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.

APRIL 3, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1936 - Jimmy McGriff, organist and Sue, Veep, Solid State, Blue Note, and Capitol Records artist, is born James Harrell McGriff in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1942- Wayne Newton, a singer, television and motion picture actor, and a Capitol Records artist is born Carson Wayne Newton in Roanoke, Virginia.

80 Years Ago Today in 1945 - Richard Manuel, a singer, composer, a keyboard player for the band The Hawks and the Capitol Records group The Band, is born in Stratford, Ontario.

1949 - Richard Thompson, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, founding member of the group Fairport Convention, part of a duo with then-wife Linda Thompson, and Capitol Records solo artist, is born in London, England.

1951 - Mel Schacher, a bassist with the Capitol Records band Grand Funk Railroad, is born in Owosso, Michigan.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1946 - Tenor saxophonist Sam Donahue and his orchestra (Mitch Paul, Bill Marshall, Frank Beach, and Earl Collier on trumpets, Dick Le Fave, Tak Takvorian, Kenny Miesel, and Sid Brantley on trombones, Harry Peterson, Bill Nichol, and Paul Petrillo on alto saxophones, Max Kriseman also on tenor saxophone, George Perry on baritone saxophone, Bob Durant on piano, Louis Popp on bass, and Harold Hahn on drums) record the titles "Dinah", "Gypsy Love Song", and "Moten Swing" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will eventually issue all the titles on the album "Classics In Jazz - Sam Donahue" (T 626).

1948 - It's a Saturday in Hollywood, California and while Nat and Marie Cole are on their honeymoon, and the rest of the trio are on vacation, Dave Barbour and his wife, Peggy Lee, are the guest hosts and performers on NBC Radio's "King Cole Trio Time". No known transcription of this show exists.

1949 - Capitol Records team Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis record the audition episode of their NBC Radio program, "The Martin And Lewis Show". Their first guest is Bob Hope. The show will run until 1952. Numerous references to Capitol Records appear on the show and one episode has them taking Burl Ives into Capitol Records' studios for a recording session.

1951 - Vocalist Tex Ritter, with Paul Sells on accordion, Alan "Spud" Goodale, Merle Travis, and Wesley Tuttle on guitar, and Gene Englund on bass, records the titles "Blue Tail, The Red Fox" and "The Noise Song" at Capitol Records studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a children's record album (CAS-3100).

1953 - During two sessions held this day in Chicago, Illinois, bandleader and 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 clarinets and alto saxophones, Tom Loggia and Bill Usselton on tenor saxophones, Leo Anthony on alto and baritone saxophones, Dave Sills on piano, Earl Backus on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, Archie Freeman on drums), using arrangements by George Williams, record the titles "Laugh" and "Why, Darling, Why", both with vocals by Georgia Carr and the titles "Jealousie" and "To Each His Own", both with vocals by Tommy Mercer and The Anthony Choir (lineup unlisted), and "The Moon Is Low" with vocals by The Anthony Choir at the first session and a new take of the title "When The Saint's Go Marching In" with vocals by Ray Anthony and The Skyliners (lineup unlisted) and the titles "Ever Since You Went Away" with vocals by Jo Ann Greer and "My Reverie" with vocals by Tommy Mercer and The Anthony Choir at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Laugh" and "Why, Darling, Why" together as a single (Capitol 2466) as by Georgia Carr, "Jealousie", "To Each His Own", "The Moon Is Low", and "My Reverie" on the album "The Anthony Choir with Ray Anthony And His Orchestra" (EAP-1/2-442 on 7" EP, EBF-442 on 7" EP set, H-442 on 10" LP, and T 422 on 12" LP), "When The Saints Go Marching In" as a single (Capitol 2488) with "That's My Weakness" (recorded April 1, 1953) on the flipside, on the 7" EP "Ray Anthony And His Orchestra - Dixie Parade" (EAP-1-539), and the compilation album "The Hits Of Ray Anthony" (T 1477), and "Ever Since You Went Away" on the multi-artist compilation EP "Frank Sinatra/Ray Anthony - Melody Of Love" (EAP-1-590).

1953 - During two sessions held this day in either Dallas, Texas or (listed as possibly) radio station KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana, vocalist and guitarist Leon Chappel, with (listed as possibly) Elmer Leon "Lonnie" Hall on fiddle, Bernie Harkness on piano, Thomas Merle Shelton on rhythm guitar, and Grundy "Slim" Harbert on bass, records the titles "Double Up And Catch Up", "What Makes You Hesitate", "Sweethearts Or Friends", and "How Come You Do Me Like You Do" at the first session and the titles "Now Do Right Daddy", "I'm Gettin' Mighty Tired", "A True Man's Hard To Find", and "I'm Checkin' You Out" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Double Up And Catch Up" and "I'm Gettin' Might Tired" together as a single (Capitol 2526) and "Now Do Right Daddy" as a single (Capitol 2611) with "Don't Dog Me 'Round" (recorded November 14, 1951) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on the CD "Leon Chappel - Automatic Mama" (BCD 16254).

1956 - Cornet player Bobby Hackett, with Glenn Osser conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted but included saxophone players who also were doubling on clarinet, bass clarinet, piccolo, flute, and alto flute, as well as piano, celeste, guitar, bass, and drum players), records the titles "When I'm With You", "You Are Too Beautiful", "Moonlight Becomes You", and "Two Cigarettes In The Dark" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Hackett's album "Rendezvous With Bobby Hackett" (T 719).

1958 - Vocalist Johnny Otis and His Orchestra (unlisted saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums players) record the titles "Ring-A-Ling", "Willie And The Hand Jive", "Black Night (Soundtrack)" and an untitled instrumental in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Ring-A-Ling" and "Willie And The Hand Jive" together as a single (Capitol F3966) and on the 7" EP "Johnny Otis" (EAP-1-1134) and has yet to issue "Black Night" or the unlisted instrumental.

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 trombones, 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 "A Wonderful Guy" using an arrangement by Stumpe Brown, "Bali Ha'i" using an arrangement by Billy May, "Honey Bun" using an arrangement by Jim Hill, and "There Is Nothing Like A Dame" using an arrangement by Wes Hensel in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Brown's album "Dance To The Music Of 'South Pacific'" (EAP-1/2/3-1060 on 7" EP and T/ST 1060 on 12" vinyl).

1961 - Vocalist Nat "King" Cole, with Ralph Carmichael directing the orchestra (Curtis "King Curtis" Ousley on tenor saxophone, Ernie Hayes on piano, John Collins, Kenny Burrell, and Everett Barksdale on electric guitars, and possibly Lee Young on drums), records new stereo versions of the titles "Send For Me", "If I May" with a unidentified vocal quartet, and "Looking Back" with a unidentified vocal chorus at Capitol Records' studios in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles in the three-LP set "The Nat King Cole Story" (WCL 1613).

1963 - Nat "King" Cole performs in The Copa Room at The Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1963 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys' titles "The More In Love Your Heart Is" and "Whatever Happened To Mary". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of "The More In Love Your Heart Is" as a single (Capitol F4968) with "I Wasn't Even In The Running" (recorded December 12, 1962) on the flipside and the final mix of "Whatever Happened To Mary" as a single (Capitol F5217) with "The Luckiest Heartache In Town" (also recorded December 12, 1962) on the flipside and on Thompson's album "Luckiest Heartache In Town" (T/ST 2342).

1968 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Jimmy Jones conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, Buddy Collette, Bill Perkins, Bill Green, Bill Calkins, Jules Jacob, and Bob Richards on reeds, Don Trenner on piano and harpsichord, Herb Ellis and Al Hendrickson on guitars, Buster Williams on bass, Earl Palmer on drums, Larry Bunker on percussion, Ann Stockton on harp, and unlisted musicians on ten violins, three violas, two cellos, and one bass), records the titles "Gentle On My Mind", "Walk Away", and "The Christmas Waltz" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Gentle On My Mind" and "Walk Away" on Miss Wilson's album "Easy" (ST 2909) and "The Christmas Waltz" on the multi-artist two-disc album "The Best Of Christmas" (STBB 2979).

1968 - Guy Lombardo conducts His Royal Canadians (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Medley #3" and "Medley #7" in Las Vegas, Nevada for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.

1969 - Billy Preston signs with Apple Records and his titles will be released by Capitol Records in the United States.

1972 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens and The Buckaroos' single "Made  In Japan", with "Black Texas Dirt" on the flipside, which will eventually peak at #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1973 - Vocalist Al Martino, with unlisted others using string arrangements by Ralph Ferraro, records the titles "Hey Mama" and "If I Give My Heart To You" in Los Angeles, California with producer Peter Tavis. After overdubs are recorded for both titles on April 4, 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 - The 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 "Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak", "Making It Easy", "Should I Wait", "Money Down", "Last Dance", and "Tonight" in The Record Plant studios in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Side 3" (SMAS-11220), "Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak" and "Tonight" together as a single (Capitol 3610) and "Money Down" as a single (Capitol 3765) with "I'm A Rocker" (recorded April 4, 1973) on the flipside.

1973 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the titles "Bonaparte's Retreat" and "Let Me Be Yours" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Bonaparte's Retreat" as a single (Capitol 3926) with "Too Many Mornings" (recorded December 15, 1973) on the flipside and on Campbell's album "Houston (I'm Comin' To See You)" (SW-11293) and has yet to issue "Let Me Be Yours".

1978 - Colleen Peterson, with unlisted others, records the titles "Run To Her", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Maybe It's Love", and "Booze The Blues Away" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "It Hurt's To Be In Love" for which no issuing information is listed, on Peterson's album "Takin' My Boots Off" (ST-11835).

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1941 - Jan Berry, a singer, songwriter, and a member of the Liberty Records duo Jan and Dean is born William Jan Berry in Los Angeles, California.

1946 - Dee Murray, bass player for the United Artists Records band The Spencer Davis Group is born in Gillingham, Kent, England.

1961 - Ernie K-Doe's Minit Records single "Mother-In-Law", with "Wanted, $10,000 Reward" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts. Some copies of the single have the A-side mastered at 33rpm by mistake. Minit's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company Universal Group.

1976 - United Artists Records releases Crystal Gayle's single "I'll Get Over You", with "High Time" on the flipside, which will eventually peak at #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

35 Years Ago Today In 1990 - Sarah Vaughn, singer and Roulette and Mercury Records artist, dies of lung cancer in California a week after her 66th birthday.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

40 Years Ago Today In 1985 - The famed Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood on Vine Street closed on this day, after 57 years. Many early Capitol Records celebrations and business meetings happened in its booths. Also, it was the site of the founding of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. All of the furnishings were kept, including famous Booth #5 where Clark Gable proposed to Carole Lombard until the building was condemned and torn down after the January 1994 Northridge, California earthquake.

APRIL 2, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1921 - Boomie Richman, a tenor saxophone and flute player, and member of Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman's orchestra (1953-1954), is born Abraham Samuel Richman in Brockton, Massachusetts.

1942 - Leon Russell, a pianist, singer, songwriter, and a Capitol and Shelter Records session musician and solo artist is born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma,

1948 - Kerry Minnear, a keyboard (piano, Hammond organ, mellotron, mini-MOOG, the Regal) player, lead and backing vocalist, cello player, and member of the Capitol Records group Gentle Giant, is born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. There are also references to him being born on January 2, 1948. If anyone knows for sure which date is correct, please leave a comment.

1962 - Billy Dean, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and an EMI America and Capitol Records Nashville artist is born William Harold Dean, Jr. in Quincy, Florida.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1948 - Peggy Lee's Capitol Records single "Mañana (Is Soon Enough For Me", with "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" on the flipside is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Most Played By Disc Jockeys, Best-Selling Popular Retail, and Most-Played Juke Box Records charts for the week ending April 2, 1948.

1948 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #3 and its flipside, The King Cole Trio's "Lost April", is #5 on The Billboard magazine's Record Possibilities - The Disk Jockey's Pick chart and "Nature Boy" is #4 on the magazine's Record Possibilities - The Retailers Pick chart.

1948 - Vocalists Jack Smith and The Clark Sisters, with unlisted others, record the titles "Baby Face" and "Heart Braker in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 15078).

1952 - Billy May (conducting his own arrangements) and His Orchestra (Tony Facciuto, Conrad Gozzo, Bob McKenzie, and Stu Williamson on trumpet, Karl De Karske, Charles Etter, Bob Raesinger, and Bob Robinson on trombones, Willie Smith and Eddie Freeman on alto saxophones, Charlie Deremoe and Joe Spang on tenor saxophones, Bob Dawes on baritone saxophone, Cliff Fishbach on piano, Ray Pohlman on guitar, Ted Hammond on bass, and Remo Belli on drums), with the vocal group The Maytimers (Willie Smith, Charles Etter, Bob McKenzie, and Ray Pohlman), record the titles "Honest And Truly", "Gin And Tonic", "Love Is Just Around The Corner", "Easy Street" and "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last titles together as a single (Capitol 2054), the second and third titles together as a single (Capitol 2157), and the fourth title as a single (Capitol 2113) with "Mayhem" (recorded on February 8, 1952) on the flipside.

1953 - Vocalist Frank Sinatra, at his first recording session for Capitol Records, with Axel Stordahl conducting the orchestra (Heine Beau, Leonard Hartman, Arthur "Skeets" Herfert, and Theodore Nash on reeds, Rubin "Zeke" Zarchy on trumpet, Vincent De Rosa on French horn, George Van Eps on guitar, Philip Stephens on bass, Bill Miller on piano, Ann Stockton on harp, Ray Hagan on drums, Harry Bluestone, Murray Kellner, Alex Murray, Paul Nero, Irving Prager, and Mischa Russell on violins, Paul Robyn and Dave Sterkin on violas, and Cy Bernard on cello), records the titles "Lean Baby" with an arrangement by Heine Beau, and "I'm Walking Behind You", "Day In - Day Out", and "Don't Make A Beggar Of Me" using arrangments by Stordhal at radio station KHJ's studios (which is now the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study and The Academy Film Archive) at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM, although Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant was sure that Frank, Sr. kept recording at Columbia's studios on Sunset Blvd. opposite what is now the Spaghetti Factory. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment. Capitol Records will issue "Lean Baby" and "I'm Walking Behind You" together as a single (Capitol 2450), "Don't Make A Beggar Of Me" on the compilation album "Forever Frank" (T 2602), and all the titles on the remastered 1999 CD release of Sinatra's album "Point Of No Return" (7-48334-2).

1953 - During a concert held at the Blue Note in Chicago, Illinois, Capitol Records artist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Bob Burgess, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Vinnie Dean, Don Dennis, Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca, Lee Konitz, Hank Levey, Stan Levey, Keith Moon, George Roberts, Glen Roberts, Frank Rosolino, Ernie Royal, Sal Salvador, Tom Shepard, Don Smith) perform "Theme (Artistry In Rhythm) And Opening Announcements", "Works (Aka Bill Holman's Work)", "Yesterdays", "Swinghouse", "Stan Kenton Speaks", "Gone With The Wind", and "There Will Never Be Another You" which are recorded and later released by Natasha Imports in 1992 on the album "23 Degrees North, 82 Degrees West" (NI-4006).

1956 - Pianist Lou Busch, as Joe "Fingers" Carr", with a orchestra and chorus (lineups unlisted), records the titles "Fingers Medley: Hot Potatoes/Two Dollar Rag/Looney Louie", "Portuguese Washerwoman", and "Lucky Pierre" (originally titled "La Saint Amour") in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first title as a single (Capitol F3883) with "Dominque" (recorded August 9, 1957) on the flipside and the last two titles together as a single (Capitol 3418).

1956 - Trumpet player Ray Anthony and his orchestra (Ray Sims on trombone, Ronny Lang on alto saxophone, Med Flory on alto and tenor saxophone, Dave Pell on tenor saxophone, Marty Berman on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Tony Rizzi on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, Roy Harte on drums, and Lou Singer on percussion), using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the titles "The Sleepwalker" with a vocal group (lineup unlisted) and the as yet to be issued takes of the titles "Cornet Capers" and "Let's Make A Scene" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Sleepwalker" as a single (Capitol 3416) with "Chubasco" (recorded March 26, 1956) on the flipside.

1957 - Peggy Lee, with producer Frank Sinatra conducting the orchestra (Buddy Collette and Harry Klee on alto saxophones, Stanley "Champ" Webb and James Williamson on tenor saxophones, Tommy Pederson on trombone, James Decker and Sinclair Lott on French horns, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Nick Bonney on guitar, Max Bennett on stand up bass, Lou Levy on piano, Stella Castellucci on the harp, Lou Singer on drums, Victor Arno, Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harold Dicterow, David Frisina, Henry Hill, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Eudice Shapiro, and Marshall Sosson on violins, Alvin Dinkin, Maxine Johnson, and Barbara Simons on violas, and Ennio Bologinni, Victor Gottlieb, Edgar Lustgarten, and Kurt Reher on cellos), records the titles "He's My Guy", "Something Wonderful", "Please Be Kind", and "The Man I Love" for her Capitol Records album "The Man I Love" using arrangements by Nelson Riddle in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

1958 - The motion picture "The Young Lions", starring Capitol Records artist Dean Martin, as well as Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift, opens and makes Martin a dramatic movie star on his own right without Jerry Lewis.

1958 - Paramount Picture's "St. Louis Blues", starring Nat "King" Cole as W.C. Handy, is previewed for the press in New York City, New York. The Billboard magazine's reviewer Charles Sinclair writes that it is "an eye-and-ear treat, and the warmest kind of tribute to a simple, great, talented composer".

1958 - During two sessions held this day in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California, bandleader and trumpet player Harry James and His Orchestra (Nick Buono, Ollie Mitchell, and Bob Rolfe also on trumpets, Bob Edmondson and Ray Sims on trombones, Ernie Tack on bass trombone, 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 "Walkin'", "Raffles", "Warm Blue Stream", and "Ho, Yeah!" at the first session and the titles "Walkin' On Air", "Bells", and a new take of "Bangtail" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Walkin'", "Warm Blue Stream", "Walkin' On Air", and "Bells" on the album "The New James" (EAP-1/2/3-1037 on 7" EP set and T 1037 on 12" LP) and rejected the takes of "Raffles", "Ho, Yeah" and "Bangtail" recorded at these sessions.

1958 - Alvino Rey conducts His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Little White Lies", "Isn't It Romantic", "I Didn't Know About You", and "A Swingin' Fling (Nails)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Rey's album "Swingin' Fling!" (T 1085).

1961 - Comedians Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, in front of a live audience, record the titles "2000 Year Old Man", "Fabiola", "The Astronaught", "In A Coffee House: The Depressed One/The Actor/The Painter/The Folk Singer", "The Peruvian", and "The Psychiatrist" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "2000 Years With Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks" (W 1529).

1963 - "Best Foot Forward", an off-Broadway show starring Capitol Records artist Liza Minnelli, opens. Her mother, Judy Garland, will attend the show the next night so as not to draw attention away from Liza on opening night.

1966 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Sloop John B", with "You're So Good To Me" enters Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart where it will stay for 11 weeks and peak at #3 on May 7, 1966.

1967 - The Beatles finish recording tracks at EMI's Abbey Road Studios for their Capitol Records album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

1968 - The Sugar Shoppe (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Let The Truth Come Out" and "Skip-A-Long Sam" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2233) and on the group's self-titled album "The Sugar Shoppe" (ST 2959).

1968 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Jimmy Jones conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, Buddy Collette, Bill Perkins, Bill Green, Bill Calkins, Jules Jacob, and Bob Richards on reeds, Don Trenner on piano and harpsichord, Herb Ellis and Al Hendrickson on guitars, Buster Williams on bass, Earl Palmer on drums, Larry Bunker on percussion, Ann Stockton on harp, and unlisted musicians on ten violins, three violas, two cellos, and one bass), records the titles "How Incentive (Insensatez)", "Make Me A Present Of You", "Love Is Blue", and "One Like You" 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 "Anna Lee, The Healer" 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 #6" and "Medley #8" in Las Vegas, Nevada for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title.

1973 - Apple Records releases The Beatles compilation albums "The Beatles '62-66" (aka The Red Album) and "The Beatles '67-70" (aka The Blue Album) which will be distributed by Capitol Records in the United States.

1986 - Vocalist Tina Turner, with unlisted others, records the title "Don't Turn Around" in an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5615) with "Typical Male" (recorded March 5, 1986) on the flipside.

1996 - Capitol Records releases Rosanne Cash's album "10 Song Demo".

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1872 - Samuel Morse, inventor of the Morse code and grandfather of Leila Morse (who first lit the beacon that spells out "H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D" on the top of The Capitol Tower), dies at age 80 at his home at 5 West 22nd Street, New York, New York and is later buried in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

105 Years Ago Today In 1920 - Jack Webb, radio, motion picture (Capitol released the soundtrack to his movie "Pete Kelly's Blues") and television actor, director, producer, singer, and one-time husband of Liberty Records artist Julie London, is born John Randolph Webb in Los Angeles, California.

1941 - Dr. Demento, radio disk jockey, syndicated radio show host, pop/novelty tune music historian, who gave Capitol Records artist Weird Al Yankovic his first on-air appearance, is born Barret Eugene Hansen in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1963 - Guitarist Kenny Burrell, with Seldon Powell on tenor saxophone, Hank Jones on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums, records the title "I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue the title in Japan in the album "Freedom" (GXF-3057) in 1979).

1988 - Johnny Hates Jazz's Virgin Records America single "Shattered Dreams", with "My Secret Garden" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. I did the final design production on the U.S. packaging for the single, its promotional material, and trade advertising.

1989 - Roxette's EMI America single "The Look", with "Silver Blue" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

19 Years Ago Today On Sunday, April 2, 2006 - I started my blog on the history of Capitol Records..
It's been over a decade of learning and having fun communicating with those with questions or comments about the label. It's led me to making some great new friends and being able to contribute to a number of Capitol-related projects. The Capitol Records Tower's official 69th anniversary of opening is this Sunday, April 6 and the label's 83rd anniversary of incorporation as Capitol Records will be next Wednesday on April 9, 2025 (the label did start out as Liberty Records on February 7, 1942, but had to change its name due to a conflict with Liberty Music in New York City that couldn't be resolved). Here's a link to my first post. From there, you can follow the links to the posts from the first week or so when I posted a lot of information about the company and the tower.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1902 - The Electric Theatre, the first theater constructed for the purpose of showing projected motion pictures in Los Angeles, is opened by owner and manager Thomas L. Talley (later a co-founder of First National Exhibitors Circuit) on the second floor of 262 South Main Street at Third and charges a dime to see an hour’s worth of movies, including the films "The Capture Of The Biddle Brothers" and "New York In A Blizzard".

1992 - Milton Rackmil, co-founder of Decca Records, dies in Manhattan, New York at age 86.

APRIL 1, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

115 Years Ago Today In 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, and a solo Capitol Records artist, is born in Brooklyn, New York.

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

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.