Film 'Privilege')" (recorded April 9, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - Human Beinz (lineup unlisted) record the titles "I've Got To Keep On Pushing" and "Close Your Eyes" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's album "Evolutions" and "I've Got To Keep On Pushing" also as a single (Capitol 2431) with "This Little Girl Of Mine" (recorded November 19, 1968) on the flipside.

55 Years Ago Today In 1970 - Paul McCartney announces that The Beatles have broken up.

1972 - Freddie Hart's Capitol Records single "My Hang-Up Is You", with "Big Bad Wolf" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1973 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for Al Martino's title "Hey Mama". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 3604) with the final mix of "If I Give My Heart To You" (recorded April 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11, 1973) on the flipside and also on Martino's album "I Won't Last A Day Without You" (ST-11302).

1973 - Marc Wirtz, with unlisted others, records the titles "Kings And Queens And Fairytales", "Somewhere Else", "Ecstasy Don't Come Free", "Silverlake Ripple", "Swan (Ballerina)", "American Sundae", "Honest Man", and "Hasn't It Been A Heavy Day (Pie In The Sky Lullaby)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Wirtz's album "Hothouse Smiles" (ST-11208) and "American Sundae" also as a single (Capitol 3643) with "Nothing To Do" (recorded on an unlisted date in March 1973) on the flipside.

1978 - King Of Hearts (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Stay With Me" and "Just Because" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's album "Close But No Guitar" (SW-11848), "Stay With Me" also as a single (Capitol 4634) with "There's Always Time" (recorded June 1, 1978) on the flipside and "Just Because" also as a single (Capitol 4683) and also with "There's Always Time" on the flipside.

1979 - Vocalist Cheryl Ladd, with unlisted others, records the titles "Skinny Dippin'", "The Rose Nobody Knows", "Think It Over", and "You Turn Me Around" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ladd's album "" (SW-11808), "Skinny Dippin'" also as a single (Capitol 4650) with "Good, Good Lovin'" (recorded April 11, 1978) on the flipside and also "Think It Over" as a single (Capitol 4599) with "Here Is A Song" (also recorded April 11, 1978) on the flipside.

1998 - CEMA (the then catalog division of Capitol Records and EMI) releases Freddie Hart's compilation album "Best of Freddie Hart"

2007 - Dakota Staton (aka Aliyah Rabia), singer, dancer, sister of saxophonist Fred Staton, and a Capitol Records and United Artists Records artist, dies in Manhattan, New York at age 74 after a few years of declining health.

10 Years Ago Today In 2015 - It's a Friday evening and Peggy Hand (born Ethel M. Summers on November 4, 1932), who worked at Capitol Records' Jacksonville, Illinois pressing plant, dies in Advocate Bro-Menn Hospital in Normal, Illinois at age 82.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1911 - Martin Denny, bandleader, composer, pianist, and Liberty Records artist, is born in New York City, New York. Some listings have him being born on April 5, 1911. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment.

1957 - Future Imperial and Capitol Records artist Ricky Nelson starts his singing career on his parents' network television show "Ozzie and Harriet" when he sings the title "I'm Walkin'". That's Capitol Records artist and bandleader Ray Anthony as the bandleader in the background.

1962 - Stuart Sutcliffe, artist and original bass player for The Beatles, who had quit the band to return to art school and stay with his girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr, dies from a brain hemorrhage following a series of violent headaches in Hamburg, West Germany at age 21, the day before The Beatles were to return to Hamburg from Liverpool to start their third tour in the city.

1968 - The 3 Sounds (Gene Harris on piano, Andrew Simpkins on bass, Donald Bailey on drums), with Melvin Moore, Buddy Childers, Bobby Bryant, and Freddy Hill on trumpets, Lou Blackburn, Pete Myers, and Billy Byers on trombones, Ernie Tack on bass trombones, Anthony Ortega and Frank Strozier on alto saxophones, Plas Johnson on tenor saxophone, Bill Green on baritone saxophone, Ken Watson on percussion, and Roger Hutchinson on an unlisted instrument using arrangments by Oliver Nelson, record the titles "The Look Of Love", "Georgia On My Mind", "The Grass Is Greener", and "I Remember Bird" at Liberty Studios in Los Angeles, California. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles (with "Georgia On My Mind" being listed as "Georgia") on the group's album "Coldwater Flat" (BST84285).

1978 - Michael Johnson, with unlisted others, records the titles "Bluer Than Blue" and "Almost Like Being In Love" in an unlisted studio. EMI America will issue both titles on Johnson's album "The Michael Johnson Album" (SW-17002), "Bluer Than Blue" also as a single (EMI America 7100) with "This Night Won't Last Forever" (recorded January 12, 1979) on the flipside and "Almost Like Being In Love" also as a single (EMI America 8004) with "Rider In The Sky" (recorded on an unlisted date) on the flipside.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1956 - Leo Fender is granted the patent for The Stratocaster guitar

APRIL 9, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

105 Years Ago Today In 1920 - Art Van Damme, an accordionist, bandleader (Art Van Damme Quintet), and Capitol Records artist (the Quintet accompanied The Dinning Sisters on their Capitol Records single "Buttons And Bows"), is born in Norway, Michigan.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1942 - Papers signed on March 27, 1942 by George G. DeSylva, John Mercer, and Glenn E. Wallichs, before Los Angeles County and California state Notary Public Leta Niccum to acknowledge that they have executed articles of incorporation for Liberty Records, Inc., are stamped "FILED" with the state of California. The three will apply for a Certificate of Amendment on May 27, 1942, again before Ms. Niccum, to change the name of the corporation to Capitol Records, Inc. Those papers will be stamped "FILED" with the state of California on June 1, 1942.

1948 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Record Possibilities - The Retailers Pick chart and debuts at #11 on the magazine's Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys chart. It's flipside, The King Cole Trio's "Lost April", is #3 on the magazine's Record Possibilities - The Disk Jockeys Pick chart.

1953 - Final vocal overdubs are recorded by June Foray and Pinto Colvig in Los Angeles, California after previous vocal overdubs were recorded by Stan Freberg and Pinto Colvig on April 8, 1953 on to music tracks recorded by Van Alexander conducting his orchestra on March 31, 1953 which featured Nestor Amaral's song "Currupaco (The Parrot Song)" for the titles "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 3" and "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 4". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles on the children's album "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party" (DBX-3165 on 10" shellac and EAXF-3165 on 7" vinyl).

1953 - During two sessions held this day in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol, Britt Woodman, and Quentin Jackson on trombones, Russell Procope on alto saxophone and clarinet, Rick Henderson on alto saxophone, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Paul Gonsalves on tenor saxophone, Harry Carney on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Butch Ballard on drums) record the titles "Flamingo", "Bluejean Beguine", and "Liza" at the first session and the titles "Boo-Dah", "Blossom", "Ballin' The Blues" with vocalist Jimmy Grissom, and "Warm Valley" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Flamingo" and "Liza" on Ellington and his orchestra's album "Premiered By Ellington" (EBF-2-440 on 7" vinyl and H-440 on 10" vinyl), "Bluejean Beguine" and "Warm Valley" together as a single (Capitol 2546), "Boo-Dah" as a single (Capitol 2598) with "Give Me The Right" (recorded June 30, 1953) on the flipside on Ellington and His Orchestra's EP "Band Call!" (EAP-1-638), "Blossom" on Ellington and His Orchestra's album "Ellington Showcase" (EAP-3-679 on 7" vinyl and T 679 on 12" vinyl), and "Ballin' The Blues" as a single (Capitol 2503) with "Ain't Nothin', Nothin' Baby (Without You)" (recorded April 7, 1953) on the flipside.

1953 - Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jimmy Work, with (listed as possibly) Al Myers on lead guitar and bass and Jerry Byrd on steel guitar, record the titles "Crazy Moon", "Little Popcorn Man", "How Can I Love You (When You're Not Around)", and "Out Of My Mind" in Cincinnati, Ohio. Capitol Records will issue "Crazy Moon" and "Out Of My Mind" together as a single (Capitol 2565) and "How Can I Love You (When You're Not Around) as a single (Capitol 2682) with "I'm Lonesome For Someone" (recorded October 16, 1952) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on the album "Jimmy Work - Crazy Moon" (BFX 15267 on 12" vinyl and BCD 15651 on CD).

70 Years Ago Today In 1955 - Les Baxter's Capitol Records single "Unchained Melody", with "Medic" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts.

1956 - Local Disc Jockey Sherrif Tex Davis takes Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps to radio station WCMS' studios in Nashville, Tennessee to record the demo of "Be-Bop-A-Lula" as well as demos for "Race With The Devil" and "I Sure Miss You". Davis sends the demos to Capitol's A&R man and producer Ken Nelson who will set up a recording session at Owen Bradley's Nashville studio on May 4th, 1956 which will produce the released single version of "Be-Bop-A-Lula".

1957 - Violinist Nathan Milstein and pianist Leon Pommers record Mozart's "Sonata In G Major For Violin And Piano, K. 301" in Studio A of Capitol Records' studios at 165 West 46th Street in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the title on the duo's album "MOZART Sonatas For Violin & Piano" (P-8452).

1958 - Vocalist Tennessee Ernie Ford, with The Top Twenty (lineup unlisted) and Harry Geller conducting the orchestra (lineup also unlisted), records the titles "Joy To The World", "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear", "The Star Carol", and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ford's album "Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings His Christmas Favorites - The Star Carol" (T/ST 1071).

1958 - Vocalist Wanda Jackson, with "Big" Al Downing on piano, Merrill Moore on piano and organ, Vernon Sandusky on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, Skeets McDonald on bass, and Joe Brawley on drums, records the titles "I Can't Make My Dreams Understand", "Money Honey", "Long Tall Sally", and "Sinful Heart" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "I Can't Make My Dreams Understand", "Money Honey", and "Long Tall Sally" on Jackson's album "Day Dreaming" (T 1041) and "Sinful Heart" as a single (F4081) with "Rock Your Baby" (recorded April 10, 1958) on the flipside.

1958 - During two sessions held this day in City Auditorium in Houston, Texas, Leopold Stokowski conducts The Houston Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they rehearse Shostakovich's "Symphony N°11" at the first session and, with the addition of The Houston Chorale and The Houston Youth Symphony Boy's Choir (lineups also unlisted), record parts of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" at the second session. After more parts are recorded for "Carmina Burana" on April 11 and 12, 1958, Capitol Records will issue the complete work on the album "ORFF - Carmina Burana" (PBR/SPBR/PAR/SAR-8470).

1962 - Trumpet player and vocalist Jonah Jones, with Dick Hyman on organ and unlisted musicians on two guitars, bass, and drums, records the titles "Lady Of Spain" and "Brotherhood Of Man" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Brotherhood Of Man" as a single (Capitol 4878) with "The Bells Of St. Mary" (recorded April 12, 1962) on the flipside and both titles on Jones' album "Jazz Bonus" (T/ST 1773). Unfortunately, neither title is available individually on YouTube but the entire album is posted.

1963 - Vocalists Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae, with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "You'll Never Walk Alone", "He", "Peace In The Valley", "I Believe", "I May Never Pass This Way Again", and "The Lord Is My Shepherd" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the duo's album "There's Peace In The Valley" (T/ST 1916).

1963 - Lead guitarist Dick Dale and His Del-Tones (Jack Lake on drums and unlisted tenor saxophone, guitar, and bass players) record the titles "Lobo", "Mexico", with the addition of an unlisted pianist "Break Time" (originally titled "Hollywood Stomp"), "Night Train", "You Are My Sunshine" with Dale on vocals, "If I Never Get To Heaven", and "Kansas City" with Dale again on vocals in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Mexico", "Break Time", "You Are My Sunshine", "If I Never Get To Heaven", and "Kansas City" on the album "King Of The Surf Guitar" (T/ST 1930) as by Dick Dale And His Del-Tones, "Lobo" as an extra track on the album's playlist on Spotify, and has yet to issue "Night Train".

1963 - Vocalist Johnny Rivers, with Jimmy Haskell conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Fallen Idol" using an arrangement by Haskell, "I Just Got To Get Away", and "Don't Look Now" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Rivers' album "The Sensational Johnny Rivers" (T/ST 2161) and "Don't Look Now" also as a single (Capitol 5232) with "This Could Be The One" (recorded July 3, 1962) on the flipside.

1964 - Capitol Records is granted an injunction restraining Vee Jay Records from further manufacturing, distributing, or advertising of recordings by The Beatles.

1968 - The Sugar Shoppe (Peter Mann on vocal and guitar, Laurie Hood on vocals, Victor Garber on vocals and guitar, and Lee Harris on vocals), with The Clique (Al Casey, Al Viola, Howard Robert, Louis Morrell, and Mike Deasy on guitars, Bill Plummer on sitar, Lewis Carroll on trumpet, Lew McCreary and Louis Blackburn on trombones, Abe Most, Jim Horn, and Plas Johnson on saxophones, Al De Lory, Larry Knechtel, and Michael Rubini on pianos and keyboards, Gary Coleman on vibraphone, and percussion, Carol Kaye and Don Bagley on basses, Earl Palmer and Stan Levey on drums, Hal Blaine on drums, vibraphone, and percussion, Stella Castellucci on harp) and a string section (Alfred Lastgarten, Arnold Belnick, Harry Hyams, Henry Roth, Israel Baker, James Getzoff, Marshall Sasson, Nathan Ross, Sam Boghossian, and William Hymanson on violins and violas, and Anne Goodman, Armand Kaproff, Frederick Seykora, and Nathan Gershman on cellos) using vocal arrangments by Peter Mann and instrumental arrangements by Mort Garson, record the titles "Privilege (From The Film 'Privilige')" and "The Attitude" in Los Angeles, California with producer Al De Lory. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's self-titled album "The Sugar Shack" (ST 2959) and "Privilege (From The Film 'Privilege')" as a single (Capitol 2326) with "Poor Papa" (recorded April 10, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - Stained Glass (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Doomsday", "I Sing You Sing", "Piggy Back Ride And The Camel", and "Fahrenheit" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Crazy Horse Roads" (ST-154) and "Fahrenheit" also as a single (Capitol 2372) with "Twiddle My Thumbs" (recorded April 8, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - Human Beinz (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Every Time Woman" and "My Animal" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's album "Evolutions" (ST 2926) and "Every Time Woman" also as a single (Capitol 2198) with "The Face" (recorded March 19, 1968) on the flipside.

1973 - Apple Records, with Capitol Records handling distribution in the United States, releases Paul McCartney And Wings' single "My Love" from their album "Red Rose Speedway" with "The Mess" on the flipside.

1973 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for Al Martino's titles "Hey Mama" and "If I Give My Heart To You". After additional overdubs are recorded for "Hey Mama" on April 10, 1973, and for "If I Give My Heart To You" on April 11, 1973, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles together as a single (Capitol 3604) and will also issue the final mix of "Hey Mama" on Martino's album "I Won't Last A Day Without You" (ST-11302).

1973 - Billy May and The Time-Life Orchestra (featuring Ray Sherman on the organ with the rest of the lineup unlisted) record the titles "Baubles, Bangles, And Beads", "Love Me With All Your Heart (Cuando Calienta El Sol)", "Mexican Shuffle" without Sherman, and "Song Of The Jet (Samba Do Aviao)" with Sherman back on the organ in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Time-Life Record will issue all the titles as part of its "As You Remember Them" series in the three-LP set "Volume 7 - Billy May" (STL 247).

1983 - The Tubes' Capitol Records single "She's A Beauty", with "When You're Ready To Come" on the flipside, enters Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

35 Years Ago Today In 1990 - Capitol Records releases Lacy J. Dalton's album "Lacy J.".

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1951 - Future Capitol Records artist Judy Garland begins a four-week appearance at The London Palladium in London, England.

1958 - Pianist Gil Evans, using his own arrangements, conducts Johnny Coles, Louis Mucci, and Ernie Royal on trumpets, Frank Rehak and Joe Bennett on trombones, Tom Mitchell on bass trombone, Julius Watkins on French horn, Harvey Phillips on tuba, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on alto saxophone, Gerald Sanfino on piccolo, flute, bass clarinet, and English horn, Chuck Wayne on guitar, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Blakey on drums as they record the titles "Saint Louis Blues", "King Porter Stomp", "'Round Midnight", and "Lester Leaps In" at Judson Hall in New York City, New York for Pacific Jazz. After Pacific Jazz's catalog is acquired by Liberty Records, Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on the album "Pacific Standard Time" (BN-LA461-H2 on 12" vinyl and 3-58300-2 on CD) and will also issue "King Porter Stomp" on the CD "The Definitive Cannonball Adderley" (5-40040-2).

1983 - Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton's Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) single "We've Got Tonight",  (Liberty 1492) with Rogers' "You Are So Beautiful" on the flipside, hits #1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart.

2004 - Nick and Mary Yankovic, the parents of former Capitol Records artist "Weird Al" Yankovic, die of carbon monoxide poisoning in their Fallbrook, California home. Their accidental deaths are caused by a fire burning in the fireplace without the flue being open.

APRIL 8, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1907 - Wesley Prince, a bass player with The King Cole Trio, is born in Pasadena, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1949 - Mel Torme's Capitol Records single "Again", with "Blue Moon" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart.

1953 - Bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ernie Royal, Conte Candoli, Don Dennis, and Don Smith on trumpets, Bob Burgess, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard, and Keith Moon on trombones, George Roberts on bass trombone, Lee Konitz and Vinnie Dean on alto saxophones, Bill Holman and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophones, Henry Levy on baritone saxophone, Sal Salvador on guitar, Glen Roberts on bass, and Stan Levey on drums), with vocalist Chris Connor, record the titles "All About Ronnie", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen", and "Baia" at Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Capitol Records will issue "Baia" as a single (Capitol 2511) with "" (recorded ) on the flipside and on Kenton's album "Portraits On Standards" (T 462). Mosaic Records will issue the take of "All About Ronnie", which will later be re-recorded, in the box set "Stan Kenton-The Complete Capitol Recordings of The Holman And Russo Charts" (MR6-136 with six discs on vinyl and MD4-136 with four discs on CD). The take of "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" is rejected.

1953 - Voice artists Stan Freberg, June Foray, and Pinto Colvig record vocal overdubs in Los Angeles, California using a script adapted by Alan Livingston onto music tracks recorded by Van Alexander conducting His Orchestra on March 23, 1953 for the titles "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 1", "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 2" and, without Foray, for the titles "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 3" and "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 4". After June Foray and Pinto Colvig record more vocal overdubs on April 9, 1953 for the titles "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 3" and "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party: Part 4", Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on the children's album "Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party" (DBX-3165 on 10" shellac and EAX-3165 on 7" vinyl).

1953 - Jackie Gleason conducts His Orchestra (a large string orchestra with Bobby Hackett on trumpet, Toots Mondello on alto saxophone, and unlisted others) as they record the titles "Say It Isn't So", "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan", "You Were Meant For Me", "It Happened In Monterey", "Crazy Rhythm", and "After You've Gone" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Say It Isn't So", "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan", and "You Were Meant For Me" on the album "" (SM-455), with "It Happened In Monterey" on the album "Music To Make You Misty" (EBf-455 on 7" EP set, H/L-455 on 10" vinyl LP, and W/DW 455 on 12" LP) and rejected the take of "Crazy Rhythm" from this session. Collectors' Choice Music will issue "AFter You've Gone" on the CD "Two Classic Albums From Jackie Gleason - Lover's Rhapsody/And Awaaay We Go" (CCM 192-2).

1958 - Bandleader and clarinet and alto saxophone player Les Brown and His Band Of Renown (Dick Collins, Wes Hensel, Conrad Gozzo, Jerry Kadowitz, and Mickey McMahan on trumpets, Dick Kenney and Roy Main on trombones, Jim Hill and Stumpy Brown on bass trombone, Matt Utal and Ralph Lapolla on flutes, clarinets, and alto saxophones, Billy Usselton on tenor saxophone, Butch Stone on clarinet and baritone saxophone, Abe Aaron on soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones and bass clarinet, Don Trenner on piano, Tony Rizzi on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, Lloyd Morales on drums, and David Grupp on percussion and bells) record the titles "The Loneliness Of Evening" using an arrangement by Wes Hensel, "I'm Gonna Was That Man Right Out Of My Hair" using an arrangement by Les Brown", "Happy Talk" using an arrangement by Don Bagley, and "Dites Moi" using an arrangement by Les Brown in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Brown's album "Dance To The Music Of "South Pacific"" (EAP-1/2-1060 on 7" EPs and T/ST 1060 on 12" LP).

1958 - Vocalist Wanda Jackson, with "Big" Al Downing on piano, Merrill Moore on piano and organ, Vernon Sandusky on lead guitar and backing vocals, Buck Owens on guitar, Enos "Skeets" McDonald on bass, and Joe Brawley on drums), records the titles "Day Dreaming", "Heartbreak Ahead", "Here We Go Again", and "I Wanna Waltz" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Jackson's album "Day Dreaming" (T 1041).

1958 - Guitarist Laurindo Almeida records the titles "Dialogue", "Fantasia (Fantasy)" and "Danza" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Almeida's album "Contemporary Creations For Spanish Guitar - Laurindo Almeida" (P-8447).

 

1958 - Pianist Joe Bushkin, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using arrangements by Kenyon Hopkins, records the title "Begin The Beguine", new takes of the titles "Love For Sale" and "So In Love", and the title "I've Got You Under My Skin" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Bushkin's album "I Get A Kick Out Of Porter" (T/ST 1030).

1963 - Vocalists Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae, with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "All Through The Night", "Somebody Bigger Than You And I", "Shepherd Show Me How To Go", "Oh Holy Morning", "Nearer My God To Thee", and "He Brought My Soul To Calvary" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae's album "There's Peace In The Valley" (T/ST 1916).

1963 - Nat and Maria Cole attend the 35th Academy Awards ceremony at The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.

1966 - Vocalist Liza Minnelli, with Ray Ellis conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Marriage Is For Old Folks", "Say Liza (Liza With A 'Z')", and "Come On And Baby Me" in New York City, New York. 40 years later in 2006, DRG Records will issue all the titles on the 2 disc CD set "Liza Minnelli: The Complete Capitol Collection"  (DRG 19093).

1968 - The Beatles' Apple Records single "Lady Madonna", with "The Inner Light" on the flipside and distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1968 - Stained Glass (lineup unlisted) recorda the titles "Finger Painting", "Horse On Me", "Light Down Below", "Two Make One", "Nightcap", and "Twiddle My Thumbs" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Crazy Horse Roads" (ST-154) and "Twiddle My Thumbs" as a single (Capitol 2372) with "Fahrenheit" (recorded April 9, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - Vocalist Andy Russell, with unlisted others, records the titles "Somebody Loves You", "Stay With Me (Nel Sole)", and "I'd Love To Rope You Off The Rest Of The World" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue "Somebody Loves You" and will issue "Stay With Me (Nel Sole)" and "I'd Love To Rope You Off The Rest Of The World" together as a single (Capitol 2185).

1968 - Hedge & Donna (Hedge Capers on guitar and vocals and Donna Capers on percussion and vocals) record the titles "From Silver Lake" and "Love Lady" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "From Silver Lake" on the duo's self-titled album "Hedge & Donna" (ST-107) and has yet to issue "Love Lady".

1968 - Buddy Fo, with unlisted others, records the titles "Life Still Has A Lot To Give Me", "Such Pleasure", and "Some Good" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Life Still Has A Lot To Give Me" and "Such Pleasure" on Fo's album ""Buddy Fo's New Hawaii"" (ST 2879) and has yet to issue "Some Good".

1968 - Human Beinz (lineup unlisted) record the titles "If You Don't Mind, Mrs. Applebee" and "Cement" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's album "Evolutions" (ST 2926).

1978 - Wing's Capitol Records single "With A Little Luck", with "Backwards Traveller/Cuff Link (Medley)" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1983 - Eddie Jobson & Zinc (lineup unlisted) record the title "Resident" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "The Green Album" (ST-12275).

1988 - Capitol Records registers the masters it acquired from EMI Records, Ltd. for Aslan's (Christy Dignam on vocals, Joe Jewell on guitar and backing vocals, Tony McGuinness on bass and backing vocals, Billy McGuinness on percussion, harmonica and backing vocals, and Alan Downey on drums) titles "Loving Me Lately", "Pretty Thing", "This Is", "Been So Long", "The Hunger", "Heat Of The Cell", "Please Don't Stop", "Down On Me", "Sands Of Time", "Feel No Shame", and "Book Of Life" which were recorded at Westland Studios, Dublin, Ireland with additional recordings done at Terminal 24/Townhouse 3, London, England, as well as five other unlisted titles, and will issue all the listed titles in the United States on the group's CD "Feel No Shame" (7 48989 2).

2003 - Capitol Records releases Lisa Marie Presley's album "To Whom It May Concern".

2003 - Chris Cagle's second Capitol Records album, "Chris Cagle," debuts at #1 on Billboard magazine's Top Country Albums chart.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1892 - Mary Pickford, an actress and co-founder of United Artists Pictures, is born Gladys Louise Smith in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. United Artists Pictures would release The Beatles' movies "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!", and "The Yellow Submarine". The catalog for United Artists Records, a subsidiary that also releases the soundtrack to "A Hard Day's Night", is now owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

105 Years Ago Today in 1920 - Carmen McRae, a singer and a Blue Note Records artist is born in Harlem, New York City, New York.

1963 - Julian Lennon, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and son of John and Cynthia Powell, is born John Charles Julian Lennon in Liverpool, England. Julian was the inspiration for the songs "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", "Good Night", and "Hey Jude".

1967 - The Spencer Davis Group's single "I'm A Man", with "Can't Get Enough" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1968 - Drummer Elvin Jones, with Jimmy Garrison on bass, records the titles "Village Greene" with Joe Farrell on tenor saxophone, "Sweet Little Maia" with Farrell on soprano saxophone, "Raza" with Farrell back on tenor saxophone, "For Heaven's Sake" with Farell on alto flute, "Keiko's Birthday" with Farrell on piccolo, and "Gingerbread Boy" and "Jay-Ree", both with Farrell back on tenor saxophone. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on Jones' album "Puttin' It Together" (BLP4282 on mono LP, BST84282 on stereo LP, and 7-84282-2 on CD).

2001 - Janet Jackson's Virgin Records America single "All For You", with "Someone To Call My Lover" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

APRIL 7, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

110 Years Ago Today In 1915 - Billie Holiday, a singer and a recording artist for many labels including Capitol Records (the title "Trav'lin' Light", with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, using the name Lady Day), is born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1920 - Ravi Shankar, a composer, sitar player, Capitol ("Concert For Bangladesh"), Capitol India, EMI, and Angel Records artist, and father of Angel Records artist Anoushka Shankar and Blue Note Records artist Norah Jones, is born Bharat Ratna Ravi Shankar in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

1951 - Janis Ian, a singer, songwriter, and Capitol Records artist is born Janis Eddy Fink in New York City, New York.

1952 - Bruce Gary, a percussionist and drummer with the Capitol Records group The Knack, is born in Burbank, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1953 - During two sessions held this day in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol, Britt Woodman, and Quentin Jackson on trombones, Russell Procope on alto saxophone and clarinet, Rick Henderson on alto saxophone, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Paul Gonsalves on tenor saxophone, Harry Carney on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Butch Ballard on drums) record the titles "My Old Flame", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", and, with Jimmy Grissom on vocals, "Ain't Nothin', Nothin' Baby (Without You)" at the first session and the titles "Stormy Weather", "Star Dust", "Three Little Words", and "Orson" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "My Old Flame", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "Stormy Weather", "Star Dust" and "Three Little Words" on Ellington and His Orchestra's album "Premiered By Ellington" (EAP-1/2-440 on 7" EPs, EBF-440 on 7" EP set, and H-440 on 10" LP), "Ain't Nothin', Nothin' Baby (Without You)" as a single (Capitol 2503) with "Ballin' The Blues" (recorded April 9, 1953) on the flipside, and "Orson" on Ellington's album "Dance To The Duke!" (EAP-3-637 on 7" EP and T 637 on 12" LP).

1953 - Jackie Gleason conducts His Orchestra (a large string orchestra with Bobby Hackett on trumpet, Toots Mondello on alto saxophone, and unlisted others) as they record the titles "Mickey", "The Man I Love", "I Hadn't Anyone Till You", and "It All Depends On You" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Gleason's album "Music To Make You Misty" (EBF 455 on 7" two EP set, H/L-455 on 10" LP, and W/DW 455 on 12" LP).

1953 - Vocalist Faron Young, with (listed as probably) Chet Atkins or Thomas "Grady" Martin on electric guitar, Velma E. Williams Smith on rhythm guitar, (listed as probably) Loren Otis "Jack" Shook on guitar and Bob Foster on steel guitar, and Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance on bass, records the titles "What's The Use To Love You", "That's What I'd Do For You", "Just Married", and "Baby My Heart" at Castle Studio in the Tulane Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "What's The Use To Love You" as a single (Capitol 2461) with "I Can't Wait (For The Sun To Go Down" (recorded October 12, 1952) on the flipside, and "That's What I'd Do For You" and "Baby My Heart" together as a single (Capitol 2570). Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany in the five-CD box set "Faron Young - The Classic Years" (BCD 15493).

1954 - Kay Starr's Capitol Records single "The Man Upstairs", with Harold Mooney conducting the orchestra and "If You Love Me" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart.

1958 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' single "Sweet Thing" with "I Only Know That I Love You" on the flipside.

1958 - Dean Martin's Capitol Records single "Return To Me", with "Forgetting You" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart.

1958 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" debuts at #36 on WMGM's Top 40 Survey in New York City, New York and is #5 on WJJD 11609 AM's Hit Bound chart in Chicago, Illinois.

1958 - Vocalist Tennessee Ernie Ford, with The Top Twenty (lineup unlisted) and Harry Geller conducting the orchestra (lineup also unlisted), records the titles "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "O Holy Night (Cantique De Noël)", "Silent Night", and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ford's album "Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings His Christmas Favorites - The Star Carol" (T/ST 1071).

1958 - Vocalist Wanda Jackson, with "Big" Al Downing on piano, Merrill Moore on piano and organ, Vernon Sandusky on lead guitar and vocals, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, Enos "Skeets" McDonald on bass, and Joe Brawley on drums, records the titles "Making Believe", "Just Call Me Lonesome", "Happy Happy Birthday, "Let Me Go Lover" and "Let's Have A Party" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 6:15 PM and 9:15 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Jackson's album "Day Dreaming" (T 1041), "Happy Happy Birthday" also as a single (Capitol F4469) with "Mean Mean Man" (recorded April 10, 1958) on the flipside, and "Let's Have A Party" also as a single (Capitol F4397) with "Cool Love" (recorded February 28, 1957) on the flipside.

1983 - Capitol Records registers the masters for Eddie Jobson & Zinc's titles "Transporter", "Resident", "Easy For You To Say", "Prelude", "Nostalgia", "Walking From Pastel", "Turn It Over", "Green Face", "Who My Friends...", "Colour Code", "Listen To Reason", "Through The Glass", and "Transporter II" in Los Angeles, California and will issue all the titles on the album "The Green Album" as by Eddie Jobson/Zinc (ST-12275) and will also issue "Turn It Over" as a single (Capitol 5273) with "Residential Mix" (recorded June 30, 1983) on the flipside.

1983 - Capitol Records registers the masters for The Rockets' titles "Rollin' By The Record Machine", "Desire", "Can't Sleep", "Sally Can't Dance", "Takin' It Back", "Open The Door To Your Heart", "Oh Well", "Turn Up The Radio", and "Born In Detroit" in Los Angeles, California and will issue all the titles on the group's album "Live Rockets" (ST-12270) and will also issue "Can't Sleep" and "Turn Up The Radio" together as a single (Capitol 5262).

1991 - Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) artist Garth Brooks wins American Country Music awards for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year (for "No Fences,") Single "Friends in Low Places," Song, and Video of the Year "The Dance".

2002 - Chris Cagle's Capitol Records Nashville single "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out", with "Country By The Grace of God" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1938 - Freddie Hubbard, a trumpet player, sideman, bandleader, and Blue Note Records artist, is born Frederick Dewayne Hubbard in Indianapolis, Indiana. Blue Note's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company Universal Music Group.

1943 - Mick Abrahams, a guitarist, founder of the Chrysalis Records group Jethro Tull, and a solo artist, is born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Chrysalis' catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company EMI Music Group.

1949 - The Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical "South Pacific" opens at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. Capitol Records will later release an album of cover versions of the hit songs from the musical featuring Gordon MacRae and Jo Stafford.

1958 - Ricky Nelson's Imperial Records single "Believe What You Say", with "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles chart. Imperial's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company Universal Music Group.

1958 - During three sets held live at Small's Paradise in New York City, New York recorded by Blue Note Records, organist Jimmy Smith, with Eddie McFadden on guitar and Donald Bailey on drums, perform the titles "Small's Minor", and with the addition of Lou Donaldson on alto saxophone, "What's New?", "Fugueing The Blues", "Red Sails In The Sunset", and "Cool Blues with the addition of Tina Brooks on tenor saxophone at the first set, "September Song", "Yesterdays", "Small's Minor", and, with the addition again of Lou Donaldson on alto saxophone, "Once In A While" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" at the second set, and, after an announcement by Babs Gonzales, with Lou Donaldson on alto saxophone, Tina Brooks on tenor saxophone, Eddie McFadden on guitar, and Art Blakey on drums, the titles "A Night In Tunisia", "Dark Eyes", and "Groovin' At Smalls" then with Brooks out on tenor saxophone and Donald Bailey replacing Blakey on drums, "Mary Ann" at the third set. Blue Note Records will issue "Cool Blues", "A Night In Tunisia", "Dark Eyes", and Groovin' At Small's" on Smith's album "Cool Blues" (LT-1054) and with the addition of "What's New?", "Small's Minor", and "Once In A While" on the CD release of "Cool Blues" (7-84441-2). Blue Note rejected all the other titles.

1959 - The Fleetwoods' Dolphin Records (later renamed Dolton Records) single "Come Softly To Me", with "I Care So Much" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Pop singles chart. Dolton Records was distributed and later bought by Liberty Records. Liberty Records catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1968 - Bobby Goldsboro's United Artists Records single "Honey", with "Danny" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. United Artists' catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

50 Years Ago Today In 1975 - Victoria Adams (aka Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice), with the Virgin Records group Spice Girls, wife of European football player David Beckham, is born Victoria Caroline Adams at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, United Kingdom.

35 Yeats Ag Toda In1990 - "Hold On", Wilson Phillips' SBK single "Hold On", distributed by Capitol Records with "Over And Over" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Single chart

APRIL 6, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1924 - Dorothy Donegan, a pianist, leader of The Dorothy Donegan Trio, and Capitol Records artist, is born in Chicago, Illinois.

1927 - Gerry Mulligan, an arranger, songwriter, pianist, clarinet and baritone saxophone player, bandleader, Capitol (solo and as part of Miles Davis' "Birth Of The Cool" band), Pacific Jazz, and a Blue Note Records artist is born Gerald Joseph Mulligan in New York City, New York.

1937 - Merle Haggard, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, 1977 inductee into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame, 1994 inductee into The Country Music Hall Of Fame, and Capitol Records artist, is born in Kern General Hospital, in Bakersfield, California. He will die of pneumonia 79 years to the day later on April 6, 2016 in Palo Cedro, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1942 - The first recording session for Liberty Records (legally renamed Capitol Records on June 1, 1942) is held as a split session at C. P. MacGregor's studios at 729 S. Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California. First, vocalist Martha Tilton and the vocal group The Mellowaires (lineup unlisted), with Gordon Jenkins' Orchestra (Jenkins on piano and leading the rest of the unlisted musicians), record "Moondreams" (co-written by Johnny Mercer and J. C. "Chummy"  MacGregor) and "The Angels Cried" (written by Mercer alone), which features a solo by Hubert "Bumps" Myers on tenor saxophone. Johnny Mercer, with Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (lineup still unlisted but including Jimmy Van Heusen on piano), then records "Strip Polka" (words and music by Mercer and arranged by Paul Weston), with additional emcee vocals by Phil Silvers and harmony vocals by The Mellowaires, and "They Didn't Believe  Me" (music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Herbert Reynolds). Capitol Records will issue "Moondreams" as a single (Capitol 138) with "Comin' Thru The Rye" (recorded June 25, 1942) on the flipside, "The Angels Cried" as a single (Capitol 105) with "I'll Remember April" (recorded June 4, 1942) on the flipside, "Strip Polka" as a single (Capitol 103) with "The Air-Minded Executive" (recorded May 21, 1942) on the flipside, and "They Didn't Believe Me" as a single (Capitol 129) with "Riffette" (recorded July 20, 1942) on the flipside.

Here's the podcast pilot I recorded about the first session.

1951 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Too Young", with "That's My Girl" on the flip side, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts.

1953 - Mel Blanc, using a script written by Ted Pierce and Warren Foster and adapted by Alan Livingston, records vocal overdubs in Los Angeles, California on to music tracks recorded by Van Alexander conducting His Orchestra on March 31, 1953 for the titles "Woody Woodpecker And His Space Ship: Part 1" and "Woody Woodpecker And His Space Ship: Part 2". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles on the children's record "Woody Woodpecker And His Space Ship" (CAS-3171 on 10" 78 RPM shellac and CASF-3171 on 7" 45 RPM vinyl).

1953 - Bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, Britt Woodman and Quentin Jackson on trombones, Russell Procope on alto saxophone and clarinet, Rick Henderson on alto saxophone, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Paul Gonsalves on tenor saxophone, Harry Carney on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Butch Ballard on drums) record the titles "Satin Doll", "Without A Song" with vocals by Jimmy Grissom, and "Cocktails For Two" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Satin Doll" and "Without A Song" together as a single (Capitol 2458) and "Cocktails For Two" on Ellington's EP "Premiered By Ellington" (EAP-1-440 on 7" 45 RPM vinyl EP, EBF-440 on two-disc 7" 45 vinyl EP set, and H-440 on 10" 33 1/3 vinyl).

1953 - Les Baxter conducts His Orchestra and Chorus (lineups unlisted) as they record the titles "Ruby" featuring vocals by Danny Walton, "A Little Love (Can Go A Long, Long Way)", "I Love Paris" and "Manhattan" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Ruby" and "A Little Love (Can Go A Long, Long Way)" together as a single (Capitol 2457), "I Love Paris" as a single (Capitol 2479) with "Gigi" (recorded April 28, 1953) on the flipside, and "Manhattan" as a single (Capitol 2632) with "Love Theme From 'The Robe'" (recorded September 24, 1953) on the flipside.

1953 - Vocalist Mickey Katz and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "How Much Is That Pickle In The Window", "Wild Corsets", "Haim Afen Range (Home On The Range)", and "Tico Tico" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "How Much Is That Pickle In The Window" and "Wild Corsets" together as a single (Capitol 2456), Haim Afen Range (Home On The Range)" and "Tico Tico" together as a single (Capitol 2660), "How Much Is That Pickle In The Window", "Wild Corsets", and "Haim Afen Range (Home On The Range)" on Katz's album "Mish Mosh" (T 799), and "Tico Tico" on Katz's album "Katz Puts On The Dog" T 934).

1956 - The grand opening of The Capitol Tower at 1750 Vine Street, Hollywood, California takes place. Check out my April 6, 2006 posting in the April archives of this blog to find all the information and photos that I posted for the 50th anniversary of The Tower's opening.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #50 on Billboard magazine's Top LPs - 50 Best Sellers - Stereo and #60 on the magazine's Top LPs - 150 Best Sellers - Monaural chart. Cole's Capitol Records single "All Over The World" is #20 on Billboard magazine's Middle-Road singles chart, #43 on the magazine's Hot 100 chart, and #44 on Cash Box magazine's Top 100 Singles chart. Also, according to Billboard's Hits Of The World charts, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Skip To My Lou" is #2 in Denmark and in India  (courtesy of The Voice in Calcutta) his single "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #3.

1963 - Vocalist Bobby Darin, with Jack Nitzsche conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "18 Yellow Roses" and "Not For Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4970) and on Darin's album "18 Yellow Roses & 11 Other Hits" (T/ST 1942).

1966 - Buck Owens records the title "Open Up Your Heart" which will be released by Capitol Records.

1968 - Vocalists George Lindsey and The Jordanaires (lineup unlisted), with unlisted others, record the titles "My Way Of Life", "Moccasin Branch", "I'll Live Here Till I Die", and "Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Lindsey's album "Goober Sings!" (ST 2965).

1968 - Syd Barrett officially leaves Tower Records' (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) band Pink Floyd.

1968 - After nearly four months of remodeling, The Beatles open their Apple Corporation office on the fourth floor of  95 Wigmore Street, London, England. The office workers find out that they can't play records during office hours so as not to disturb other tenants in the building. About three months later, the company will move to 3 Savile Road on July 15, 1968, after The Beatles buy the entire building.

1978 - Vocalist Juice Newton, with unlisted others, records the titles "You Fill My Life", "I'll Never Love Again", and "If There Could Be" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "You Fill My Life" on Newton's album "Take Heart" (ST-12000) and an edited version as a single (Capitol 4856) with "Tear It Up" (recorded May 1, 1979) on the flipside and "I'll Never Love Again" and "If There Could Be" on Newton's album "Well Kept Secret" (SW-11811).

1988 - Capitol Records registers the master it acquired from EMI for Hazell Dean's title "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" but no issuing information is listed.

1999 - Red Norvo, a xylophonist, bandleader, Capitol Records session player, and artist, dies at the age of 91.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

80 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Bob Marley, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, husband of Rita Marley (a member of  I3), and literally the father of EMI America and Virgin Records group Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, is born Robert Nesta Marley in Rhoden Hall, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica.

1971 - Donavan Freberg, a photographer and the son of Capitol Records artist Stan Freberg, is born.

1973 - Future Capitol Records band Queen sign their first recording contract.

1981 - Bob Hite (aka "The Bear"), guitarist, harmonica player, and founding member of the Liberty Records group Canned Heat, dies of a heart attack brought on by a combination of drug use and extreme weight at age 38. The attack happened in a van that was taking him home from a gig at The Palomino. Though his bandmates tried to revive him, they had to call paramedics when they got to Hite's home in Mar Vista, California, where he was later pronounced dead. If anyone knows for sure where Bob is buried, please leave a comment.

1998 - Pianist Jacky Terrasson records the title "Cumba's Dance" at Anderson Audio's studio in Brooklyn, New York. Blue Note Records will issue the title on Terrasson's album "Lulu On The Bridge" (4-95317-2 on CD).

2016 - Merle Haggard, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, 1977 inductee into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame, 1994 inductee into The Country Music Hall Of Fame, and Capitol Records artist dies of pneumonia on his 79th birthday in Palo Cedro, California.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1917 - The United States of America enters the first world war.

APRIL 5, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1933 - Reggie Lavong, radio disc jockey, recording artist, and Capitol Records R&B promotion executive (1969-1972) is born Reginald Jerome Nelson in Gainesville, Florida.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

80 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Betty Hutton's Capitol Records single "Stuff Like That There" enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts.

1948 - Capitol Records purchases the masters for Cliffie Stone and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) titles "When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again" and "So Long To The Red River Valley" from Gold Seal Records. After registering the masters on April 30, 1948, Capitol Records will issue "When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again" as a single (Capitol 15108) with "Take It Any Way You Can Get It" (recorded December 3, 1947) on the flipside and "So Long To The Red River Valley" as a single (Capitol 15157) with "He's A Real Gone Oakie" (also recorded December 3, 1947) on the flipside.

1953 - At the opening performance at Carnegie Hall of a nationwide tour of "The Record Show Of 1953", headliner Nat "King" Cole is stricken with ruptured ulcers and rushed to a New York City hospital. The show tries to go on for a week without Cole but the producers decide to close it on April 12 after finding out he won't be able to return for two to four months.

1953 - Vocalist and guitarist Weldon "Big Bill" Lister, with Jerry Rivers on fiddle, Sammy Pruett and Loren Oris "Jack" Shook on guitars, Donald Helms on steel guitar, and Ernie Newton on bass, records the titles "The Human Thing To Do", "Happy Lonesome", "All Dressed Up (And Nowhere To Go)", and "Hog Calling Song" at Castle Studio in Tulane Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee for Capitol Records. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on Lister's compilation CD "There's A Tear In My Beer" (BCD 16374).

1958 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Just One Of Those Things" is #6 on The Billboard magazine's Most Played By Jockeys chart and Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" debuts at #38 on The Billboard magazines' Best Selling Pop Singles In Stores chart, #56 on the magazine's Top 100 Sides chart, and #60 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart. Cole's single "Angel Smile" is also on The Billboard magazine's Top 100 Sides chart at #75.

1962 - Wesley "Speedy" West (on steel guitar), with Billy Liebert on piano, Roy Lanham and Billy Strange on guitars, Lawrence "Red" Wooten on bass, and Earl Palmer on drums, records the titles "Speedy's Special", "Sunset At Waikiki", "Tulsa Twist" and "Slow And Easy" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on West's album "The Incredible Steel Guitar Of Speedy West - Guitar Spectacular" (T 1835).

1962 - The Pre Meds (lineup unlisted) record the yet-to-be-issued titles "Feel Good" and "Feel Better" for Capitol Records in Los Angeles, California.

1962 - Eddie Beal, with unlisted others, records the yet-to-be-issued titles "So Love Me For All We Know", When I Fall In Love", "April Showers", and "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.

1963 - It's a Friday night and at 10:00 PM Nat "King" Cole appears on this evening's episode of NBC-TV's "The Jack Paar Program" with fellow guests actor Peter Ustinov, stage and screen actor Robert Morse, comic actor Charles Nelson Riley, and comedian Bob Newhart. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Unforgettable" is #4 on KTKT 990 AM's Album Sound Of The Day chart in Tucson, Arizona.

1964 - General Douglas MacArthur, General of the US Army in the Pacific, whose farewell speeches were released by Capitol Records, dies at age 84.

1967 - Vocalist Dale Evans, with unlisted musicians, records the medleys "Ezekiel Saw The Wheel/Walk In Jerusalem", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen/Steal Away", and "One More River To Cross/Gonna Lay Down My Heavy Load", the title "Old Time Religion", the medley "Standin' In The Need of Prayer/Do Lord", and the title "It's Real" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Evans' album "It's Real" (T 2772).

1967 - The Stone Poneys (Kenny Edwards on lead guitar and vocals, Bob Kimmel on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Linda Ronstadt on vocals) record the titles "Toys Of Time" and "Evergreen, Part 1" and the instrumental "Evergreen Part 2" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the band's album "Evergreen, Volume 2" (T 2763) and the last two titles together as a single  (Capitol 5910).

1967 - Vocalist Al Martino, with Peter DeAngeles conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "A Woman In Love", a remake of "Mary In The Morning" (an unissued version was recorded on March 16, 1967), "Once Upon A Time", the as yet to be issued take of the title "I'll Return To You", and "I Love You And You Love Me" in New York City, New York with producers Tom Morgan and Marvin Holtzman. After Martino records vocal overdubs for "I Love You And You Love Me" on April 6, 1947, Capitol Records will issue "Mary In The Morning" and "I Love You And You Love Me" together as a single (Capitol 5904) and all the titles except "I'll Return To You" on Martino's album "Daddy's Little Girl" (T 2733).

1968 - The Sugar Shoppe (Peter Mann on vocal and guitar, Laurie Hood on vocals, Victor Garber on vocals and guitar, and Lee Harris on vocals), with The Clique (Al Casey, Al Viola, Howard Robert, Louis Morrell, and Mike Deasy on guitars, Bill Plummer on sitar, Lewis Carroll on trumpet, Lew McCreary and Louis Blackburn on trombones, Abe Most, Jim Horn, and Plas Johnson on saxophones, Al De Lory, Larry Knechtel, and Michael Rubini on pianos and keyboards, Gary Coleman on vibraphone, and percussion, Carol Kaye and Don Bagley on basses, Earl Palmer and Stan Levey on drums, Hal Blaine on drums, vibraphone, and percussion, Stella Castellucci on harp) and a string section (Alfred Lastgarten, Arnold Belnick, Harry Hyams, Henry Roth, Israel Baker, James Getzoff, Marshall Sasson, Nathan Ross, Sam Boghossian, and William Hymanson on violins and violas, and Anne Goodman, Armand Kaproff, Frederick Seykora, and Nathan Gershman on cellos) using vocal arrangments by Peter Mann and instrumental arrangements by Mort Garson, with producer Al De Lory record the titles "The Candy Children Song" and "Papa, Won't You Let Me Go To Town With You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's self-titled album "The Sugar Shoppe" (ST 2959).

1968 - Capitol Records purchases the masters for Billy Robinson & The Burners' titles  "Shucks, You Left The Fire Burning" and "I'm A Lonely Black Boy", both produced by Aki Aleong for Fortune Cookie Productions. Crazy Horse Records, at the time distributed by Capitol Records, will issue both titles together as a single (Crazy Horse 1305).

1968 - Vocalist George "Goober" Lindsey, with vocal group The Jordanaires and others (lineups unlisted), records the titles "That There's Big With Me", "Louisville", and "Good Morning Sunshine" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Lindsey's album "Goober Sings!" (ST 2965).

1978 - Vocalist and guitarist Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band (lineup unlisted) recorded the titles "Still The Same" and "Feel Like A Number" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4581) and on the group's album "Stranger In Town" (SW-11698). Other listings give this as the day Capitol Records released Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band's album "Stranger In Town" (SW-11698).

1978 - Vocalist Juice Newton, with unlisted others, records the titles "Tell Me, Baby, Goodbye", "Hey Baby", "So Many Ways", and "No Reason" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Newton's album "Well Kept Secret" (SW-11811), "Tell Me, Baby, Goodbye" as a single (Capitol 4679) with "Let's Keep It That Way" (recorded November 24, 1978) on the flipside, and "Hey Baby" as a single (Capitol 4611) with "It's Not Impossible" (recorded June 22, 1978) on the flipside.

1978 - Bert Sommer, with unlisted others, records the titles "I've Got The Song In Me" and "I Got A Woman" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4602).

1989 - Dave Edmunds signs with Capitol Records.

2001 - OTEP has a party at the Viper Room after signing with Capitol Records.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS

1911 - Martin Denny, a composer, arranger, pianist, and Liberty Records artist is born in New York City, New York. Some listings have him being born on April 10, 1911. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment.

1934 - Stan Turrentine, a tenor saxophonist and Blue Note Records artist, is born Stanley William Turrentine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1963 - Organist Big John Patton, with Fred Jackson and Harold Vick on tenor saxophones, Grant Green on guitar, and Ben Dixon on drums, records the titles "The Silver Meter", "Spiffy Diffy", "Gee Gee", "Along Came John", "Pig Foots", and "I'll Never Be Free" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's recording studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on Patton's album "Along Came John" (BLP4130 on 12" vinyl in mono, BST84130 on 12" vinyl in stereo, and 8-31915-2 on CD), "The Silver Meter" in two parts as a single (Blue Note 45-1888), and "Along Came John" and "I'll Never Be Free" together as a single (Blue Note 45-1889).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

15 Years Ago Today In 2010 - Geoff Peterson, built by Grant Imahara, debuts on "The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson".

APRIL 4, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

140 Years Ago Today In 1885 - Arthur Murray, dancer, dance instructor, businessman and founder of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios franchise, television dance show host with his wife Kathryn Murray, inspiration for the song "Arthur Murray Taught Me To Dance In A Hurry" written by Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer and Victor Schertzinger and introduced by Capitol Records artist in the Paramount movie "The Fleet's In", for whom the "Arthur Murray" series of dance albums were created by Capitol Records, is born Moses Teichman in New York, New York.

1914 - Frances Langford, a singer, radio performer, motion picture actress, a part of Bob Hope's U.S.O. touring company, and a Capitol Records artist (album "Sings Old Songs For Old Friends") is born Frances Newbern in Lakeland, Florida.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1942 - It's a Saturday, and Johnny Mercer signs a recording contract with Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records) two days before the label's first recording session.

1946 - Pinto Colvig, Billy Bletcher, and Sara Berner (on vocals), with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to his orchestra (Emanuel "Mannie" Klein, Uan Rasey, and Leonard Mach on trumpet, Elmer Smithers and James Skiles on trombone, J. A. Krechter, Harry Schuchman, Victor Garber, and Vincent Spolidoro on saxophones, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Phil Stephens on bass, John Cyr on drums and a string section with Mischa Russell, Harry Bluestone, and Samuel Freed on violin, Paul Robyn on viola, and Cy Bernard on cello), using a script by session producer Alan Livingston, record the titles "Bozo At The Circus, Part 1" and "Bozo At The Circus, Part 2" at Radio Recorders' original studios at 932 N. Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California (which is now either the parking lot of the Taco Bell or the Thai Angel restaurant). After the last two parts of the album are recorded at the same location on April 12, 1956, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Bozo's debut children's album "Bozo At The Circus" (BBX-34).

1953 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Pretend" is #6, his single "Can't I" is #25 and its flipside "Blue Gardenia" is #36 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart. "Pretend" is also #4 on The Billboard magazine's Best Selling Singles and Most Played by Jockeys chart #5 on the magazine's Most Played In Juke Boxes chart. Also, at 9:00 PM EST, Nat "King Cole appears on this evening's episode of CBS-TV's "This Is Show Business".

1955 - Capitol Records releases Faron Young' single "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young" with "Forgive Me Dear" on the flipside.

1956 - Vocalist Frank Sinatra, with Nelson Riddle conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Vincent De Rosa on French horn, Harry Klee on flute, Mitchell Lurie on clarinet, Champ Webb on oboe, Bill Miller on piano, Bob Bain on guitar, Mike Rubin on bass, Irving Cottler on drums, Kathryn Julye on harp) and The Hollywood String Quartet (Paul Shure and Felix Slatkin on violins, Alvin Dinkin on viola, and Eleanor Slatkin on cello), records the titles "I've Had My Moments", "Blame It On My Youth", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Wait Till You See Her" in the Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Sinatra's album "Close To You" (W 789), the last title on Sinatra's album "Frank Sinatra Sings The Select Rodgers & Hart" (W 1825), and all the titles on the CD "Close To You And More" (7-46572-2).

1958 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is #7 on WMCA's Wax To Watch chart in New York City, New York.

1958 - The Kingston Trio (Donald "Dave" Guard on vocals and guitar, Robert "Bob Shane" Schoen on vocals, guitar, and banjo, and Nicholas "Nick" Reynolds on vocals and guitar), with Morty Corb on bass and celeste, records the titles "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)" and "When The Saints Go Marching In" in Studio B of The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Scarlett Ribbons (For Her Hair)" as a single (Capitol F3970) with "Three Jolly Coachman" (recorded February 5,1958) on the flipside and on the group's EP "Raspberries, Strawberries" (EAP-1-1182) and "When The Saints Go Marching In" as a single in Australia (CP1373) with "The Tijuana Jail" (recorded February 18, 1959) on the flipside.

1964 - The Beatles' have 12 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart with titles at #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 44, 49, 69, 79, 84 and 88. The band also becomes the only act to date in Billboard history to have three consecutive # 1 songs ("Can't Buy Me Love" takes over the # 1 spot from "She Loves You", which succeeded "I Want to Hold Your Hand"). The Beatles' Capitol Records album "Meet The Beatles" is also #1 on Billboard's album chart.

1964 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Together Again", the flipside of "My Heart Skips A Beat", is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1965 - Freddie and The Dreamers' Tower Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) single "I'm Telling You Now", with "What Have I Done To You" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's "Hot 100" singles chart.

1967 - The Geezinslaw Brothers (vocalists Sam Allred and Raymond Dewayne Smith), with unlisted musicians, record the titles "Change Of Wife", "If They Could See The Self Come Out Of Me", "I Wouldn't Do It", and "I'm A People" in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Kelso Herston. Capitol Records will issue the first, second, and last title on the duo's album "My Dirty Lowdown, Rotten, Cotton Pickin' Little Darlin'" (ST 2771), and the third title on their album "Chubby" (Capitol ST 2885). Unfortunately, only "Change Of Wife" is currently available on YouTube.

1968 - The Sugar Shoppe (Peter Mann on vocal and guitar, Laurie Hood on vocals, Victor Garber on vocals and guitar, and Lee Harris on vocals), with The Clique (Al Casey, Al Viola, Howard Robert, Louis Morrell, and Mike Deasy on guitars, Bill Plummer on sitar, Lewis Carroll on trumpet, Lew McCreary and Louis Blackburn on trombones, Abe Most, Jim Horn, and Plas Johnson on saxophones, Al De Lory, Larry Knechtel, and Michael Rubini on pianos and keyboards, Gary Coleman on vibraphone, and percussion, Carol Kaye and Don Bagley on basses, Earl Palmer and Stan Levey on drums, Hal Blaine on drums, vibraphone, and percussion, Stella Castellucci on harp) and a string section (Alfred Lastgarten, Arnold Belnick, Harry Hyams, Henry Roth, Israel Baker, James Getzoff, Marshall Sasson, Nathan Ross, Sam Boghossian, and William Hymanson on violins and violas, and Anne Goodman, Armand Kaproff, Frederick Seykora, and Nathan Gershman on cellos), using vocal arrangments by Peter Mann and instrumental arrangements by Mort Garson, records the titles "Follow Me (From 'Camelot')", "Baby, Baby", and "Hangin' Together" in Los Angeles, California with producer Al De Lory. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "The Sugar Shoppe" (ST 2949).

Peter Mann, Victor Garber, Laurie Hood, Lee Harris, and Al De Lory

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

1968 - Guy Lombardo conducts His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Medley #1" and "Medley #2" in Las Vegas, Nevada for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.

1968 - Vocalist George "Goober" Lindsey, the vocal group The Jordanaires, and unlisted others record the titles "Introduction", "My Goal For Today", "Sweet Thang", "Write Me R.F.D.", and "I Ain't Good Looking (But I'm Mighty Sweet)" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Lindsey's album "Goober Sings!" (ST 2965).

George “Goober” Lindsey, promoting his 1968 album “Goober Sings” at KBBQ radio in Burbank, California. He’s flanked by KBBQ music director Larry Scott, Don Grierson of Capitol Records, and disc jockeys Bob Jackson and  Hugh Jarrett

1971 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "Empty Arms", with "Everything Begins And Ends With You" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1973 - Vocalist Marjorie McCoy, with unlisted others, records the titles "Shine", "Do Me Wrong, But Do Me", and "You Never Wanna Make Love To Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Shine" and "Do Me Wrong, But Do Me" together as a single (Capitol 3621). No issuing information is listed for "You Never Wanna Make Love To Me".

1973 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for Al Martino's titles "Hey Mama" and "If I Ever Give My Heart To You". After more overdubs are recorded for both titles on April 5 and 9, 1973, for "Hey Mama" on April 10, 1973, and for "If I Give My Heart To You" on April 11, 1973, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles together as a single (Capitol 3604) and "Hey Mama" on Martino's album "I Won't Last A Day Without You" (ST-11302).

1973 - Capitol Records registers the master it purchased for Buck Owens' title "Love Makes The World Go Round" which was recorded at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and will issue the title on Owens' album "Arms Full Of Empty" (ST-11222).

1973 - Raspberries (Eric Carmen and Wally Bryson on vocals and guitars, Dave Smalley on electric bass, and Jim Bonfanti [listed as possibly] on drums) record the titles "I'm A Rocker", "On The Beach", "Ecstasy", and "Don't You Wait For Me" in The Record Plant studios New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "I'm A Rocker", "On The Beach", and "Ecstasy" on the group's album "Side 3" (SMAS-11220), "I'm A Rocker" as a single (Capitol 3765) with "Money Down" (recorded April 3, 1973) on the flipside, an edited version of "I'm A Rocker" as a single (Capitol 6327) with "Overnight Sensation" (recorded April 1, 1973) on the flipside, "Ecstasy" as a single (Capitol 3826) with the short version of "Don't Want To Say Goodbye" (recorded November 20, 1971) on the flipside, and has yet to issue "Don't You Wait For Me".

1978 - Colleen Peterson, with unlisted others, records the titles "Angelina" and "Need Your Lovin'" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Peterson's album "Takin' My Boots Off" (ST-11835).

1978 - Bert Sommer, with unlisted others, records the titles "Would You Rather Be Here" and "Break Away" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No release information is listed for either title.

1978 - Caldera (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Reviviscence" and "Mosaico" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's album "Time And Chance" (SW-11810).

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1952 - Gary Moore, a guitarist, singer, a founding member of Thin Lizzy, and a 10 Records and Virgin Records America solo artist, is born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. One of the first freelance design projects I worked on for Virgin Records America was converting the English 12" vinyl record, cassette, and CD packaging for Moore's "Wild Frontier" album for release in the United States. I met him while working for the label and I remember him being kind of shy and humble in person.

1988 - After a break from recording of seven years, Buck Owens duets with Dwight Yoakam to record the title "Streets Of Bakersfield" which will be released by Reprise Records as a single with Yoakam's "One More Name" on the flipside. Buck Owens will then begin recording again for Capitol Records later the same year.