MAY 15, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

90 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Anna Maria Alberghetti, Broadway, motion picture, and television actress, classical and pop singer, and Capitol Records artist (1957-1959), is born in Pesaro, Marche, Italy.

1944 - Graeham Goble, guitarist with the Capitol Records group The Little River Band and the duo Birtles & Goble, is born in Adelaide, Australia.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Jonathan Richman, singer, songwriter, founder of the band The Modern Lovers, solo artist, Capitol Records artist (on the motion picture soundtrack to "There's Something About Mary"), is born in Boston, Massachusetts.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1948 - Nat "King" Cole (with orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol)'s Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Peggy Lee (with Dave Barbour and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Mañana" is #3.

1948 - Rene Touzet (aka Buddy Cole) directs His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Masquerade", "Quien Sabe? (Who Knows?)", "Ron Y Rumba", "Modernizando", "Goo Goo", "Just And Idea", "Impia", and "Peanut Vendor" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Masquerade" and "Just An Idea" together as a single (Capitol 15360), "Quien Sabe? (Who Knows?)" and "Impia" together as a single (Capitol 15252), and has yet to issue any of the other titles.

1953 - Vocalist Gisele MacKenzie, with Buddy Cole and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)" and "I Didn't Want To Love You" with the addition of a vocal group (lineup unlisted) and the titles "Half-Hearted" and "Till They've All Gone Home" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)" and "I Didn't Want To Love You" together as a single (Capitol 2501) and "Half-Hearted" and "Till They've All Gone Home" together as a single (Capitol 2556).

1954 - Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Young At Heart" is #3 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Kay Starr (with orchestra conducted by Harold Mooney)'s Capitol Records single "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" is #6 and it's flipside "The Man Upstairs" is #8, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Answer Me, My Love" is #11.

1954 - Jack Benny signs a contract with Alan Livingston to record tracks for Capitol's Children's Records Music Appreciation Series.

1958 - The Four Freshmen (Bob Flanigan on lead vocals, and Don Barbour, Ross Barbour, and Ken Albers on vocals), with Dick Reynolds conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Ray Triscari, Buddy Childers, Virgil Evans, and Jack Laubach on trumpets, Milt Bernhart and Harry Betts on trombones, Ken Shroyer on bass trombone, Hymie Gunkler and Eddie Rosa on alto saxophone, Ted Nash and Med Flory on tenor saxophones, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Al Viola on gutiar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Bill Richmond on drums), records the titles "This Octobber", "When I'm Happy", and "Sunday Blues" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the nine-LP box set "The Complete Capitol Four Freshmen Fifties Sessions" (MD9-203).

1958 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Jules Chaikin, Billy Catalano, Lee Katzman, and Phil Gilbert on trumpets, Archie Le Coque, Kent Larsen, Don Reed, and Jim Amlotte on trombones, John "Tommy"Johnson on tuba, Lennie Niehaus on alto saxophone, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophones, Bill Robinson and Steve Perlow on baritone saxophones, Red Kelly on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums) record the titles "Beside The Bay", "Harbor Lights", and "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Creative World will issue "Beside The Bay" on the album "Stan Kenton - By Request, Volume 6" (ST-1069). The other two titles have yet to be issued.

1958 - Fred Waring conducts The Pennsylvanians (lineup unlisted) as they records the titles "Min Skol, Din Skol" using an arrangement by Hawley Ades and "Zorro" using an arrangement by Harry Simeone in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3993).

1958 - Vocalist Jean Shepard, with Floyd Cramer on piano, Thomas Grady Martin or Jackie Phelps on lead guitar, Ray Edenton on rhythm guitar, (listed as probably) Walter Haynes on steel guitar, Roy M "Junior" Huskey, Jr. on bass, and Murray M. "Buddy" Harman, Jr. on drums, records the titels "Secret Life", "Jealous Heart", and "Sweet Temptation" at Bradley Film And Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.Capitol Records will issue "Secret Life" as a single (Capitol F4013) with "He's My Baby" (recorded May 17, 1958) on the flipside, "Jealous Heart" on Shepard's album "Heartaches & Tears" (T/ST 1663), and "Sweet Temptation" on Shepard's album "Lonesome Love" (EAP-2-1126 on 7" EP and T 1126 on 12" LP).

1958 - Pianist and vocalist Esquerita (Eskew Reeder, Jr.), a "discovery" by Paul Peek and Gene Vincent and a major influence on Little Richard, at his first session as a Capitol Records artist, with Andrew Lee Goodrich on tenor saxophone, Vincent Moses on guitar, Floyd T. Chance on bass, and Johnny "Richardo" Young on drums, records the title "Oh Baby" with Atlanta-based vocal group The Gardenias (Calvin Arnold, Carlton Sheppard, Jr., Lloyd White and William Dixon), "Please Come On Home", "Sarah Lee", and (again with The Gardenias) the first version of "I Live The Life I Love" at RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Oh Baby" and "Please Come On Home" together as a single (Capitol F4007) and all the titles on CD "Capitol Collectors Series - Esquerita" (7-91871-2).

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls" is #29 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1963 - Vocalist Nat "King" Cole, with Ralph Carmichael conducting the vocal chorus (lineup unlisted) and orchestra (Tommy Johnson on tuba, Milt Raskin on piano, Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson, and Alvino Rey on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, Frank Carlson on drums, Larry Bunker on percussion and a string section with Victor Arno, Arnold 'Al' Belnick, Emil Briano, James Getzoff, Nathan Ross, Sidney Sharp, Paul Shure, and Gerald Vinci on violin), records the titles "On The Sidewalks Of New York", "Get Out And Get Under The Moon", "After The Ball Is Over", There's A Tavern In The Town", "On A Bicycle Build For Two", and "In The Good Old Summertime" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Streeet in Hollywood, California at an extended session held between 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the songs on Cole's album "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" (T 1932). Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" debuts at #24 on WMCA's Top Twenty-Five chart in New York City, New York.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Capitol Records is a sponsor of "A Tribute To Judy Holliday", a banquet to benefit The American Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.

1967 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Sam's Place" is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1968 - Bruce Johnston signs a contract with Capitol Records and becomes part of the Capitol Records group The Beach Boys.

1968 - Vocalist and guitarist Mary McCaslin, with unlisted others, records the titles "With The Sun In My Eyes" and "From Some Cool Blue-Iced Shore" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Bear Family Records will issue both titles in Germany on the CD "Mary McCaslin - Rain/The Lost Album" (BCD 16232).

1968 - Vocalist Nancy Wilson, with Jimmy Jones conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Clyde Raesinger on trumpet, John Audino, Bobby Bryant, and Harry Edison on trumpets and flugelhorns, Chuck Cooper, Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, Dick Nash, Lew McCreary, and Ken Shroyer on trombones, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt on alto saxophone, William Green and Plas Johnson on saxophones and clarinets, Justin Gordon on saxophone and flute, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, and bass clarinet, Don Trenner on piano, Bob Bain and Mundell Lowe on guitars, Buster Williams on bass, Shelly Manne on drums, Larry Bunker, Gene Estes, and Victor Feldman on vibraphone and percusssion) records the titles "By Myself", "This Bitter Earth", "The Rules Of The Road", and "It Only Takes A Moment" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Wilson's album "The Sound Of Nancy Wilson" (ST 2970) and "This Bitter Earth" also as a single (Capitol 2283) with "Peace Of Mind" (recorded May 16, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Hardwater (lineup unlisted) records the title "Birds Of Prey" at the first session and the title "Good Life & Hard Times" at the second session for Capitol Records which has yet to issue "Birds Of Prey. No issuing information is listed for "Good Life & Hard Times".

1968 - Vocalist Bobby Gentry, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using an arrangement by Perry Botkin, Jr., records the title "Eleanor Rigby" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Gentry's album "Local Gentry" (ST 2964).

1968 - Vocalist Bettye Swann, with unlisted others, records the titles "I'm Lonely For You" and "My Heart Is Closed For The Season" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue the take of "I'm Lonely For You" recorded at this session. Swann will record a new take of the title on May 29, 1968, and that take will be issued with the take of "My Heart Is Closed For The Season" recorded at this session as a single (Capitol 2263).

1968 - The Immigrants (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Don't Handle Me With Satin", "But On The Other Hand", "I'm Going Home", and "Someday Soon" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

1968 - Guitarist Merle Travis, using his own arrangement, records the titLe "Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the title on Travis' album "Strictly Guitar" (ST 2938).

1970 - Harvest Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) band Pink Floyd perform a two-and-a-half-hour set at Crystal Palace in England, complete with fireworks and fifty-foot inflatable octopus, that is so loud that fish die in the nearby lake.

1972 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records compilation album "Greatest Hits" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1973 - Purlie (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Burgerette" and "Ants And Termites" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3681).

1973 - Capitol Records registers in Los Angeles, California the master for Tony Booth's title "Don't Let True Love Slip Away" that it was recorded in the Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and purchased from Buck Owens Enterprises and will issue the title as a single (Capitol 3939) with "Old Faithful" (registered on April 13, 1973) on the flipside and on Booth's album "This Is Tony Booth" (ST-11210).

1973 - Ultra Violet (aka Isabelle Collin Dufresne), with Todd Rundgren on guitar, records the title "As Time Goes By" in Los Angeles, California with producer Jeffrey Cheen. Capitol Records will issue the title on Ultra Violet's self-titled album "Ultra Violet" (ST-11244).

50 Years Ago Today In 1976 - The Sylvers' Capitol Records single "Boogie Fever", with "Free Style" on the flipside, becomes Capitol Records first R&B single to hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart.

1978 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the titles "Sing It Nice And Loud For Me Sonny", "Never Tell You No Lies", and "Let's All Sing A Song About It" in Sherman Oaks, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Campbell's album "Basic" (SW-11722), "Never Tell You No Lies" also as a single (Capitol 4715) with "California" (recorded February 22, 1978) on the flipside and "Let's All Sing A Song About It" also as a single (Capitol 4638) with "Can You Fool" (also recorded February 22, 1978) on the flipside.

1978 - Colleen Peterson, with unlisted others, records the titles "The Last Time I Saw You", "Denver Hotel", and "One Horse Town" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "The Last Time I Saw You" and "One Horse Town" on Peterson's album "Takin' My Boots Off" (ST-11835). No issuing information is listed for "Denver Hotel".

1988 - Mother's Finest (lineup unlisted) records the title "Heartbreaker" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Looks Could Kill" (C1-48988 on 12" LP and 7-48988-2 on CD).

1994 - John Berry's Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) single "Your Love Amazes Me", with "What's In It For Me" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

15 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Bob Flanigan, original lead singer for the Capitol Records group The Four Freshmen, passed away just before 10 PM at his home in Las Vegas at age 84 of congestive heart failure. He was with several generations of his family and died peacefully with jazz music playing softly. Earlier in the afternoon, Rod Henley and a group of Vegas musicians came by his home and played for him, so music was a big part of Bob's last day on earth.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

170 Years Ago Today In 1856 - L. Frank Baum, creator and initial writer of "The Wizard of Oz" series of books and early motion pictures, was born Lyman Frank Baum in Chittenango, New York. Capitol Records will release the children's record "Dorothy And The Wizard Of Oz" based on Baum's stories.

1914 - Norrie Paramor, pianist, bandleader, arranger, conductor, and an EMI Records UK artist who also worked on sessions with other EMI artists and Capitol Records artists who recorded using EMI's facilities in London is born in London, England.

1943 - Clarinetist and bandleader George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers (Jim Robinson on trombone, Sidney "Little Jim" Brown on tuba, Lawrence Marrero on banjo, and Edgar Mosley on drums) record the titles "Climax Rag", "New Orleans Hula", "Don't Go 'Way Nobody", and "Two Jim Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana for Climax Records which will sell the masters to Blue Note Records which will issue "Don't Go 'Way Nobody" on the album "George Lewis And His New Orleans Stompers ‎– Volume 2" (BLP1206) and "Two Jim Blues" on the album "Echoes Of New Orleans, Volume 2" (BLP7013). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles in the box set "The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of George Lewis" (MR5-132 on five 12" LPs and MD3-132 on three CDs).

1953 - Mike Oldfield, composer, film scorer, and Virgin Records' first released artist ("Tubular Bells"), is born in Reading, Berkshire, England.

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Ernie K-Doe's Minit Records single "Mother-In-Law" is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Gene McDaniels' Liberty Records single "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" is #3, Rick Nelson's "Travelin' Man" is #8, Steve Lawrence's United Artists Records single "Portrait Of My Love" is #12, and Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Hello Mary Lou" is #27.

55 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Two films by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, "Apotheosis" and "Fly", are shown at Cannes Film Festival in France.

1980 - "The Great Rock and Roll Swindle" a documentary about EMI and Virgin Records band The Sex Pistols, is released.

1983 - David Bowie's EMI America Records single "Let's Dance", with "Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)" on the flipside, hits #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart
1986 - EMI opens its first CD manufacturing plant, located in Swindon, England.

2003 - June Carter Cash, singer, songwriter, wife of singer Johnny Cash and mother of Capitol Records artist Roseanne Cash, dies at Nashville Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee from complications from heart valve surgery at age 73. She is later buried in a light blue coffin at Hendersonville Memory Gardens in Hendersonville, Tennessee.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1945 - Billboard publishes its first album chart. At the time, an album consisited of more than one 78rpm shellac disc held in paper sleeves in a binder.

1963 - Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper orbits the Earth 22 times aboard Mercury 9 spacecraft "Faith 7".

MAY 14, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1885 - Otto Klemperer, the conductor of various opera companies and theatres in Germany and The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, composer, father of actor Werner Klemperer (best known as Colonel Klink on "Hogan's Heroes"), and Capitol Records artist, is born in Breslau, Germany.

1898 - "Zutty" Singleton, drummer, bandleader and Capitol Records artist, is born Arthur James Singleton in Bunkie, Louisiana.

1903 - Jenks "Tex" Carman, a Capitol Records country artist, is born in Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky. There's a short posting with biographical information on Jerry Douglas' Bulletin Board.

1925 - Al Porcino, a trumpet player with Capitol Records group Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (1947-'48 and 1954-'55), played in the touring bands of Capitol Records artists Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Peggy Lee, and a bandleader in Germany, is born in New York City, New York.

1932 - Bob Johnston, a record producer and a Capitol Records executive, is born in Hillsboro, Texas.

90 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Bobby Darin, singer, motion picture actor, television variety show host and Atco and Capitol Records artist, is born Walden Robert Cassotto in New York City, New York.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Steve Hogarth, keyboard player and vocalist with the Capitol Records band Marillon is born Ronald Steven Hoggarth in Kendal, England.

1962 - C.C. DeVille (aka (Cecil Cornelius DeVille), lead guitarist for the Capitol Records band Poison, is born Bruce Anthony Johannesson in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, New York.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1948 - The King Cole Trio starts a seventeen straight day engagement at the Rag Doll club in Chicago, Illinois. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Best-Selling Popular Retail Records and Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys charts, #2 on the magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Records chart, #3 on the magazine's Best Selling Retail Race Records chart, and #5 on the magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Race Records chart. The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "Put 'Em In A Box" is #2 on The Billboard magazine's Record Possibilities - The Disk Jockeys Pick chart, #3 on the magazine's Record Possibilities - The Retailers Pick chart, and #8 on the magazine's Records Possibilities - The Operators Pick chart.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - The Broadway musical "Flahooley", with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Sammy Fain, opens at the Broadhurst Theater in New York City, New York. Although the show would only run 33 days until June 16, 1951, with only 40 performances, Capitol Records will release the original Broadway cast album later the same year. It features future Capitol Records artist Yma Sumac and is also Barbara Cook's debut recording.

1952 - Vocalist and guitarist Tex Ritter, with Margie Ann "Fiddlin' Kate" Warren on fiddle, Billy Liebert on accordion, Merle Travis and Wesley Tuttle also on guitar, Wesley "Speedy" West on steel guitar, and Dale Warren on drums, records the studio version of "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)" which Ritter had recorded earlier for the soundtrack to the motion picture "High Noon" and the title "Love You Big As Texas" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM with producer Lee Gillette. After Gillette records drum overdubs on August 1 and 11, 1952, Capitol Records will issue "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)" as a single (Capitol 2120) with "Go On! Get Out!" (recorded February 25, 1952) on the flipside. The single will enter the U.S. Country singles charts on September 6, 1952. Hilltop Records, a subsidiary of Pickwick Records, will issue "Love You Big As Texas" on the album "Love You Big As Texas" (JM/JS 6075).

1955 - J.F. Lockwood, EMI, Ltd.'s Chairman of the Board announces that Glenn E. Wallich's, president of Capitol Records, Inc., has been elected to EMI's board.

1958 - Vocalist Ann Richards, with Brian Farnon conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" with a male vocal group (lineup also unlisted), "Moanin' Low", "I'd Do It All Over Again" also with a male vocal group, and "I've Got To Pass Your House to Get To My House" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" and "I'd Do It All Over Again" together as a single (Capitol F3995) and "Moanin' Low" and "I've Got To Pass Your House to Get To My House" on Richards' album "I'm Shooting High" (EAP-1-1087 on 7" EP and T/ST 1087 on 12" LP).

1958 - Alvino Rey conducts His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "I Love Paris", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "How High The Moon", and "Rock Gently (More Bat)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Rey and His Orchestra's album "Swingin' Fling!" (EAP-1-1085 on 7" EP and T/ST 1085 on 12" LP) and will also issue "Rock Gently" retitled "More Bat" as a single (Capitol 4239) with "The Bat Theme" (recorded June 8, 1959) on the flipside.

1958 - Vocalist Jean Shepard, with Thomas Grady Martin or Jackie Phelps on lead guitar, Ray Edenton on rhythm guitar, (listed as probably) Walter Haynes on steel guitar, Roy M "Junior" Huskey, Jr. on bass, and Murray M. "Buddy" Harman, Jr. on drums, records the titles "Memory", "I Love You Because", "You Win Again", and "You Can't Break The Chains Of Love" at Bradley Film And Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Shepard's album "Lonesome Love" (T 1126).

1958 - Leopold Stokowski conducts the Orchestra National de la Radiodiffusion Française (lineup unlisted) as they record portions of the 1st and 2nd sections of Debussy's "Iberia" in Paris, France. Capitol Records will issue the entire piece on Stokowski's album "DEBUSSY - Iberia/IBERT - Escales/RAVEL - Alborada del Gracioso" (P/SP-8463).

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" debuts at #30 on WABC's Silver Dollar Sound Survey in New York City, New York.

1963 - Jimmie Haskell conducts his own arrangements to His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Flipper", "Dime With A Halo", "The Great Escape March", and "Love Is A Ticklish Affair" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Haskell and His Orchestra's album "From Russia With Love" (T/ST 2075)
Orchestra arr. & cond. by Jimmie Haskell.

1963 - Mickey Katz, with unlisted others, records the titles "I'll Take You Home Epsteen", "Can't You Hear Me Callin' Caroline", "The Last Rose Of Summer", and "Duet From Hunter" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1963 - Trombonist Bob Flanigan and guitarist John Gray, with (listed as) either Al Viola or John Pisano also on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, and Bob Neal on drums, record the titles "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" and "If I Were A Bell" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Flanigan and Gray's album "Togetherness" (T/ST 1957).

1963 - Vocalist Bobby Edwards, with unlisted others, records the titles "Help Me Get Over You", "Late Hours, and "Don't Pretend" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "Help Me Get Over You" and "Don't Pretend" together as a single (Capitol 5006) and has yet to issue "Late Hours.

1968 - John Lennon and Paul McCartney appear on "The Tonight Show", with guest host Joe Garagiola, to announce that their new company, Apple, wants to help young artists.

1968 - Vocalist and guitarist Mary McCaslin, with unlisted others, records the titles "Goodnight Everybody", "Boy From The Country", and "Nine Times Blue" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California for Capitol Records. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on the CD "Mary McCaslin - Rain/The Lost Album" (BCD 16232).

1968 - Vocalists John Stewart and Buffy Ford, with unlisted others, record the titles "Dark Prairie", "Holly On My Mind", and "Looking Bach Johanah" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded on June 6, 1968 for "Dark Prairie" and "Holly On My Mind", Capitol Records will issue the final mixes on Stewart and Ford's album "Signals Through The Glass" (ST 2975) and has yet to issue "Looking Bach Johanah".

1968 - Vocalist Bobbie Gentry, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using an arrangement by Perry Botkin, Jr., records the title "Papa's Medicine Show" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded on May 29, 1968, Capitol Records will issue the final mix on Gentry's album "Local Gentry" (ST 2964).

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for The Chaparral Brothers' title "I'm Not Missing You". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 2540) with "Maybe I Could Find My Way Back Home Again" (recorded January 17, 1969) on the flipside and also on The Chaparral Brothers' album "Just For The Records" (ST-551).

1968 - Guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett, with unlisted others, records the titles "Lanky (Part 1)" and the instrumental "Golden Hair" at an unlisted studio. Harvest Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records will issue both titles in England on Barrett's album "Opel" (SHSP 4126 on 12" LP and 7-91206-2 on CD).

1973 - Ultra Violet (aka Isabelle Collin Dufresne), with Todd Rundgren on guitar, records the titles "Cool Mac Daddy", "Loving", and "A Clown And A Stranger" in Los Angeles, California with producer Jeffrey Cheen. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ultra Violet's self-titled album "Ultra Violet" (ST-11244).

1973 - Billy May and The Time-Life Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Bye Bye Blues", "Going Out Of My Head" featuring Bob Bain on guitar, "Peter Gunn", "The Look Of Love", and "Wives And Lovers" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. After overdubs are recorded at the same session for "Bye Bye Blues" and "Wives And Lovers", Time-Life Records will issue, as part of its "As You Remember Them" series, the final mixes of "Bye Bye Blues", "Peter Gunn", "The Look Of Love", and "Wives And Lovers" in the three-LP set "Volume 8 - Billy May" (STL 248) and "Goin' Out Of My Head" in the three-LP set "Volume 7 - Billy May" (STL 247).

1978 - Paul McCartney and Wings' Capitol Records single "With A Little Luck" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1979 - The Motels begin recording sessions for their debut Capitol album with a cover of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" which didn't make it onto the album.

1988 - Mother's Finest (lineup unlisted) records the title "For Your Love" in an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Looks Could Kill" (C1-48988 on 12" LP and 7-48988-2 on CD).

1998 - Frank Sinatra, singer, motion picture actor, Columbia and Capitol Records artist, father of Frank Jr., Nancy, and Tina Sinatra, and founder of Reprise Records for which he also recorded, is pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. in the emergency room of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California at age 82. His funeral is later held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palm Springs, California and he is buried next to his parents in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, near Rancho Mirage, California.


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1958 - Guitarist Kenny Burrell, with Louis Smith on trumpet, Duke Jordan on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Blakely on drums, records the titles "I Never Know" and "Scotch Blues" with the additions of Junior Cook and Tina Brooks on tenor saxophones, "The Man I Love", "Yes Baby" with addition again of Cook and Brooks on tenor saxophones, "Phinupi" with the addition of just Cook on tenor saxophone then, with Bobbie Timmons replacing Duke Jordan on piano, the titles "Chuckin'" with the addition again of Cook and Brooks on tenor saxophones, "Autumn In New York" without Smith on trumpet, and "Rock Salt" and "Caravan" with the addition again of Cook and Brooks on tenor saxophones at Manhattan Towers studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue "Scotch Blues", "Yes Baby", "Autumn In New York", and "Caravan" on Burrell's album "Blue Lights, Volume 1" (BLP1596 in mono and BST81596 in stereo), "The Man I Love", "Phinupi", "Chuckin", and "Rock Salt" on Burrell's album "Blue Lights, Volume 2" (BLP1597 in mono and BST81597 in stereo), and all the titles on the CD "Blue Lights, Volume 1 And 2" (7-81597-2 in mono and 8-57184-2 in stereo) with a cover illustration on all versions by Andy Warhol.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Bob Dylan and future Capitol Records group The Band record "Tell Me Momma" and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" in Liverpool, England.

1989 - Paula Abdul's Virgin Records America single "Forever Your Girl" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1993 - Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, with Charlie Haden on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums, at a live concert held at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, New York that is recorded by Blue Note Records, performs the titles "Imagine", "You Taught My Heart To Sing" with vocals by Dianne Reeves, "First Song", "Airegin", "Ruby My Dear", and "When Will The Blues Leave" then Rubalcaba, with Reynaldo Melian on trumpet, Felipe Cabrera on electric bass, and Julio Barreto on drums, performs the titles "Contagio", "Moose The Mooche", "Transparence", Perfidia", and "Rapsodia Cubana". All the recordings except those of "You Taught My Heart To Sing" and "First Song" were rejected, "You Taught My Heart To Sing" is still unissued, and Blue Note Records will issue "First Song" on Rubalcaba's album "Imagine - Gonzalo Rubalcaba In The USA" (8-30491-2 on CD).


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1897 - Sidney Bechet, saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer, is born Sidney Joseph Bechet in New Orleans, Louisiana and 62 years later to the day he would die in Paris, France.

1944 - George Lucas, a screenwriter, director, producer, and a studio founder and head, is born George Walton Lucas, Jr. in Modesto, California.

MAY 13, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1953 - Tom Cochrane, lead singer of the Canadian band Red Rider and solo artist on Capitol Records and EMI Records, is born in Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1944 - Jo Stafford (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Long Ago (And Far Away) is #6 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1950 - Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Dearie" is #15 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely's Capitol Records single "Let's Go To Church (Next Sunday Morning)" is #20.

1954 - Frank Sinatra records the tracks "It Worries Me" and "Half As Lovely (Twice As Nice)" (which will be released together as a single by Capitol Records), as well as "The Gal That Got Away" (which will be released by Capitol with "When I Stop Loving You" on the flipside which will be recorded on August 23, 1954), with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the studio orchestra (Mahlon Clark, Chuck Gentry, Arthur "Skeets" Herfert, Arthur Kafton, Theodore Nash, and Warren Webb on reeds; Conrad Gozzo and Rubin "Zeke" Zarchy on trumpet; Dick Noel and Tommy Pederson on trombone;, George Roberts on bass trombone; Bobby Gibbons on guitar; Joe Comfort on bass; Bill Miller on piano; Kathryn Julye on harp; Alvin Stoller on drums; Victor Bay, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, George Kast, Nick Pisani, Mischa Russell, Eudice Shapiro, Paul Shure, and Felix Slatkin on violn; Maxine Johnson and Paul Robyn on viola; and Cy Bernard and Eleanor Slatkin on cello) at radio station KHJ's studios (now the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study and the Academy Film Archive) at 1313 North Vine Street, Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles together as a single (Capitol 2864) and the last title as a single (Capitol 2922) with "When I Stop Loving You" (recorded August 23, 1954) on the flipside.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Time Magazine runs an article about Capitol Records artist Mrs. Elva Miller and her upcoming appearance on the Ed Sullivan show (May 22, 1966).

1967 - Capitol Records artist Merle Haggard debuts on the Grand Ole Opry.

1970 - The Beatles' film "Let It Be" is released.

1975 - Bob Willis (born James Robert Wills), fiddle and mandolin player, songwriter, bandleader (Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys), motion picture actor, 1968 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, 1970 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inductee, 2000 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, and Capitol Records artist, dies of pneumonia at age 70 in his Fort Worth, Texas home.

1988 - Chet Baker (born Chesney Henry Baker Jr.), singer, trumpet player, Capitol Records, Pacific Jazz and Blue Note Records artist, and whose face is part of the mural on the side of The Capitol Tower, dies at age 59 after falling (or being pushed) from his second story hotel window in Amsterdam, Holland. His body is later brought home for internment in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

1989 - Donny Osmond scores his first US Top 5 hit since 1972 when his Capitol Records single "Soldier of Love" moves to #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

30 Years Ago Today In 1996 - Liz Phair shoots a video for her Capitol Records single "Rocket Boy" on a soundstage in Hollywood, California.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1907 - Madame (later Dame) Nellie Melba lays the foundation stone for the Power House at the Hayes factory site of The Gramaphone and Typewriter Ltd., a company that would later become EMI.

1913 - Pianist, arranger and composer Gil Evans, is born Ian Ernest Gilmore Green (or Gilmore Ian Rodrigo Green) in Toronto, Canada. He would later take his stepfather's last name. Along with his own recordings and arranging for other bands (including Capitol and Pacific Jazz Records artists Billy Butterfield, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, Gerry Mulligan and others), Evans would provide the arrangements to the Miles Davis Nonet for the tracks "Moondreams" and "Boplicity" that were part of the "Birth Of The Cool" sessions for Capitol Records.

1924 - Future Capitol Records Marlene Dietrich marries Rudolf Sieber, and they will remain married for over 50 years.

1945 - Magic Dick, musician with the EMI America Records group The J. Geils Band is born Dick Salwitz in New London, Connecticut.

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Danny Klein, bassist with the EMI America Records group The J. Geils Band, is born in New York City, New York.

1947 - Liza Luise Rey, harpist, songwriter, and daughter of Capitol Records artist Alvino Rey and future Capitol Records artist Louise King (of The King Sisters), is born in Burbank, California, would later marry geologist Ned Butler, and now lives in South Harbor, Maine.

1954 - "The Pajama Game" makes its debut on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in New York City, New York. It is producer Harold Prince's first Broadway endeavor. Capitol Records artist John Raitt and Janis Paige star in the leading roles. The show will run for 1,063 performances. Raitt will also star in the movie version long with Doris Day.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

85 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Ritchie Valens, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and motion picture performer, is born Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, California.

1943 - Motown singer Mary Wells is born Mary Esther Wells in Detroit, Michigan.

MAY 12, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1910 - Gordon Jenkins, a pianist, bandleader, arranger, and Capitol Records artist (as Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra) who conducted the orchestral background at Capitol Records first session, is born in Webster Groves, Missouri.

1920 - "Tiny" Moore (a nickname due to his large frame), electric mandolin, fiddle, and banjo player and drummer, with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys and in Capitol Records artists Merle Haggard's band, The Strangers, is born Billie Moore in Port Arthur, Hamilton County, Texas. In the '50s, while touring with Haggard, he invents a five-string electric mandolin.

105 Years Ago Today In 1921 - Joe Maphis, singer, guitarist, fiddle player, with the Capitol Records duo Joe Maphis & Rose Lee with his wife, session musician on sessions for Capitol Records artists Merle Travis, Wesley Tuttle, Tex Ritter, Skeets McDonald, Freddie Hart, Wynn Stewart, Wanda Jackson, Sonny James, Joe Carson, Hank Thompson, The Four Preps, Robert Mitchum, Tommy Collins, Dean Reed, Rose Maddox, Charles Lee Guy III and Imperial Records artist Rick Nelson, is born Otis W. Maphis in Suffolk, Virginia.

1950 - Billy Squier, singer, guitarist, Capitol Records artist (1980-1993), and recently part of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, is born in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. If anyone knows his full name, please leave a comment.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1942 - At Capitol Records' second recording session, vocalist Johnnie Johnston, with Gordon Jenkins And His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Can't You Hear Me Callin', Caroline", "Conchita Marquita (Lolita Pepita Rosita Juanita Lopez)", "Easy To Love", and "Windmill Under The Stars" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Can't You Hear Me Callin', Caroline" as a single (Capitol 130) with "That Old Black Magic" (recorded July 9, 1942) on the flipside, "Conchita Marquita (Lolita Pepita Rosita Juanita Lopez)" and "Windmill Under The Stars" together as a single (Capitol 109) which will be part of the label's initial release to retail, and "Easy To Love" as a single (Capitol 120) with "Dearly Beloved" (also recorded on July 9, 1942) on the flipside.

1943 - Robert Heger conducts The Berlin State House Orchestra (lineup unlisted) and soprano vocalist Liselotte Enck as they record Richard Strauss' "Salome (Final Scene)" in four parts for Telefunken Records in Berlin, Germany. After Capitol Records licenses Telefunken's catalog for release in the United States, it will issue all four parts on the 10" vinyl album "Richard STRAUSS - Salome (Final Scene)/Dance Of The Seven Veils" (L-8036).

1945 - Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford & The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston & His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Candy" is #3 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1949 - On NBC's radio show, The Martin and Lewis Show, Dean and Jerry are at Capitol Records to record a new tune and get tips on how to sing folk songs from guest Burl Ives.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Les Paul and Mary Ford's Capitol Records single "How High The Moon" is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart, Nat "King" Cole (with orchestra conducted by Les Baxter using a ghostwritten arrangement by Nelson Riddle)'s Capitol Records single "Too Young" is #3, Les Paul and Mary Ford's Capitol Records single "Mockin'bird Hill" is #5,

1953 - Vocalist and guitarist Jenks "Tex Carman, with unlisted others, records the titles "My Lonely Heart And I", "You Tell Her, 'Cause I Stutter", "The Caissons Go Rolling Along", and "Locust Hill Rag" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "My Lonely Heart And I", and "Locust Hill" together as a single (Capitol 2534 on 10" shellac and F2534 on 7" vinyl), "The Caissons Go Rolling Along" as a single (Capitol 2621 on 10" shellac and F2621 on 7" vinyl" with "Blue Memories" (recorded September 11, 1952) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on the CD "Jenks "Tex" Carman - Hillbilly Hula" (BCD 15574).

1953 - Vocalist Ferlin Husky, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "Minnie-Ha Cha", "I Lost My Heart Today", "You'll Die A Thousand Deaths", and "Hom Much Are You Mine" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Minnie-Ha Cha" and "I Lost My Heart Today" together as a single (Capitol 2495 on 10" shellac and F2495 on 7" vinly) and "You'll Die A Thousand Deaths" and "Hom Much Are You Mine" together as a single (Capitol 2558 on 10" shellac and F2558 on 7" vinyl).

1954 - 20th Century Fox releases the movie "Three Coins In A Fountain" with Frank Sinatra singing the title song over the opening credits.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "The Poor People Of Paris" is #3 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Lisbon Antigua" is #6, and Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Too Young To Go Steady" is tied for #38 with Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers "I Want You To Be My Girl".

1958 - Twelve-year-old Laurie London's Capitol Records single "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Dean Martin (with Gus Levine and His Orchestra and Chorus)'s Capitol Records single "Return To Me" is #6, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is #10, The Four Preps' Capitol Records single "Big Man" is tied at #23 with Paul Anka's "Crazy Love" and their single "Twenty Six Miles" is tied at #32 with Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "Sick And Tired". Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is #16 on WMGM's Top 40 Survey in New York City, New York.

1958 - Pianist Lou Busch, with unlisted others, records the titles "Shangri-La", "Nola", "Ladies, Please Remove Your Hats", "March To The Blues", and "Lazy Train" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Shangri-La" and "Nola" on Busch's album "Lou Busch, His Piano And His Orchestra - Lazy Rhapsody" (T/ST 1072), "Ladies Please Remove Your Hats" as a single (Capitol F4019) with "Young Enough To Dream" (recorded June 2, 1958) on the flipside, and "March To The Blues" and "Lazy Train" together as a single (F3996) as by Joe "Fingers" Carr.

1960 – Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley sing each other's hits on Sinatra's ABC-TV "Timex Spectacular" television special "Welcome Home Elvis", Elvis' first television appearance after being discharged from the U.S. Army. Elvis sings "Witchcraft" and Frank sings "Love Me Tender".

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Hazy-Lazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" debuts at #35 or KRLA's Fabulous Fifty chart in Los Angeles, California.

1964 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "My Heart Skips A Beat", with "Together Again" on the flipside, tops the U.S. Country singles charts
50 Years Ago Today In 1968 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single ""I Wanna Live", with "That's All That Matters" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1968 - John Lennon and Paul McCartney hold the first board meeting of Apple Corps in a Chinese junk sailing around New York's Statue of Liberty.

1978 - During the second of three days of live shows given at The Palladium Theatre in London, England and recorded by Capitol Records, vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, performs the titles "Poor Little Fool", "Ready Or Not", "Westwind Circus", "We'll Sing In The Sunshine", and "You're My World". Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Reddy's two-LP set "Live In London" (SKBO-11873) and "Westwind Circus" also as a single (Capitol 4654) with "Mama" (recorded May 13, 1978) on the flipside.

1979 - The Motels sign a contract with Capitol Records.

1988 - Vocalist Freddie Jackson, with unlisted others, records the title "You And I Got A Thing" in an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 44283) with "It's Gonna Take A Long, Long Time" (recorded sometime in April 1988) on the flipside and also on Jackson's CD "Don't Let Love Slip Away" (C2-48987).

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1948 - Steve Winwood, a singer, songwriter, musician, member of the United Artists band Spenser Davis Group, as well as the bands Traffic, Blind Faith and Ginger Bakers' Army, and a Virgin Records America solo artist, is born Stephen Lawrence Winwood in Great Barr, Birmingham, England. I worked on the design and print production of the packaging, promotional items, and advertising for his album and single "Roll With It".

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "I'm In Love Again" is #26 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1958 - David Seville's Liberty Records single "Witch Doctor" is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Believe What You Say" is #21 and his single "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" is tied for #27 with Pat Boone (with Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra)'s single "Sugar Moon", and Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "Sick And Tired" is tied at #32 with The Four Prep's Capitol Records single "Twenty Six Miles".

1962 - Jay and The Americans' United Artists single "She Cried" is #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Walter Brennan's Liberty Records single "Old Rivers" is #7, Joey Dee and the Starlighters' Roulette Records single "Shout (Part 1)" is #10, Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Young World" is #22, and Dick and DeeDee's Liberty Records single "Tell Me" is #29.

1962 - Emilio Estevez, actor and one-time husband of Virgin Records America artist Paula Abdul is born.

1963 - The Beatles lip sync "From Me To You" and "I Saw Her Standing There" at a taping for the TV show "Thank Your Lucky Stars." that will air May 18, 1963.

1965 – Future Virgin Records artists The Rolling Stones begin the initial recordings of "Satisfaction" at Chess Studios in Chicago.

55 Years Ago Today In 1971 – Future Virgin Records artist and member of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, marries Bianca Perez Morena de Macias in St. Tropez, France, with the rest of The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and others as guests in attendance.

40 Years Ago Today In 1986 - Glass Tiger's Capitol Records single "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" with Bryan Adams lending vocals for the duet and with "Ancient Evenings" and "Large Hole" on the flipside, hits #1 on the Canadian charts. The single was released by Capitol Records in Canada and Manhattan Records in the United States, where it would peak at #2 on the U.S. Billboard chart, and go on to win the 1986 Juno Award in Canada for "Single Of The Year".

1993 - Pianist Bob Belden, with Cassandra Wilson on lead and backing vocals, Loris Diran on background vocals, Greg Osby on soprano saxophone, Adam Holzman on synthesizer, Richard Patterson on electric bass, and Ricky Wellman on drums, using Belden's own arrangement, records the title "When Doves Fly" at DK Studios in New York City, New York for the Somethin' Else label. Also recorded that day by Wallace Roney and Kenny Garrett is title "Electric Chair. Metro Blue Records (formed by Capitol Records as a sister label to Blue Note Records) will issue "When Doves Cry" on Belden's CD "When Doves Cry: The Music Of Prince" (8-29515-2). Blue Note Records will issue both titles on the album "Blue Note Plays Prince" (8-63826-2).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1907 - Katharine Hepburn, Broadway and motion picture actress, is born Katharine Houghton Hepburn in Hartford, Connecticut.

1928 - Songwriter Burt Bacharach is born Burt Freeman Bacharach Kansas City, Missouri.

1942 - Singer and leader of Kilburn and the High Roads and The Blockheads, Ian Dury, is born in Upminster Essex, England.

1942 - Singer and musician Billy Swan is born in Cape Giradeau, Missouri and currently resides in Sherman Oaks, CA,

55 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Tor Johnson, a professional wrestler as well as an actor in many of Ed Wood's films dies at age 67 in San Fernando, California of a heart attack and is buried in Eternal Valley Memorial Park, Newhall, California, USA, in the Whispering Pines section, #177 E.

MAY 11, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1904 - Salvador Dali, a Surrealist artist, is born Salvador Felip Jacint Dalí Domènech in the town of Figueres, in Catalonia, Spain. Dali will paint the cover art for Jackie Gleason's Capitol Records album "Jackie Gleason Presents Lonesome Echo" and a photo of him shaking hands with Gleason is on the back cover.

115 Years Ago Today In 1911 - Phil Silvers, actor, comedian and Capitol Records artist as a guest vocalist on Johnny Mercer's first big hit for the label, "Strip Polka", is born Philip Silversmith in Brooklyn, New York. Mercer will later write the Broadway musical "Top Banana" for Silvers and Capitol Records will release its original Broadway cast album.

1930 - Marilyn King, a singer, sister-in-law of Capitol Records artist Alvino Rey and Capitol Records executive Jim Conkling as well as actor Robert Clarke and keyboardist Buddy Cole, and youngest member of the Capitol Records group The King Sisters is born Marilyn Adine Driggs in Los Angeles, California.

95 Years Ago Today In 1931 - Dick Garcia, guitarist with the Capitol Records group The George Shearing Quintet, is born in New York City, New York.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1943 - Capitol Records group The King Cole Trio returns to Herb Rose's 331 Club for what will be a "duration" engagement following their stay at the Beachcomber in Omaha, Nebraska.

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Andy Russell (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)" is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Alvino Ray (with vocals by Rocky Coluccio)'s Capitol Records single "Cement Mixer (Put-Ti Put-Ti)" with "We'll Gather Lilacs" on the flip side, debuts at #6.

1950 - Mel Blanc records the tracks "I'm Glad That I'm Bugs Bunny" and "Daffy Duck's Rhapsody" for the Capitol Records children's EP "Bugs Bunny Sings". The sessions were produced by Alan Livingston who also wrote the songs with Warren Foster, Mike Maltese, and Billy May. May also arranged and conducted the session with additional uncredited vocals provided by June Foray and Tom Reddy.

1953 - Vocalist and guitarist Billy Strange, with unlisted others, records the titles "A Lonesome Lover's Lie", "Red", and "Half A Photograph" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "A Lonesome Lover's Lie" as a single (Capitol 2702 on 10" shellac and F2702 on 7" vinyl) with "Catsup And Honey" (recorded August 20, 1953) on the flipside and "Red" and "Half A Photograph" together as a single (Capitol 2500 on 10" shellac and F2500 on 7" vinyl.

1953 - During two sessions held this day in New York City, New York, cornet player Bobby Hackett, with Lou Stein on piano, Billy Bauer on guitar, Arnold Fishkind on bass, Denzil Best on drums, and a string quintet of four unlisted viola and one cello players using arrangements (listed as probably) by Sid Feller, records the titles "That Old Black Magic", "The Song Is You", "You Turned The Tables On Me" and "Someday You'll Be Sorry" during the first session and the titles "Easy To Love", Soft Lights And Sweet Music", "I Cried For You (Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me)" and "Bobby's Blues" during the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Hackett's album "Soft Lights And Bobby Hackett" (EAP-1/2/-458 on 7" EPs, EBF-458 on two 7" EP set, H/L 458, on 10" vinyl, and T 458 on 12" vinyl).

1958 - The male vocal quartet The Stylemasters (lineup unlisted), with unlisted others, record the titles "You're A Sweetheart" and "Carolina In The Morning" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F4076).

1958 - After a rehearsal session, Felix Slatkin conducts The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Tchaikovsky's "Waltz Opus 48 (From 'Serenade For String Orchestra')", "Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)", Tchaikovsky's "Opus 11 - Andante Cantabile (From 'String Quartet In D Major')", and Bach's "Air (from 'Suite N° 3 In D Major')" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the orchestra's album "Strings By Starlight" (P/SP-8444).

1958 - Fred Waring conducts The Pennsylvanians (lineup unlisted) as they record a new take of the title "April In Paris" using an arrangement by Harry Simeone and, with vocals by Patti Beems, the titles "Come To Me, Bend To Me" using an arrangement by Harry Simone and "Yours Is My Heart Alone" using an arrangement by Roy Ringwald in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Waring and The Pennsylvanians' two-LP set "Broadway Cavalcade" (WBO/SWBO 1079).

1959 - Capitol Records artist Judy Garland opens on Broadway at the Metropolitan Opera House for a series of 7 concerts, which will end on May 17, 1959.

1959 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Second Fiddle", with "My Everlasting Love" on the flipside, becomes his first single to enter the U.S. Country singles chart.

1960 - During a split session held this day at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, England, first vocalist Gene Vincent, with The Beat Boys (Billy McVay on tenor saxophone, Georgie Fame on piano, Colin Green on guitar, Vince Cooze on bass, and Red Reece on drums who were touring with Vincent), records the title "Pistol Packin' Mama" using an arrangement that Vincent had worked on with Eddie Cochran, with whom he had planned to record the song before Cochran's death in a car crash in England then Vincent, with The Norie Paramor Orchestra and Chorus (lineups unlisted) records the ballad, "Weeping Willow" and a speech. Capitol Records will issue "Pistol Packin' Mama" as a single (Capitol 4442) with "Anna Annabelle" (recorded October 17, 1958) on the flipside in the United States and also as a single in England (45CL15136) with "Weeping Willow" on the flipside. "Pistol Packin' Mama" would be Vincent's biggest U.K. hit, peaking at # 15. The speech has yet to be issued.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #24 on WLCY 1380's Top 50 Survey in Tampa, Florida, debuts at #63 on Cash Box magazine's Top 100 Singles chart and #70 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 Singles chart. Cole's single "Han Skal I Glas Og Ramme (Skip To My Lou)" debuts at #7 in Denmark according to Quan Musikbureau, Copenhagen. Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Ramblin' Rose" is #69 and his album "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #75 on Billboard magazine's Top LPs - 150 Best Sellers - Monaural chart.

1964 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' single "I Get Around", with "Don't Worry Baby" on the flipside.

1964 - The Beatles mono EP "Four By The Beatles" is released in the U.S. with the tracks "Roll Over Beethoven" and "This Boy" on the A-side and "All My Loving" and "Please Mr. Postman" on the B-side

1965 - Masters for The Beatles tracks "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" and "Bad Boy" are sent by The Beatles, via air mail, to Capitol Records and the shooting of "Help!" resumes in Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire.

1968 - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, and Neil Aspinal arrive in New York City to promote Apple Corps.

1968 - Mad River (David Robinson and Rick Bockner on guitars, Lawrence Hammond on bass, keyboards, and vocals, Greg Dewey on drums, harmonica, and vocals, and Tom Manning on vocals), with producer Nick Venet, records the title "Wind Chimes" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985).

1968 - Vocalists Tony Sandler and Ralph Young, with unlisted others, at two live shows (the next will be on May 13, 1968) recorded by Capitol Records perform the titles "Opening Number", "What What Happens", "Mr. Boom Boom (Mr. Bass Man)", "Love Is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)", "French Lesson", "Malaguena Salerosa", "Sweet Georgia Brown", and "Bill Bailey Medley: In France/In England/In Nashville/In Italy/In The Time Of Johann Sebastian Bach/In Tel Aviv/In The U.S.A.". No session breakdown for each show is listed. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Sandler and Young's album "The 'In Person' Album" (ST 2961).

1970 - The Beatles' Apple Records single "Long And Winding Road", with "For You Blue" on the flipside, is released by Capitol Records in the United States.

1970 – The Chairmen of the Board's "Gimme Just a Little More Time" on Invictus Records, distributed by Capitol Records, is certified Gold by the RIAA.

1973 - Vocalist Ultra Violet (aka Isabelle Collin Dufresne), with Todd Rundgren on guitar, records the titles "Shanghai Bill" and "42nd Street" in Los Angeles, California with producer Jeffrey Cheen. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Ultra Violet's album "Ultra Violet" (ST-11244) and an edited version of "Shanghai Bill" as a single (Capitol 3743) with "La Vie En Rose" (recorded July 27, 1973) on the flipside.

1973 - Ben Peters, with unlisted others, records the titles "My Love Is Deep, My Love Is Wide", "This Time Has Got To Last", "Would You Still Love Me", and "Just What I Had In Mind" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "This Time Has Got To Last" and "Would You Still Love Me" together as a single (Capitol 3687) and has yet to issue the other two titles.

1978 - Vocalist Helen Reddy begins three straight days of live shows at the Palladium, in London, England that are recorded by Capitol Records. At today's show, Reddy, with unlisted others, performs the titles "Rhythm Rhapsody", "This Masquerade", "Bluebird", "Hold Me In Your Dreams Tonight", and "Angie Baby". Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Reddy's album "Live In London" (SKBO-11873).

1983 - Capitol Records registers the masters it acquired for Helix's titles "Does A Fool Ever Learn", "Let's All Do It Tonight", "Heavy Metal Love", "Check Out The Love", "No Rest For The Wicked", "Don't Get Mad, Get Even", "Ain't No High Like Rock 'N' Roll", "Dirty Dog", "Never Want To Lose You", and "Black Leather" and will issue all the titles on the group's album "No Rest For The Wicked" (ST-12281) and also "Heavy Metal Love" and "No Rest For The Wicked" together as a single (Capitol 5294).

1988 - Capitol Records executive Lynn Shults goes to the Bluebird Cafe to hear Garth Brooks perform in front of a live audience. After the show, Shultz does a handshake deal, signing Brooks to Capitol Records 

25 Years Ago Today In 2001 - Paul McCartney's TV special "Wingspan" has it's world debut on ABC-TV in the United States.


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1943 - Les Chadwick, bassist for the group Gerry and the Pacemakers, is born John Leslie Chadwick in Liverpool, England.

1965 - The musical "Flora, the Red Menace", featuring a score by composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, opens on Broadway at The Alvin Theatre with future Capitol Records artist 19 year-old Lisa Minnelli in her first starring role, a role that will also make her the youngest woman ever to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - "All Those Years Ago", George Harrison's tribute single to John Lennon, with help from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, is released in the U.S. by Dark Horse Records with "Writings On The Wall" on the flipside.

1983 - EMI America registers the masters it purchased for The Coconuts' titles "Don't Take My Coconuts", "Naughty Boy", "Maladie D'Amour", "Ticket To The Tropics", "Indiscreet", "Kriminal-Tango", "Did You Have To Love Me Like You Did?", "If I Only Had A Brain", "The Glory That Was Eden", and "Hats Off To Citizen K" and will issue all the titles, except "Hats Off To Citizen K" on the group's album "Don't Take My Coconuts" (ST-17097), "Indiscreet" and an edited version of "If I Only Had A Brain" together as a single (EMI America 8173), "Did You Have To Love Me Like You Did?" and "Hats Off To Citizen K" together as a single (EM America 7808), "Hats Off To Citizen K" also as a single (EMI America 8164) with an edited version of "Did You Have To Love Me Like You Did?", and extended versions of "Indiscreet" and "If I Only Had A Brain" together as a single (EMI America 7810).

1983 - Vocalist Sheena Easton, with unlisted others, records the title "I Like The Fright" in an unlisted studio. EMI America will issue the title on Easton's album "Best Kept Secret" (ST-17101).

35 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Roxette's EMI America single "Joyride", with "Come Back" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1888 - Irving Berlin, a songwriter, producer, and motion picture actor, is born in Israel Isidore Beilin somewhere in Russia/Beylorussia or possibly Temun, Russia. If anyone knows for sure where Irving was born, please leave a comment.

1918 - Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, teacher, lecturer, percussionist, and occasional stage actor (in the Theatre Arts At The California Institute of Technology's aka TACIT's musicals including "South Pacific" and "Kismet"), is born Richard Phillips Feynman in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. I met him when I was doing the poster and program design (as well as working a spotlight) for TACIT and he would be drawing in a sketchbook during rehearsals and going to the cast parties including one at Al Hibb's home in Pasadena where I was in charge of the music. He really liked the soundtrack to Jonathan Demme's "Something's Wild" as well as any big band music.

1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded.

85 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Eric Burdon, lead singer of the group The Animals, is born Eric Victor Burdon in Walker-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England.

1970 – The triple album soundtrack to "Woodstock" is released and will be certified Gold in just two weeks by the R.I.A.A.

1979 - Country legend Lester Flatt, best remembered for his recordings with partner Earl Scruggs of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "The Theme To The Beverly Hillbillies", dies in Nashville, Tennessee at age 64.

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Bob Marley (born Robert Nesta Marley), singer, songwriter, and father of EMI America and Virgin Records artists Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, dies at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida of cancer at age 36.

MAY 10, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1907 - "Pee Wee" Hunt, trombone player, bandleader and Capitol Records artist (whose single "Twelfth Street Rag" was Capitol's biggest seller in the label's first decade and almost didn't happen. Its master had been accidentally tossed and it had to be remastered from a 16" transcription disc that had been created for radio use to make the commercial discs after the Dixieland single became a surprise radio hit), is born Walter Hunt in Mount Healthy, Ohio.

1929 - Mel Lewis, drummer, with the Capitol Records bands of Alvino Rey, Ray Anthony and Stan Kenton, and bandleader, arranger, composer and music director of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra which performed every Monday night at the Village Vanguard club, is born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York.

1947 - Jay Ferguson, Capitol Records solo artist (albums "Terms and Conditions" and "White Noise"), and former lead vocalist of the bands Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, is born John Ferguson in the San Fernando Valley in southern California.

1967 - Young MC, a singer, songwriter and Delicious Vinyl and Capitol Records artist (albums "Brainstorm" and "What's The Flavor"), is born Marvin Young in London, England.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Mam'selle", with "It's The Same Old Dream" on the flipside, is #9 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1952 - Hank Thompson's Capitol Records single "Wild Side of Life", with "Crying In The Deep Blue Sea" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1953 - During a split session held this day in New York City, New York with Sid Feller directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), first vocalist Jane Froman records the title "If I Love You A Mountain" then vocalist Bob Manning records the titles "All The Time", "It's All Right With Me", "All I Desire", and It's Easy To Remember". Capitol Records will issue "If I Love You A Mountain" as a single (Capitol 2496 on 10" shellac and F2496 on 7" vinyl) with "My Shining Hour" (recorded December 23, 1952) on the flipside, "It's All Right With Me" and "All I Desire" together as a single (Capitol 2493 on 10" shellac and F2493 on 7" vinyl), and has yet to issue "All The Time" and "It's Easy To Remember".

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Pianist Rudolph Firkusny records Claude Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque: Prelude/Menuet/Claire De Lune/Pässepied" at Capitol Records' Studio A in New York City, New York. Capitol will issue the title on Firkusny's album "DEBUSSY - Estampes/Suite Bergamasque/Children's Corner" (P-8350).

1958 - It's Saturday and Nat "King" Cole performs on the CBS Radio show "Entertainment, USA" at 9:30 PM EST and Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" and its flipside, "Do I Like It?" are #7 on The Billboard magazine's Best Selling Pop Singles In Stores chart. "Looking Back" is also #2 on The Billboard magazine's Most Played R&B By Jockeys chart, #4 on the magazine's R&B Best Sellers In Stores chart, #8 on the magazine's Top 100 Sides chart, and #9 on the magazine's Most Played By Jockeys chart. Also, "Do I Like It?" is #24 and "Looking Back" is #29 on KFWB's Fabulous Forty Survey in Los Angeles, California.

1958 - After a rehearsal session, Felix Slatkin conducts The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they records Barber's "Adagio For String Orchestra (String Quartet In B Minor)" and Borodin's "Nocturne (String Quartet N° 2 In D Major)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the orchestra's album "Strings By Starlight" (P/SP-8444).

1958 - During two sessions held this day in New York City, New York, Fred Waring conducts The Pennsylvanians (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Old Devil Moon" using an arrangement by Roy Ringwald with vocals by Joanne Wheatley on vocals, "Dancing In The Dark" with vocals by Chuck Nelson, and "Wagon Wheels" using an arrangement by Hawley Ades with vocals by Leonard Kranendonk at the first session and the titles "So In Love" using an arrangement by Charlie Naylor and Roy Ringwald with vocals by Gordon Goodman, "Buckle Down, Winsocki" using an arrangement y Roy Ringwald and Hawley Ades, and "April In Paris" using an arrangement by Harry Simeone at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except the take of "April In Paris" that was recorded at the second session, on Waring and The Pennsylvanians' two-LP set "Broadway Cavalcade" (WBO/SWBO 1079). A new take of "April In Paris" will be recorded on May 11, 1958, and that take will also be issued in "Broadway Cavalcade".

1963 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "My Heart Skips A Beat", with "Together Again" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1965 - After spending the day shooting the Buckingham Palace scenes indoors at Cliveden House in Berkshire and in Bluebell Wood at Cliveden for their movie "Help!", The Beatles return to Studio 2 at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, England to record the tracks "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" and "Bad Boy" in sessions that go late into the night.

1968 - Overdubs are recorded for Glen Campbell's titles "Words", "Dreams Of A Everyday Housewife", "If You Go Away", and "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Campbell's album "Wichita Lineman" (SU/ST/SM-103) and will also issue the final mix of "Dreams Of A Everyday Housewife" as a single (Capitol 2224) with the instrumental "Kelly Hoedown" (recorded April 19, 1967) on the flipside.

1968 - Mad River (David Robinson and Rick Bockner on guitars, Lawrence Hammond on bass, keyboards, and vocals, Greg Dewey on drums, harmonica, and vocals, and Tom Manning on vocals), with producer Nick Venet, records the title "Hush, Julian" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985).

1968 - Vocalist Bobbie Gentry, 50 Years Ago Today In  an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using arrangements by Perry Botkin, Jr., records the titles "Here, There And Everywhere" and "Peaceful" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded for "Here, There And Everywhere" on May 29, 1968, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles on Gentry's album "Local Gentry" (ST 2964).

1968 - Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, with Benny Carter conducting his own arrangement to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the title "It's Up To Me And You" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 2212) with "Brighten Up The Corner Where You Are" (recorded November 28, 1966) on the flipside.

1968 - Vocalist Matt Monro, singing in Spanish with George Martin directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted but includes piano, guitar, bass, drums, and string section players), records the titles "De Repente Un Dia (One Day Soon)" and "Alguien Canto (The Music Played)" in London, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2318).

1970 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "My Love", with "Blue For You" on the flip side, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart

1973 - Guitarist Howard Roberts, with unlisted others, records the titles "Moondance", "This Masquerade", "A Song For You", and "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Moondance" and "This Masquerade" on Roberts' album "Sounds" (ST-11247) and has yet to issue the other titles.

1973 - Vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, records the titles "Get A Hold Of Yourself", "Long Hard Climb", and "Delta Dawn" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Long Hard Climb" and "Delta Dawn" on Reddy's album "Long Hard Climb" (SMAS-11213) and "Delta Dawn" also as a single (Capitol 3645) with "If We Could Still Be Friends" (recorded May 8, 1973) on the flipside. No issuing information is listed for "Get A Hold Of Yourself".

1973 - Capitol Records registers the masters for La Wanda Lindsey's titles "Paint Me A Picture" and "Today Will Be The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life" it purchased from Buck Owens Enterprises which were recorded at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3652) and also on Lindsey's album "This Is La Wanda Lindsey" (ST-11306).

1973 - Shelter Records, at the time distributed by Capitol Records, registers the masters for Black Grass' titles "Sweeping Through The City", "Come Across Your Bridge", "Early Morning Rain", "I'm So Grateful To You", "Great Day", "Lock, Stock And Barrel", "Going Down To The River", "Give, Give, Give", "Burnin' Love", and "Morning Train" and will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "Black Grass" (SW-8916) and will also issue "Sweeping Through The City" and "Going Down To The River" together as a single (Shelter 7335) and "Come Across Your Bridge" and "Lock, Stock And Barrel" together as a single (Shelter 7331).

1982 - Duran Duran's debut album "Rio" is released worldwide. In the U.S., the album is released on Harvest Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records.

1983 - The Motels (featuring Martha Davis with unlisted others) record the title "Little Robbers" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Little Robbers" (ST-12288 on 12" vinyl and 7-46020-2 on CD).

1989 - Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band's Capitol Records album "Beautiful Loser" is certified Platinum

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1899 - Fred Astaire, a Broadway, motion picture and television actor, dancer, singer, and EMI recording artist, is born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska

1957 - Sid Vicious, singer and bass guitarist with the EMI, Virgin, and Warner Bros. Records group The Sex Pistols, is born John Simon Ritchie.

1963 - Future Virgin Records band The Rolling Stones, at their first recording session for Decca Records, cut the tracks "Come On" and "I Want To Be Loved" at Olympic Studios in London, England. Decca will issue both tracks together as the first single for the label.

1964 - The Beatles performance at the New Musical Express 1963-64 Annual Poll Winner's Concert at Empire Pool, Wembley, England was aired in the UK by ABC-TV on the special "Big Beat '64". They sang "She Loves You," "You Can't Do That," "Twist and Shout," "Long Tall Sally," and "Can't Buy Me Love." at a taping held on April 26, 1964.

1968 - Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, with Shirley Scott on organ, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Ray Lucas on drums, records the titles "I Got The Feeling", "She's Looking Good", and "Ain't No Way" at recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's recording studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. After rejecting the takes of "I Got The Feeling" and "She's Looking Good", Blue Note Records will issue "Ain't No Way" on Turrentine's album "Ain't No Way" (LT-1095).

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Kim Carnes' EMI America Records single "Bette Davis Eyes", with "Miss You Tonight" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. EMI America's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1909 - Mother Maybelle Carter, a singer, guitarist, a founding member of the singing group The Carter Family, and grandmother of future Capitol Records artist Roseanne Cash, is born Maybelle Addington in Nicklesville, Virginia.

1973 - Jack E. Leonard, comedian, actor, and television game show panel member, dies at age 63 in New York City, New York a few weeks after cardiac bypass surgery.

MAY 9, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

85 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Pete Birrell, the bass player with the Tower and Capitol Records group Freddie and the Dreamers, is born in Manchester, England

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - Jo Stafford (on vocals), with Paul Weston and his Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "I'm So Right Tonight" and "Passing By (Vous Qui Passez San Me Voir)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 423).

1947 - Little David Wheaton (on vocals and guitar with an unlisted musician on washboard) records an unissued take of the track "Don't Play Me For A Fool" and the tracks "It Just Ain't For Me", "I Just Couldn't Help It", and "There's All Kinds Of Women" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the second track as a single (Capitol Americana 40139) with "That's What I'm Talkin' About" (recorded July 10, 1947) on the flipside and the third and fourth tracks together as a single (Capitol Americana 40009).

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Vocalist Margaret Whiting, with Lou Busch directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "This Little Piggie Went To Market", "The End Of A Love Affair", "Everlasting", and "River Road Two-Step" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first title as a single (Capitol 1566) with "Hoppy, Topper, and Me" (recorded May 10, 1951) on the flipside, the second and third title together as a single (Capitol 1585), and the last title as a single (Capitol 1702) with "Good Morning Mr. Echo" (recorded June 14, 1951) on the flipside.

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

1952 - Bob Osgood (caller), with Jack Barbour and his Rhythm Rustlers (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "Virginia Reel", "Silver Bells (Rip Tide)", "Jackson's Breakdown (Forward Six Hash), "Bully Of The Town (Make An Arch)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first and last tracks on the album "Square Dances With Calls" (DAS-4028) and the second and third tracks together on the album also called "Square Dances With Calls" (DAS-4027).

1952 - Tex Ritter (on vocals and guitar) with Billy Liebert on piano, Otis "Joe" Maphis, Merle Travis, and Wesley Tuttle on guitar, Wesley "Speedy" West on steel guitar, and Dale Warren on bass, records the tracks "Everybody Likes A Little Lovin'" and "Talk Gobbler Talk" at Capitol Records' studios on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Bear Family Records in Germany will issue both tracks on the compilation CD box set "Tex Ritter - High Noon" (BCD 16356).

1952 - During two session held today in New York City, New York, Leonard Pennario (on piano) records Johann Strauss' "Emperor Waltz, Part 1" and "Emperor Waltz, Part 2" at the first session and "On The Beautiful Danube (Blue Danube Waltz), Part 1" and "On The Beautiful Danube (Blue Danube Waltz), Part 2" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Pennario's album "Johann STRAUSS Waltzes" (H-8167).

1953 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "April In Portugal" is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)"s Capitol Records single "Pretend" is #5, and Jane Froman (with orchestra conducted by Sid Feller)'s Capitol Records single "I Believe" is #14.

1953 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Pretend" (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) is #4 on The Billboard magazine's Most Played In Juke Boxes chart, #5 on the magazine's Best Selling Singles chart, and #6 on the magazine's Most Played By Jockeys chart. "Pretend" is also #6 and Cole's Capitol Records single with Billy May and His Orchestra "Can't I" is #16 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart.

1957 - Ruth Welcome (on zither, with unlisted other musicians) records the track "Star Dust", an unissued take of the track "No Other Love", and the tracks "My Melancholy Baby" and "Does Your Heart Beat For Me?" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first, third, and last tracks together on Welcome's album "Hi-Fi Zither" (T 942).

1957 - Cannon and chime effects are overdubbed in Los Angeles, California on The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra's (lineup unlisted, conducted by Felix Slatkin) recording from April 27, 1957, of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Capitol Records will issue the final version of the track on the orchestra's album "Starlight Chorale" (P-8390).

1958 - Vocalist Andy Griffith, with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt on saxophone, Ray Sherman on piano, Phil Stephens on bass, Ben Gill and Felix Slatkin on violins, and Eleanor Slatkin on cello), records the titles "Love Poems: To The Lovely Juanita Beasley" and "Love Poems: Togetherness" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3990) and on Griffith's album "This Here" (T 1215).

1958 - Vocalist Jack Jones, with Jack Collier directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Playing The Field", "Come On Baby, Let's Go", "Careless Hands", and "You Laugh" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Come On Baby Let's Go" and "You Laugh" together as a single (Capitol F3991). Pickwick Records will issue "Come On Baby, Let's Go" and "Careless Hands" on Jones' album "This Love Of Mine" (SPC 3001) and "You Laugh" on Jones' album "A Very Precious Love" (SPC-3041). "Playing The Field" as yet to be issued.

1958 - During two session held this day in New York City, New York, Fred Waring conducts The Pennsylvanians (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Song Of The Vagabond" with an arrangement by Harry Simone and vocals by Chuck Nelson and "Say It With Music" with an arrrangement by Roy Ringwald at the first session and, with arrangements by Roy Ringwald, the titles "Without A Song" with vocals by Frank Davis and "As Time Goes By" with vocals by Gordon Goodman at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians' two-LP set "Broadway Cavalcade" (WBO/SWBO 1079).

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Jean Shepard records the tracks "How Long Does It Hurt (When A Heart Breaks)" (which will be released by Capitol Records as a single with "If You Were Losing Him To Me" on the flipside in June 1961) and "I've Got To Talk To Mary" (which will be released by Capitol Records as her next single with "Biggest Cry" on the flip side on August 10, 1961) at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

1962 - Glen Campbell (on vocals), with an uncredited orchestra using arrangements by Jimmie Haskell, records the tracks "Too Late To Worry, To Blue To Cry", "Tomorrow Never Comes", "How Do I Tell My Heart Not To Break?", and "Walking The Floor Over You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Campbell's album "Too Late To Worry-Too Blue To Cry" (T 1881).

1962 - Gordon MacRae (on vocals with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Lovely" and "Warmer Than A Whisper" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 4773).

1962 - Dinah Shore (on vocals), with Van Alexander conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "That'll Show Him" and "Just A Brief Encounter" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 4774).

1962 - Capitol Records files information in Los Angeles, California for the masters they purchased for Nelson Riddle (conducting his own arrangements) and His Orchestra's (featuring Don Fagerquist, Cappy Lewis, and Shorty Sherock on trumpet, Dick Nash and Tommy Shepard on trombone, Buddy Collette, Ronnie Lang, and Willie Schwartz on reeds, Frank Flynn on vibraphones, and Ray Sherman on piano, with an uncredited string section) tracks "Indiscreet", "Alone Too Long", "Queen Of Hearts", "Playboy's Theme", "Penny Ante", "You Fascinate Me So", "It's So Nice To Have A Man Around The House", "Witchcraft", "Finesse", "A Game Of Poker", "Red Silk Stockings And Green Perfume", and "Two Hearts Wild" which it will issue on Riddle's album "Love Is A Game Of Poker" (T 1817).

1962 - The Louvin Brothers (Charlie Louvin on vocals and guitar and Ira Louvin on vocals and mandolin) with (listed as probably) Marvin H. Hughes on piano, Jimmy Capps on electric guitar, Harold Ray Bradley on guitar and 6-string bass guitar, Roy M. "Junior" Huskey Jr. on bass, and William Paul Ackerman on drums, record the tracks "The First Time In Life", "There's No Easy Way", "Love Turned To Hate", and "Must You Throw Dust In My Face" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the first and last tracks together as a single (Capitol 4822), the second track as a single (Capitol 5075) with "Everytime You Leave" (recorded May 13, 1961) on the flipside, and the third track as a single (Capitol 4941) with "I Cried After You Left" (recorded on March 25, 1956) on the flipside.

1963 - Vocalist Kay Starr, with Pete King conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "The Good Life', "No Regrets", "Fly Me To The Moon", and "Cherche La Rose" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "No Regrets" and "Cherche La Rose" together as a single (Capitol 4983) and has yet to issue the other two titles.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Paul McCartney records vocal, piano and bass guitar tracks for the ballad "For No One" for The Beatles' "Revolver" album with Ringo Starr on drums. Additional vocals will be overdubbed on May 16 and the French horn solo by Alan Civil of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be overdubbed on May 19. John and George did not participate.

1967 - Overdubs are recorded for Sonny James' tracks "Rally 'Round Your Love" (which was later rejected), "Love Is A Happy Song", and "Today Is The End Of The World" in Nashville, Tennesee. After other overdubs are recorded for the first two tracks on December 13, 1969 Capitol Records will issue the final version of "Love Is Happy Song" on James' album "Heaven Says Hello" (ST 2937) and will issue "Today Is The End Of The World" on James' album "I'll Never Find Another You" (T 2788).

1968 - Vocalist and guitarist Merle Haggard and The Strangers (George French, Jr. on piano, James Burton and Roy Nichols on electric guitars, Joe "Red" Simpson and Lewis Talley on guitars, Norman D. Hamlett on steel guitar, Jerry Ward aka Howard Lowe on bass, and Roy "Eddie" Burris on drums), with Bonnie Owens on harmony vocals, record the titles "Little Ole Wine Drinker Me", "Teach Me To Forget", three takes of "Lookin' For My Mind", and a new take of "Mama Tried" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Little Ole Wine Drinker Me", "Teach Me To Forget", and the take of "Mama Tried" recorded at this session on Haggard's album "Mama Tried" (ST 2972) and "Mama Tried" also as a single (Capitol 2219) with "You'll Never Love Me Now" (recorded May 7, 1968) on the flipside which will eventually peak at #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles and takes in Germany in the five-CD box set "Merle Haggard - Untamed Hawk" (BCD 15744).

1970 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Oh Happy Day", with "Someone Above" on the flipside, enters the U.S. Country singles chart.

1973 - Red Steagall, with unlisted others, records the titles "If You've Got The Time" and "Ol' Helen" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3651) and also on Steagall's album "If You've Got The Time, I've Got The Song" (ST-11228).

50 Years Ago Today In 1976 - The Sylver's Capitol Records single "Boogie Fever" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

40 Years Ago Today In 1986 - The Smithereens sign with Capitol Records.

1988 - Capitol Records registers the master for Hazell Dean's title "Maybe (We Should Call It A Day) that it acquired from EMI. No issuing information is listed.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1935 - Nokie Edwards, a guitarist with Buck Owens band, bass player and lead guitarist with the Dolton and Liberty Records group The Ventures, solo artist, and television actor, is born Nole Edwards in Lahoma, Oklahoma.

1952 - The Miles Davis All Stars (Miles Davis on trumpet, J.J. Johnson on trombone, Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Gil Coggins on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums) record the tracks "Dear Old Stockholm", two takes of "Chance It", two takes of "Donna", two takes of "Wouldn't You", "Yesterdays" (without trombone and alto saxophone), and "How Deep Is The Ocean" (without trombone and alto saxophone) at WOR Studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue the first, third, fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth tracks on Davis' album "Young Man With A Horn" (BLP 5013) and will issue all the tracks on the CD "Miles Davis, Volume 1" (7-81501-2).

1953 - Guitarist John Collins, with Milt Hinton on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums, records the titles "T'aint Nobody's Business", "Lover Man", and untitled Collins original, "You Don't Know What Love Is", "Midnight", "My Funny Valentine", "Lover Come Back To Me", and "Out Of Nowhere" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's recording studio in his parent's home in Hackensack, New Jersey for Blue Note Records which did not issue any of the titles and no tape of this session has survived.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Johnny Dale Owens, future Capitol Records artist Buck Owens' third son, is born in California.

1960 - Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Young Emotions" is #33 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1962 - The Beatles sign a contract with Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of EMI Records, Ltd.

1962 - Lou Donaldson (on alto saxophone), with Tommy Turrentine on trumpet, John Patton on organ, Grant Green on guitar, and Ben Dixon on drums, records the tracks "Spaceman Twist", "People Will Say We're In Love", "That's All", "Funky Mama", "Loved Walked In", "Sow Belly Blues" and "Nice 'N' Greasy" in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue all the tracks except the second on Donaldson's album "The Natural Soul" (BNLP4108) and all the tracks on album's release on CD (7-84108-2).

1964 - Louis Armstrong's single "Hello Dolly" becomes #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, his first in his 41 year career, and knocks The Beatles out of the #1 spot on the chart for the first time in 14 weeks (a run which started February 1 when their single "I Want To Hold Your Hand" held top for 7 weeks, then "She Loves You" was #1 for 2 weeks and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" held the top spot for 5 weeks).

1964 - Kevin Saunderson, with the Virgin Records America group Inner City, is born.

1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Apple Records album "Unfinished Music No. 2 - Life With The Lions" is released in the U.K. and will be released by Capitol Records in the United States on May 26.

1988 - Vocalist Dianne Reeves, with Mulgrew Miller on piano, Charnett Moffett on bass, and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, records the titles "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" without Moffett and Carrington, "The Nearness Of You/Misty", and "How High The Moon" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will "How High The Moon" on Reeve's album "I Remember" (B1-90264 on 12" vinyl and 7-90264-2 on CD) and all the titles in Japan on the album "The Nearness Of You" (RJ28-5020 on 12" vinyl and CJ23-5020 on CD).

1993 - Janet Jackson's Virgin Records single "That's The Way Love Goes" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart


THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1949 - Billy Joel is born William Martin Joel in Levittown (near Hicksville), Long Island, New York.

1949 - Columbia Records releases the Original Broadway Cast album of "South Pacific" featuring Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza.

1957 - Eight years later to the day, Ezio Pinza, who had an earlier career as a renowned bass opera singer, dies in Stamford, Connecticut nine days before his sixty-fifth birthday.

1984 - Nudie Cohn, clothing designer for the stars, dies in North Hollywood, California at age 81