APRIL 25, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1917 - Ella Fitzgerald, singer, motion picture actress, and a Verve and a Capitol Records artist, is born Ella Jane Fitzgerald in Newport News, Virginia. Ella would be one of the first non-Capitol artists to record in Studio A in the Capitol Tower. On August 16, 1956, she, along with Louis Armstrong, would record tracks for their duet album on Verve and 5 days later she would record tracks for her "Sings The Rodgers & Hart Song Book", also on Verve. She would go on to record three albums for Capitol with producer Dave Dexter, Jr.

1958 - Derek William Dick (aka Fish), the original vocalist and guitarist with the Capitol Records group Marillion and a solo artist, is born in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland.

1994 - Maggie Rogers, a singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Margaret Debay Rogers in Easton Maryland.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - Pappy "Gube" Beaver signs a contract with Capitol.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Pianist Lou Busch as Joe "Fingers" Carr, with the vocal group The Carr-Hops (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Ballin' The Jack", "It Must Be True You Are Mine, All Mine", and "Carr's Hop" (which will be remastered and released as "Rapscallion Rag") in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Ballin' The Jack" and "It Must Be True You Are Mine, All Mine" together as a single (Capitol 1558) and "Rapscallion Rag" on Carr's album ""Bar Room Piano" (CCN-280).

1953 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Pretend", with orchestra conducted by arranger Nelson Riddle, is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart, Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "April In Portugal" is #6, Jane Froman's Capitol Records single "I Believe", conducted by Sid Feller, is #18 and Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Can't I?", also with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra is #19.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Capitol Records artist Peggy Lee marries her third husband, actor Dewey Martin.

1958 - Vocalist Tommy Sands, with Bob Bain's Music (Merrill E. Moore on piano, Bob Bain on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, and unlisted bass and drums players), records the titles "After The Senior Prom" and "Since I Met You Baby" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "After The Prom" as a single (Capitol F3985) with "Big Date" (recorded April 28, 1958) on the flipside and "Since I Met You Baby" on Sands' album "Sands Storm!" (EAP-2-1081 on 7" vinyl and T 1081 on 12" vinyl).

1958 - Nelson Riddle conducts his own arrangements to His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Love Theme From 'St. Louis Blues'", "The Song From 'Kings Go Forth' (Monique)", "Una Casa Portuguesa" and "Siesta Sevilla" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Love Theme From 'St. Louis Blues'" as a single (Capitol F3980) with "The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad" (recorded April 14, 1958) on the flipside, "The Song From 'Kings Go Forth' (Monique)" and "Siesta In Sevilla" together as a single (Capitol F4005), and "Una Casa Portuguesa" as a single (Capitol F074) with "Birds Of Paradise" (recorded September 16, 1958) on the flipside.

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - The Louvin Brothers sign a contract with Capitol Records.

1963 - Vocalist Jean Hoffman, with unlisted others, records the titles "Bye Bye Blackbird", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face", and "I Love Little Jimmy" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1963 - Vocalist June Christy, with Al Viola on guitar and Don Bagley on bass, records the titles "Don't Explain", "Ev'ry Time", "I Get Along Without You Very Well", and "Suddenly It's Spring" in Los Angeles, California with producer Bill Miller. Capitol Records will issue "Don't Explain" and "Ev'ry Time" on Christy's album "The Intimate Miss Christy" (T/ST 1953) and has yet to issue the takes of "I Get Along Without You Very Well" and "Suddenly It's Spring" recorded at this session. New takes of both titles will be recorded on May 23, 1958, and those takes will be the ones issued on the album "The Intimate Miss Christy".

1963 - Vocalist Al Martino, with Belford Hendricks conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra and vocal chorus (lineups unlisted), records the titles "Just Call Me Lonesome", "Take These Chains From My Heart", "It's A Sin", "Losing You", and "Still" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Martino's album "I Love You Because" (T/ST 1914).

1964 - According to the Ottawa Journal "Hit Parade", The Beatles hold the #1, 2 & 3 slots in Canada with, respectively, the singles "Twist and Shout", "Can't Buy Me Love" and "All My Loving".

1967 - The Beatles record the title "Magical Mystery Tour" at Abbey Road Studios in London, England with producer George Martin.

1968 - The Beatles' Apple Corps, Ltd. begins operations in its London offices at 27 Ovington Square, London, SW3 1LJ.

1968 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, overdubs are recorded for Glen Campbell's title "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" at the first session and then vocalist Glen Campbell, with Al De Lory conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas" and "Fate Of Man" at the second session. After further overdubs are recorded for "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" on May 10, 1968, for "It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas" on July 24, 1968, and for "Fate Of Man" on August 28, 1968, Capitol Records will issue the final mix of "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" and "Fate Of Man" on Campbell's album "Wichita Lineman" (ST-103), the final mix of "It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas" on Campbell's album "That Christmas Feeling" (ST 2978), and "Fate Of Man" as a single (Capitol 2302) with "Wichita Lineman" (recorded May 27, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - The Lettermen (vocalists Jim Pike, Tony Butala, and Bob Engemann) Perry Botkin, Jr. conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the title "Anyone Who Had A Heart" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 2196) with "All The Grey Haired Men" (recorded April 13, 1968) 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) records the title "Amphetamine Gazelle" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 2310) with "High All The Time" (recorded May 29, 1968) on the flipside and on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985).

1968 - During three sessions held this day at Century Sound Studios in New York City, New York, The Wind In The Willows (Peter Brittain on lead guitar and vocals, Deborah Harry on vocals, tambura, tambourine, and finger cymbals, Paul Klein on guitar and vocals, Steve "Marvello" DePhillips on bass and vocals, Wayne Kirby on double bass, piano, harpsichord, organ, and vibraphone, Ida Andrews on flute, bassoon, piccolo, flute, chimes and vocals, Anton Carysforth on drums, and session producer Artie Kornfeld on bongos, bass drum, drums, hairy drums) with recording engineer Brooks Arthur and a string section (lineup unlisted) using arrangements by Wayne Kirby, records the titles "My Uncle Used To Love Me But She Died" and "So Sad" at the first session, the titles "Park Avenue Blues" and "She's Fantastic" at the second session, and the titles "A Quite Respectable Older Lady", and "Uptown Girl" at the third session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "A Quite Respectable Older Lady" which has yet to be issued, on the group's self-titled album "The Wind In The Willows" (SKAO 2956).

55 Years Ago Today In 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 - An editing session is held for The Lettermen's title "Mac Arthur Park" (recorded December 15, 1972, with overdubs recorded on December 22 and 29, 1972) to create "Mac Arthur Park (Short Version)" for Capitol Records, which has yet to issue the title.

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Capitol Records group Wings disbands when guitarist Denny Laine quits.

1983 - Capitol Records re-releases Duran Duran's self-titled album "Duran Duran" in the U.S., with the addition of the track "Is There Something I Should Know? as well as new photos, where it will peak at #10.

1983 - As listed in the master files, vocalist Beau Williams, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) using arrangements by Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey, records the title "Stay With Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Williams' album "Stay With Me" (ST-12286).

1983 - Capitol Records will register the masters for Bruce Murray's titles "Fron Now On" and "Mixed Emotion" and will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 5234).

1992 - Capitol Records vocal group The Five Keys is inducted into the United In Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame. The group does an impromptu performance which will be the last by its original members.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1963 - Coleridge Perkinson directs vocalist, pennywhistle, talking drums, and guitar player Solomon Ilori and His Afro-Drum Ensemble (Chief Bey and Montego Joe on congas, Josiah Ilori on sakara drums and cowbell, Robert Crowder on congas, chekere, and cowbell, Garvin Masseaux on congas, xylophone, and cowbell) with Hosea Taylor on alto saxophone, Jay Berliner on guitar, and Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass, as they record the titles "Yaba E (Farewell)", "Jojolo (Look At This Beautiful Girl)", "Follow Me To Africa", "Aiye Le (Troubled World)", "Tolani (African Love Song" in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on Solomon Ilori and His Afro-Drum Ensemble's album "African High Life" (BLP4136/BST84136 on 12" vinyl and 3-59437-2 on CD).

1973 - Former Capitol Records artist Dean Martin marries his third wife, Catherine Mae Hawn.

1975 - Future Capitol Records band Sweet's Bell Records single "Little Willy" is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1983 - Vocalist Sheena Easton, with unlisted others, records the title "Keep The Motor Running" at an unlisted studio for EMI America. No issuing information is listed.

1983 - Vocalist Ernestine Anderson, with Norman Simmons on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Tim Horner on drums, records the title "Someday My Prince Will Come" in the Toshiba EMI Studios in Tokyo, Japan. EMI Eastworld Records will issue the title in Japan on the multi-artist compilation LP "Three Pearls" (EWJ 90028) and Blue Note/EMI Toshiba will issue the title in Japan on the CD release of the album (TOCJ-6189).

1990 - Dexter Gordon, a saxophonist, Academy Award-nominated motion-picture actor, and Blue Note Records artist, dies at age 67 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 APRIL 24, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1914 - Ray Leatherwood, a bass player with Capitol Records artist Les Brown and His Band of Renown, also with Bob Chester's Orchestra and The Jack Teagarden Sextet, who helped back Liberty Records singers Julie London (most notable on "Cry Me A River"), and Matt Dennis, toured with Capitol Records artist Bob Hope's troupe on 20 Christmas visits to U. S. military bases around the world for the U.S.O., and worked with Rosy McHargue's Ragtimers, but only for recording sessions, is born in Itasca, Texas.

1942 - Barbra Streisand, a singer, Broadway and motion picture actress, television variety special host and guest, Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards winner, and a Capitol Records artist (the original Broadway cast album for "Funny Girl") is born Barbara Joan Streisand in Brooklyn, New York.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Theremin player Dr. Samuel Hoffman, with Leslie (Les) Baxter conducting a vocal group and orchestra (lineups unlisted), records new takes of the titles "Celestial Nocturne", "Lunar Rhapsody", and "Lunette" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all three titles on Hoffman's album "Music Out Of The Moon" (CC-47 on 78 RPM, CCF-2000 on 45 RPM, and H-2000 on 33 1/3 RPM).

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Vocalist Ella Mae Morse and pianist Freddie Slack, with a rhythm section (Al Hendrickson on guitar, Phil Stephens on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums), record the titles "Your Conscience Tells You" and "Pig Foot Pete" at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the two titles together as a single (Capitol 278).

1948 - Peggy Lee (with then-husband Dave Barbour and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Manana" is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart and The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #7.

1950 - Mel Blanc is back in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California again to record tracks for the childrens singles "Bugs Bunny Meets Hiawatha" and "Daffy Duck Meets Yosemite Sam". Both tracks are produced by Alan Livingston with the stories by Warren Foster and Michael Maltese and music by Billy May. On "Bugs Bunny Meets Hiawatha" additional uncredited vocals are provided by Arthur Q. Bryan. On "Daffy Duck Meets Yosemite Sam" Vance "Pinto" Colvig, also the voice of Bozo for Capitol and Goofy for Disney, provides additional uncredited vocals.

1953 - Pianist Joe "Fingers" Carr (aka Lou Busch) and His Ragtime Band (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Wang Wang Blues", "Wabash Blues", "Doodle-Doo-Doo", and "Alabamy Bound" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Carr's album "Joe 'Fingers' Carr And His Ragtime Band" (EBF-443 on 7" vinyl, H-443 on 10" vinyl, and T 433 on 12" vinyl).

1954 - Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records single "Young At Heart", with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra and "Take A Chance" on the flipside, is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Answer Me, My Love", also with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra and "Why" on the flipside, is #6, Kay Starr (with Harold Mooney conducting the orchestra) has a hit double-sided Capitol Records single with "The Man Upstairs" at #12 and it's flipside "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" at #13, and Les Paul and Mary Ford's Capitol Records single "I Really Don't Want To Know", with "South" on the flipside, debuts at #20.

1958 - Vocalist Tommy Sands, with Bob Bain's Music (Merrill E. Moore on piano, Bob Bain on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, and unlisted bass and drums players), records the titles "Warm Your Heart", "Hey, Miss Fannie" with an unlisted tenor saxophonist and without Moore on piano, "Tweedle Dee Dee" also with the tenor saxophonist and Moore back on piano, and "Rock Light" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Sands' album "Sands Storm!" (EAP-1/2/3-1081 on 7" vinyl and T 1081 on 12" vinyl).

1958 - Vocalist Faron Young, with (listed as probably) Tommy Jackson and Dale Potter on twin fiddles, Marvin Hughes on piano and vibraphone, Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland on electric guitar, Chet Atkins on guitar, Loren Otis "Jack" Shook on rhythm guitar, Gene "Buddy" Emmons on steel guitar, Murray M. "Buddy" Harman, Jr. on drums and The Anita Kerr Singers (unlisted chorus vocals), records the titles "Out Of My Heart", "Everytime I'm Kissin' You", and "Alone With You" at Bradley Film and Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "Out Of My Heart" on Young's album "Hello Walls" (T/ST 1528) and "Everytime I'm Kissin' You" and "Alone With You" together as a single (Capitol F3982) and on Young's album "Faron Young Sing The Best Of Faron Young" (T 1450).

1963 - Vocalist June Christy, with Al Viola on guitar and Don Bagley on bass, records the titles "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "Time After Time", and, without Bagley on bass, "Misty", then, with Bagley back on bass, "It Never Entered My Mind" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue the takes of "I Fall In Love Too Easily" and "Time After Time" recorded at this session and both will have new takes recorded on May 23, 1963, which will be issued on Christy's album "The Intimate Miss Christy" (T/ST 1953) along with the takes of "Misty" and "It Never Entered My Mind" recorded at this session.

1967 - Capitol Records' subsidiary Tower Records (no relation to the much-missed chain of record stores) releases the first single in the U.S. by "The Pink Floyd" - "Arnold Layne" with "Candy And A Current Bun" on the flipside (Tower 333). The track is written by Syd Barrett and features "The Light Kings of England" - Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett, and Rick Wright. For more information on Pink Floyd's discography on Tower Records, read this definitive article by Vernon Fitch. For more on the discography and life of late Syd Barret, go to Stephen Scheider's tribute site.

1968 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with Al De Lory conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "If You Go Away" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded for "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" on April 25, 1968, and for both titles on May 10, 1968, Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of both titles on Campbell's album "Wichita Lineman" (ST-103).

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) records the title "Eastern Light" in Los Angeles, California with producer by Nick Venet. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985).

1968 - During three sessions held this day in New York City, New York, The Wind In The Willows (vocalist Debbie Harry with unlisted others) records the titles "Moments Spent" and "The Djini Judy" at the first session, "There Is But One Truth Daddy" and "Little People" at the second session, and "Friendly Lion" and "Wheel Of Changes" at the third session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "" (SKAO 2956).

1968 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Lou Levy conducting His Orchestra (Victor Paz, Al De Risi, Tony Robilotte, and Lew Soloff on trumpets and flugelhorns, Ray De Sio, Mort Trautman, and Bill Watrous on trombones, Alan Robinson on French horn, Hubert Laws on saxophone and flute, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on harmonica, Mundell Lowe on guitar, Ben Tucker on bass, Grady Tate on drums, and Francisco Aguabella on percussion) performs the titles "Fever", "Why Don't You Do Right", "Well Alright, Okay, You Win", "Travelin' Light", "What Is A Woman?", and "Lonesome Road" during a show at the Copacabana Club in New York City, New York that is taped. Capitol Records will issue "Well Alright, Okay, You Win", "What Is A Woman?", and "Here's To You" on Lee's album "2 Shows Nightly" (ST-105) and has yet to issue any of the other titles.

1974 - Grand Funk Railroad's Capitol Records single "The Loco-motion", with "Destitute & Losin'" on the flipside, is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1975 - Pete Ham (born William Peter Ham), singer, songwriter, and a founder and leader of the groups The Panthers, The Iveys and Apple Records and Capitol Records group Badfinger, hangs himself in the garage of his home in London, England at age 27, three days before his 28th birthday.

1977 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Southern Nights", with "William Tell Overture" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1978 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the title "Another Fine Mess" at Studio City's studios in Sherman Oaks, California for the soundtrack of the motion picture "the end". Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 4584) with "Can You Fool" (recorded February 22, 1978) on the flipside.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - Glenn Cornick, bass player with the Chrysalis Records band Jethro Tull and the band Wild Turkey is born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. Chrysalis' American catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1957 - Future Imperial and Capitol Records artist Ricky Nelson's first single, "A Teenager's Romance", with "I'm Walkin'" on the flipside, is released by Verve Records and sells 60,000 copies in three days.

1959 - The final episode of "Your Hit Parade", the Saturday night pop-music show that's been running on the radio since April 1935, and on television since 1950, is broadcast.

 APRIL 23, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

95 Years Ago Today In 1931 - Kelton "Kelso" Dean Herston, a music executive who opened and headed the Nashville offices for United Artists and Capitol Records, the music director for the television show "Hee Haw", a prolific jingle writer, and a music publisher is born in Rogersville, Alabama.

1974 - Carlos Dengler (aka Carlos D.), a musician, actor, filmmaker, and one-time bass guitarist and keyboardist for the Matador and Capitol Records band Interpol is born Carlos Andres Dengler in Queens, New York.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - At their first session for Capitol Records, Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan record the titles "Bugs Bunny Meets Elmer Fudd - Part 1", "Bugs Bunny Meets Elmer Fudd - Part 2" and "Daffy Duck Flies South - Part 1" using a script by Tedd Pierce and Warren Foster and adapted by Alan Livingston and with Billy May conducting his own arrangements to his Orchestra (Uan Rasey, and Emanuel "Mannie" Klein on trumpets, Ed Kusby and Carl Loeffler on trombones, Mario Grilli on French horn, Harold Lawson, Jules Kinsler, Gordon Green, Arthur Fleming, and George Smith on saxophones, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Noel Boggs on guitar, Phil Stephens on bass, John Cyr on drums, June Weiland on harp, Nick Pisani, Mischa Russell, and Olcott Vail on violins, David Sterkin on viola, and Cy Bernard on cello), in Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 12:00 AM on April 24, 1947. After additional vocals by Pinto Colvig and the title "Daffy Duck Flies South - Part 2" are recorded on April 30, 1947, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the children's album "Bugs Bunny's Stories for Children" (CC-64).

1948 - The King Cole Trio start seven straight days of performances at Radio City in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and their Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #2 on The Billboard magazine's Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys chart and #7 on the magazine's Best-Selling Popular Retail Records chart.

1949 - Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "'A' You're Adorable", the flipside of "I Need You", debuts at #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart where it will peak the next week at #3.

1949 - Mel Tormé has three Capitol Records singles in the top 20 of Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart: "Careless Hands" (with orchestra conducted by Sonny Burke), with "She's A Home Girl" on the flipside, is at #9, "Again" (with orchestra conducted by Pete Rugolo) debuts at #18, and it's flipside, "Blue Moon", debuts at #20 (in a tie with Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks' single "Blue Skirt Waltz").

1953 - During two sessions held on this day in Los Angeles, California, Jack Barbour and His Rhythm Rustlers (lineup unlisted and featuring Bob Osgood on vocals and Odes McDowell on unlisted contribution) record the titles "Grandma's Favorite" in G, "Silver Lake" in G, "Late For Supper" in D, and "Bye Bye Baby" in D at the first session and the titles "Silver Bell" in C, "Jackson's Breakdown" in D, "Bully Of The Town" in C, and "Hornet's Nest" in D at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Grandma's Favorite" and "Silver Lake" in the album "Jack Barbour And His Rhythm Rustlers - Square Dance Favorites (Without Calls)" (DAS-4040 on 10" shellac and KASF-4040 on 7" vinyl), "Late For Supper" and "Bye Bye Baby" in the album "Jack Barbour And His Rhythm Rustlers - Square Dance Favorites (without calls)" (DAS-4041 on 10" shellac and KASF-4041 on 7" vinyl), "Silver Bell" and "Hornet's Nest" in the album "Jack Barbour And His Rhythm Rustlers - Square Dance Favorites (without calls)" (DAS-4044 on 10" shellac and KASF-4044 on 7" vinyl), and "Jackson's Breakdown" and "Bully Of The Town" in the album "Jack Barbour And His Rhythm Rustlers - Square Dance Favorites (without calls)" (DAS-4045 on 10" shellac and KASF-4045 on 7" vinyl).

1958 - Nat "King" Cole opens at The Coconut Grove at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

1958 - Vocalist Tommy Sands, with Bob Bain's Music (Merrill E. Moore on piano, Bob Bain on lead guitar, Buck Owens on rhythm guitar, and unlisted bass and drums players) and a vocal chorus (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Blue Velvet", "Hearts Of Stone", "Maybelline", and "Little Mama" with an unlisted tenor saxophonist in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Sands' album "Sands Storm!" (T 1081).

1958 - Vocalist Robert Mitchum, with Justin Gordon on saxophone, Milt Raskin on piano, Jack Marshall, Otis "Joe" Maphis, and Howard Roberts on guitar, Tiny Timbrell on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums, records the titles "My Honey's Lovin' Arms" and "The Ballad Of Thunder Road" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3986) and "The Ballad Of Thunder Road" on the multi-artist compilation album ""Shutdown" (T/DT 1918).

1958 - Guitarist Jack Marshall directs an orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the title "Thunder Road Chase" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol F3978) with "Fingerpoppin'" (recorded January 2, 1958) on the flipside.

1958 - The Jonah Jones Quartet (Jonah Jones on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, John Brown on bass, and Harold Austin on drums) records the titles "Some Enchanted Evening", "The Blues Don't Care", and, with Jonah Jones also on vocals, "It's A Good Day" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records has yet to issue "Some Enchanted Evening" and will issue the other two titles on the quartet's album "Jumpin' With Jonah" (T/ST 1039).

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Judy Garland's Sunday night concert at Carnegie Hall is recorded live by Capitol Records and rush-released as a double album which will go on to win 5 Grammys and be the #1 album for 13 weeks. It will be remastered and re-released in 2001 for its 40th anniversary under the supervision of then-VP of Catalog A&R Paul Atkinson.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #3 on WABC's Hot Prospects ("Hits Of Tomorrow, Today!") chart.

1963 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, vocalist Tennessee Ernie Ford, with The San Quentin Prison Choir (40 unlisted vocalists) and Jack Fascinato conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "We Gather Together" and "Whiter Than Snow" at the first session and the titles "Come Thou Fount", "Somebody Dig A Golden Deed", "Higher Ground", "God Of Our Fathers", and "Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Tennessee Ernie Ford And The San Quentin Prison Choir - We Gather Together" (T/ST 1937).

1967 - Sonny James' Capitol Records single "Need You", with "On And On" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1968 - Ben Kalama directs his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted but features Hawaiian guitar players) as they record the titles "Sleepy Lagoon", "Adventures In Paradise", "Lovely Hula Girl", "My Tane (My Man)", "Heavenly Islands (Le Bateau De Tahiti)", "Trade Winds", "Hawaiian Rose", "Ebb Tide", "I'll Weave A Lei Of Stars For You", "Sweet Someone", "Palisa", and "Kalena Kai" in an unlisted studio in Hawaii with producer Webley Edwards. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Webley Edwards Presents: 'Hawaii Calls' Soft Hawaiian Guitars - Favorite Instrumentals Of The Islands - Volume 6" (ST 2917).

1968 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Lou Levy conducting His Orchestra (Victor Paz, Al De Risi, Tony Robilotte, and Lew Soloff on trumpets and flugelhorns, Ray De Sio, Mort Trautman, and Bill Watrous on trombones, Alan Robinson on French horn, Hubert Laws on saxophone and flute, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on harmonica, Mundell Lowe on guitar, Ben Tucker on bass, Grady Tate on drums, and Francisco Aguabella on percussion) performs the titles "Personal Property", "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Something Stupid", "Until It's Time For You To Go", "Keep Your Hand On The Plow", and "Big Spender" during a performance at the Copacabana Club in New York City, New York that is taped. Capitol Records has yet to issue "Big Spender" and will issue all the other titles on Lee's album "2 Shows Nightly" (ST-105).

1968 - Overdubs are recorded in Nashville, Tennessee for Sonny James' titles "She Thinks I Still Care" and "I Fall To Pieces". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of "She Thinks I Still Care" on James' album "Heaven Says Hello" (ST 2937) and the final mix of "I Fall To Pieces" on James' album "Born To Be With You" (ST-111).

1969 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Galveston", with "How Come Every Time I Itch I Wind Up Scratchin' You" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1969 - The Beach Boys finish recording the title "Break Away", written by Murray Wilson and produced by Brian Wilson with Carl Wilson on lead vocals. The title will be released as a single, with "Celebrate The News" on the flipside, by Capitol Records on June 23, 1969, and peak at #63 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1973 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased for Red Simpson's titles "Awful Lot To Learn About Truck Drivin'", "You Still Got A Hold On Me", "Gas, Food And Lodging", and "Feeling Like Tarzan", which were recorded April 1, 1973 in Portland, Oregon, and 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 the other two titles.

1973 - The Trend (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Castaways" and "What Am I Gonna Do?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Castaways" as a single (Capitol 3725) with "Places" (recorded April 20, 1973) on the flipside and has yet to issue "What Am I Gonna Do?".

40 Years Ago Today In 1986 - Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck in Buffalo, New York), bandleader, pianist, Broadway actor, singer, composer ("Stormy Weather", "Over The Rainbow" and many others and worked with lyricists "Yip" Harburg, Capitol Records' co-founder Johnny Mercer, Ted Koehler, and others) and Capitol Records artist, dies at age 81 in New York City, New York and is later interred next to his wife, Anya Taranda, in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

1988 - Iron Maiden's Capitol Records album "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" is #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart.

15 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Tom King, a guitarist and founding member of the Capitol Records band The Outsiders who co-wrote the band's biggest hit, "Time Won't Let Me," died at age 68 at a nursing home in Wickliffe, Ohio, after a period of declining health.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1924 - The Gramophone Company (later to become EMI, Capitol Music Group's parent company) records His Majesty King George V's speech at the opening of the Wembley Exhibition. The recording was made by a semi-electrical process with the wireless loudspeaker connected by a short tube to the recording box.

90 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Roy Orbison, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Virgin Records America recording artist, is born Roy Kelton Orbison in Vernon, Texas.

1942 - Sandra Dee, motion picture actress and future wife of Capitol Records artist Bobby Darin, is born Alexandra Zuck.

1962 - Decca Records releases Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers (aka The Beatles with Pete Best on drums) single "My Bonnie", with "The Saints" (aka "When the Saints Go Marching In") on the flipside, in the United States.

1973 - Billy May and The Time-Life Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record overdubs in Los Angeles, for the title "Dear Heart" which was recorded on April 12, 1973, at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Time-Life Records will issue the final mix of the title as part of its "As You Remember Them Series" in the three-LP set "Volume 7 - Billy May".

1983 - Michael Murphy, with unlisted others, records the title "The Heart Never Lies" in an unlisted studio for Liberty Records. No issuing information by either Liberty or EMI America is listed.

1994 - Pink Floyd's Columbia Records album "The Division Bell" debuts at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart where it will stay for 4 weeks. spending 4 weeks as the top album in the country. The album will be certified Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum in the US in June of 1994 and Triple Platinum in January of 1999. Pink Floyd's catalog is now distributed by Capitol Records.

APRIL 22, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

90 Years Ago Today In 1936 - Glen Campbell, a guitarist, singer, motion picture actor, television variety show host, and a Capitol Records session musician and solo artist, is born in Delight, Arkansas.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1938 - During two sessions held this day in Berlin, Germany for Telefunken Records, Hans von Benda conducts The Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Respighi's "Italiana", "Siciliana", "Aria Di Corte, Part 1", "Aria Di Corte, Part 2", and "Passacaglia" at the first session and Corelli's ""Giga And Badinerie" at the second session. After Capitol Records licenses Telefunken's catalog for release in the United States, it will issue all of the titles on the album "RESPIGHI - Dances And Airs In Olden Style/CORELLI - Giga and Badinerie" (ECL-8056 on 10" shellac and KCM-8056 on 7" vinyl).

1947 - Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Romance" with vocals by Lois Butler and, with vocalist Lee Sweetland", "The Desert Song" and "The Riff Song" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Lois Butler and Lee Sweetland's album "Songs Of Sigmund Romberg" (CD-61).

1948 - The King Cole Trio close at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, Nebraska.

1948 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased from Van-Es Recording Co. of Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage's titles "I'll Have Somebody Else" and "Lay Your Little Head On My Shoulder" and will issue "I'll Have Somebody Else (As Soon As Your Gone)" as a single (Capitol 15163) with "Sometime" (recorded July 5, 1948) on the flipside and "Lay Your Little Head On My Shoulder" as a single (Capitol 15221) with "Just A Little Lovin'" (recorded August 4, 1948) on the flipside.

1949 - The Miles Davis Nonet (with Davis on trumpet, Kenny Clarke on drums, J.J. Johnson on trombone, Lee Konitz on alto saxophone, John Lewis on piano, Gerry Mulligan on baritone saxophone, Bill Barber on tuba, Nelson Boyd on double bass, and Sandy Siegelstein on french horn) records the titles "Venus De Milo" (arranged by Gerry Mulligan), "Boplicity" (arranged by Gil Evans), "Israel" (arranged by Johnny Carisi), and "Rouge" (arranged by John Lewis). The session, set up by Capitol A&R man Walter Rivers (a cousin of Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer, who also signed Yma Sumac to the label) and produced by Pete Rugolo, was held at radio station WMGM's studios at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City, New York. Capitol Records eventually released all the titles Davis' album "Birth Of The Cool".

1953 - Nat "King" Cole and Billy May open at The Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium & Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

1953 - Vocalists Jerry Lewis and Patti Lewis, with Dick Stabile and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day", "Gimme A Little Kiss", and "If You Loved Me Truly" then, with just Jerry on vocals, the title "Y-y-y-yup" using an arrangement by Nelson Riddle. Capitol Records will issue "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day" and "If You Loved Me Truly" together as a single (Capitol 2481) and "Gimme A Little Kiss" and "Y-y-y-yup" together as a single (Capitol 2576).

1957 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased for Les Paul and Mary Ford's titles "Tuxedos And Flowers" and "Hummin' and Waltzin'", both with vocals by Mary Ford, and will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol F3725).

1957 - Trumpet player Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Art De Pew, Jack Laubach, and Jack Holman also on trumpet, Ken Trimble, Lew McCreary, and Jimmy Priddy on trombone, Med Flory and Gene Merlino on alto saxophone, Bob Enevoldsen and Jeff Massingill on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Al Viola on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, and Bill Richmond on drums), using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the titles "Young Ideas", "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams", "Lonely Night In Paris", and, with the addition of four cellos and a vocal chorus (lineups unlisted), "Cello-phane" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Anthony's album "Young Ideas" (T/ST 866) and "Cello-phane" as a single (Capitol F3739) with "The Lonely Trumpet" (recorded May 15, 1957) on the flipside.

1957 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Jack Marshall and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Every Night", "Uninvited Dream", and "Baby, Baby Wait For Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Baby, Baby Wait For Me" as a single (Capitol F3722) with "Ev'ry Night" (recorded April 13, 1957) on the flipside, the version recorded at this date (another take was recorded on August 30, 1957) of "Uninvited Dream" on the CD "Peggy Lee - The Singles Collection" (5-39756-2), and have yet to the take of "Every Night" recorded on this date.

1958 - Vocalist Ethel Ennis, with Sid Feller conducting his own arrangments to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "It Was So Beautiful", "The Things I Love", Harry Warren's "Serenade In Blue", and "How About Me" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Ennis' album "Have You Forgotten?" (T 1078). For more on Ethel Ennis go to this New York Times article.

1958 - The Jonas Jones Quartet (Jonah Jones on trumpet and vocals, Hank Jones on piano, John Brown on bass, and Harold Austin on drums) record the titles "Dance Only With Me" and "That's A Plenty" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the quintet's album "Jumpin' With Jonah" (EAP-1/2-1039 on 7" EP and T/ST 1039 on 12" LP).

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Capitol Records artist Faron Young is one of the headliners (along with Webb Pierce, Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs) at the first annual Country Music Festival held in the United States at the 13,000-seater Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.

1963 - Gene Vincent's recording contract with Capitol Records expires. His last recording for the label is a remake of "Be-Bop-A-Lula".

1968 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased for vocalist Joe South's titles "How Can I Unlove You" and "She's Almost You" in Los Angeles, California and will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2169).

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) records the title "Merciful Monks (Of Mount Tamalpais)" in Los Angeles, California with producer Nick Venet. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985).

1968 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Lou Levy conducting His Orchestra (Victor Paz, Al De Risi, Tony Robilotte, and Lew Soloff on trumpets and flugelhorns, Ray De Sio, Mort Trautman, and Bill Watrous on trombones, Alan Robinson on French horn, Hubert Laws on saxophone and flute, Jean "Toots" Thielemans on harmonica, Mundell Lowe on guitar, Ben Tucker on bass, Grady Tate on drums, and Francisco Aguabella on percussion) performs the titles "Do I Hear A Waltz?", "Don't Speak", "Paradise", "Reason To Believe", "I Didn't Want To Do It", and "Come Back To Me" during a live performance at the Copacabana Club in New York City, New York that was recorded. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "Don't Speak" and "Paradise" which have yet to be issued, on Lee's self-titled album "Peggy Lee" (ST-105).

1969 - John Lennon legally changes his middle name from Winston to Ono in a ceremony on the rooftop of The Beatles' Apple Building and later requires that all of his Gold Record awards bear the correct legal name, John Ono Lennon.

1983 - Ronnie Laws, with unlisted others, records the title "In The Groove" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5241) with "Summer Fool" (recorded April 9, 1981 for Liberty Records) on the flipside and on Laws' album "Mr. Nice Guy" (ST-12261).

1970 - Variety magazine runs an article entitled "Split Of Beatles Clips Capitol Industries Stocks".

1987 - Irving C. Ashby, guitarist in the Capitol Record group The King Cole Trio, dies in Perris, California at age 66.

35 Years Ago Today In 1991 - Vocalist Joe Cocker, with Girls Talk (lineup unlisted) on backing vocals, T.M. Stevens on bass, Steve Holley on drums, Phil Grande on guitar, Chris Stainton, Greg Philinganes, and Rory Kaplin on keyboards, and Alex Acuna on percussion, records the titles "A Little Bit Of Love" and "I Can Hear The River" at A&M Studios at 1416 North La Brea Avenue in Hollywood, California with producer David Tickle. After additional overdubs are laid down at Metropolis Recording Studios at 70 Chiswick High Road, in London, England, Capitol Records will release the title on Cocker's CD "Night Calls" (7-97801-2).

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1958 - Guitarist Wes Montgomery, with Buddy Montgomery on vibraphone, Richie Crabtree on piano, Monk Montgomery on electric bass, and Benny Barth on drums, performs the titles "Stranger In Paradise" and "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" at a live show held at the Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California which was recorded. Blue Note Records will issue both titles on Montgomery's album "Beginnings" (BN-LA531-H2).

1978 - Kenny Rogers and Dottie West's United Artists Records single "Every Time Two Fools Collide", with "We Love Each Other" on the flipside, is still #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts. United Artist's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1979 - Blondie's Chrysalis Records single "Heart Of Glass" with "11:59" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. Chrysalis' American catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group and distributed by Capitol Music Group.

1990 - Sinead O' Connor's Chrysalis Records album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" is #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. Chrysalis' American catalog was owned by Universal Music Group and distributed by Capitol Music Group.

APRIL 21, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1924 - Ira Louvin, singer, songwriter, guitarist, 2001 Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee, a part of the Capitol Records duo The Louvin Brothers with his brother Charlie and a solo Capitol Records artist, is born Ira Lonnie Loudermilk in Rainsville, near Section, Alabama. Ira was inducted with his brother into the Alabama Hall of Fame in 1991 with a Lifework Award for Performing Achievement. They have a great biography of the brothers on their website.

1968 - Michael Franti, poet, songwriter, musician, singer, member of the Island Records group The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and the Capitol Records solo artist and with the group Spearhead, is born in Oakland, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1947 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with guitarist Dave Barbour and His Orchestra and a male chorus (lineups unlisted), records the titles "Ain'tcha Ever Comin' Back" and "Chi-Baba Chi Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 419).

1949 - Mel Blanc starts recording vocal tracks for the Capitol Record Reader "Bugs Bunny In Storyland" and will finish the next day. The sessions are produced by Alan Livingston, with music by Billy May. The story is by Tedd Pierce and Warren Foster with illustrations for the attached booklet by Robert McKimson and Richard Thomas. Also on the record, but uncredited, were Arthur Q. Bryan (Elmer Fudd) and June Foray. Jack Tatay maintains a great site about all the Capitol children's records with Warner Brothers cartoon characters, with lots of images and sound clips.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Capitol Records releases Les Paul and Mary Ford's single "Mockin' Bird Hill", with Les Paul's "Chicken Reel" on the flipside.

1953 - Vocalist Mel Blanc, with Lou Busch and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Somebody Stole My Gal" and "I Love Me" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2470 on shellac and F2740 on 7" vinyl).

1953 - During two sessions held this day at The Riverside Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York, Joseph Levin conducts The Ballet Theatre Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record William Schuman's "Undertow, Part 1" at the first session and "Undertow, Part 2" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue both parts on the orchestra's album "William SCHUMAN - Undertow/COPLAND - Billy The Kid" (P-8238).

1958 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is #17 on WMGM's Top 40 Survey in New York City, New York.

1968 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde" with "I Started Loving You Again" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country Singles Chart.

1975 - Merle Haggard's Capitol Records single "Always Wanting You", with "I've Got A Yearning" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1983 - The Motels (featuring Martha Davis on vocals with unlisted others) record the title "Where Do We Go From Here" in 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).

2000 - Neal Matthews, singer with the Capitol Records group The Jordanaires, dies in Nashville, Tennessee at age 70.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1908 - Alfred Lion, record producer and founder of Blue Note Records, is born in Berlin, Germany. Blue Note Records is currently a division of Capitol Music Group and its catalog is currently owned by Capitol's parent company, Universal Music Group.

95 Years Ago Today In 1931 - The Gramophone Company Ltd and The Columbia Gramophone Company Ltd merge and register a holding company - "Electric and Musical Industries Ltd". Alfred Clark (The Gramophone Company) becomes Chairman, and Louis Sterling (The Columbia Company) becomes Managing Director. In 1955 E.M.I., under the helm of then managing director Joseph Lockwood (later chairman Sir Joseph Lockwood), bought a controlling interest in Capitol Records for $3 million dollars, and Glenn Wallichs joined the board of E.M.I.. Lockwood was criticized for paying so much but, within 4 years, Capitol would be worth an estimated $85 million. The E.M.I. Archive Trust's website has a good history section.

1955 - Capitol Records artist Bob Hope's NBC radio program airs its last segment.

1963 - Future Capitol Records artists The Beatles and future Virgin Records artists The Rolling Stones meet for the first time at a Rolling Stones performance at The Crawdaddy Club, in Richmond, England.

1983 - EMI America registers Kate Bush's title "James And The Cold Gun", which was recorded live in England sometime in 1980, and will issue the title on Bush's self-titled mini-LP "Kate Bush" (MLP-19004).

1993 - The Junko Onishio Trio (Junko Onishi on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums), records the titles "Eulogia", "The Shepard", "Summertime", "Congeniality", "Melancholia" without Higgins on drums, "Caravan", "Roz", "Switchin' In", and "Blue Seven" at  the Power Station Studio in New York City, New York at an extended session that will go into April 22, 1993. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on the trio's album "Crusin'" (9-28447-2 on CD).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1985 - Irving Mills, a music publisher, dies in Palm Springs, California at age 91.

APRIL 20, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1908 - Lionel Hampton, a drummer, bandleader, vibraphone player, percussionist, a solo artist on Vogue Records and with Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, is born in Louisville, Kentucky.

1922 - Frank "Hylo" Brown, Jr., a vocalist for Capitol Records artist Bradley Kincaid, leader of his own bluegrass band The Timberliners, and Capitol Records solo artist (1954-1960), is born in River, Johnson County, Kentucky. He would get his nickname "Hylo" from his wide vocal range. Brown would go to be the lead singer for Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and be inducted into the Grand Ol' Opry, the Kentucky Hall of Fame and become the 52nd member of the SPBGMA's Preservation Hall of Greats.

1948 - Craig Frost, the keyboardist for the Capitol Records groups Grand Funk Railroad (aka Grand Funk) and Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, is born in Flint, Michigan. If anyone knows his middle name, please leave a comment.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1938 - During two sessions held this day in Berlin, Germany for Telefunken Records, baritone vocalist Karl Schmitt-Walter, with Ferdinand Leitner on piano, records from Hugo Wolf's "German Lieder" "Das Doc Gemalt All' Deine Reize Waren", "Auf Einer Wanderung", and "Benedeit, Die Selge Mutter" at the first session and Johannes Brahms' "Standohen" and "Minnelied" at the second session. After Capitol Records licenses Telefunken's catalog for release in the United States, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "SCHUBERT - German Lieder (Songs From 'Die Winterreise')/BRAHMS-German Lieder/ HUGO WOLF - German Lieder" (P-8123).

1944 - Jo Stafford's Capitol Records single "I Love You", with "Long Ago And Far Away" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop singles charts.

1948 - Capitol Records releases the children's record "Sparky's Magic Piano".

1952 - Pee Wee Hunt's Capitol Records single "Oh!", with "San" on the flipside, becomes a million seller.

1953 - During two sessions held this day at The Riverside Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York, Joseph Levine conducts The Ballet Theatre Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record Copland's "Billy The Kid, Part 1" at the first session and "Billy The Kid, Part 2" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue the complete piece on the orchestra's album "William SCHUMAN - Undertow/COPLAND - Billy The Kid" (P-8238).

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

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Vocalist and trumpet player Louis Prima and vocalist Keely Smith, with tenor saxophonist Sam Butera & The Witnesses (James "Little Red" Blount Jr. on trombone, William "Willie" McCumber on piano, Jack Marshall on guitar, Amado Rodrigues on bass, and Robert "Bobby" Morris on drums), record the instrumental title "Night Train" and "The Lip" with Prima and Smith on vocals at The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Prima's album "the WILDEST!" (T 755). Here's a live video of "Night Train".

1958 - Laurie London's Capitol Records single "He’s Got the Whole World (In His Hand)", with "Handed Down" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, after becoming the third single to be certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. on March 14, 1958.

1960 - The Kingston Trio record the track "Bad Man's Blunder" for Capitol Records, which is the last single to feature the line up of Dave Guard, Nick Reynold, and Bob Shane. This was also the first time Dave Guard recorded playing the first 12 string guitar made by Gibson Guitars, which was custom built for him.

1963 - The Kingston Trio's Capitol Records single "Reverend Mr. Black", with "One More Round" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #60 and his album "Ramblin' Rose" is #76 on Billboard magazine's Top LPs - 150 Best Sellers - Monaural chart. Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "All Over The World" is #44 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single is nominated for the Grammy for Record Of The Year and his album with The George Shearing Quintet, "Nat 'King' Cole Sings, George Shearing Plays" is nominated for the Best Jazz Performance - Soloist Or Small Group (Instrumental).

1969 - The last original episode of The Beatles' King Features Syndicate cartoon show aired on ABC. Paul Frees voiced John and George and Lance Percival voiced Ringo and Paul..

1973 - The Trend (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Places" and "Papa Was A Music Man" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Places" as a single (Capitol 3725) with "Castaways" (recorded April 23, 1973) on the flipside and "Papa Was A Music Man" as a single (Capitol 3659) with "Home Cookin'" (April 19, 1973) on the flipside.

1974 - Capitol Records releases Paul McCartney & Wing's Apple Records single "Band On The Run", with Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" on the flipside, in the United States.

1974 - Savannah Churchill, a singer, singer for Capitol Records artist Benny Carter and His Orchestra, and a Capitol Records solo artist (1943-1945 with tracks that included "Hurry, Hurry" written by Carter for her and "Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight"), dies in Brooklyn, New York at age 54.

1974 - Grand Funk Railroad's Capitol Records single "The Loco-Motion", with "Destitute & Losin’" on the flipside, enters the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

50 Years Ago Today In 1976 - The Sylvers' Capitol Records single "Boogie Fever", with "Free Style" on the flipside, is certified Gold.

1977 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "Southern Nights", with "William Tell Overture" on the flipside, is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1983 - Sherry Kean, with unlisted others, records the title "Be Mine" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Kean's album "People Talk" (ST-12328).

1985 - Katrina and The Waves' Capitol Records single "Walking On Sunshine", with "Going Down To Liverpool" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

40 Years Ago Today In 1986 - Anne Murray's Capitol Records single "Now And Forever (You And Me)", with "I'd Fall In Love Tonight" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1953 - The Miles Davis All Stars (Miles Davis on trumpet, J. J. Johnson on trombone, Jimmy Heath on tenor saxophone, Gil Coggins on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Blakey on drums) record two takes of "Kelo", two takes of "Enigma", two takes of "Ray's Idea", two takes of "Tempus Fugit", and two takes of "C.T.A." at radio station WOR's studios in New York City, New York. The session was produced by Alfred Lion and Doug Hawkins was the recording engineer. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles and takes on the CD release of Davis' album "Volume 2" (7-81502-2).. Blue Note Records is a division of Capitol Music Group and its catalog is currently owned by Capitol's parent company, Universal Music Group.

1960 - Tommy Guard, son of Capitol Records artist Dave Guard (part of The Kingston Trio), is born.

1960 - Pianist Horace Parlan, along with George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums, records seven tracks, including the title song for his "Us Three" Blue Note Records album, at Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey studio. Blue Note Records is a division of Capitol Music Group and its catalog is currently owned by Capitol's parent company, Universal Music Group.

1980 - Dottie West's United Artists Records single "A Lesson In Leavin'", with "Love Is Easy" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts. United Artists' catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1988 - Drummer Ralph Peterson, with Geri Allen on piano, and Phil Bowler on bass, records the title "Just You, Just Me" at A & R Studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue the title on Peterson's album "Triangular" (B1-92750 on 12" vinyl and 7-92750-2 on CD).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1935 - The first episode of "Your Hit Parade", starring Kay Thompson, Charles Carlyle, Gogo DeLys and Johnny Hanser, is broadcast on NBC Radio. The show will air for the next 24 years and future Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra will later be a featured vocalist on the program.

APRIL 19, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1927 - Don Barbour, a singer in the Capitol Records group The Four Freshmen and, posthumously, a solo Capitol Records artist, is born in Greencastle, Indiana.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1948 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California Jan Garber and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech/Fight Alabama", "Maryland, My Maryland/Hark The Sound Of Tal Heel Voices", "Washington And Lee Swing/Glory To Old Georgia", and "Maine Stein Song/Hail To Old O.S.C." at the first session and "Yale's Boola Song/The Princeton Canon Song", "The Fordham Ram/Hail To Pitt", "On, Brave Old Army Team/Anchors Aweigh", and "Lights Out (University Of California)/Strike Up The Band (UCLA)" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Garber's album "College Medleys" (CD-95 on 10" shellac album, EBF-154 on 7" EP set, and H-154 on 10" LP).

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - General Douglas MacArthur delivers a farewell address before a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Capitol Records will issue two highlights of the speech on the 78 RPM version (DAS-274) and six excerpts on the 10 inch 33 1/3 RPM version (H-274) of the album "General MacArthur Farewell Address".

Here's the entire speech: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four of the entire speech.

1954 - Frank Sinatra, with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra (Harry Edison on trumpet, Tommy Pederson and Ray Sims on trombone, George Roberts on bass trombone, Abe Most and Skeets Herfurt on alto saxophone, Eddie Miller and Babe Russin on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Joe Koch on baritone saxophone, Frank Flynn on vibraphone, Bill Miller on piano, Bob Bain on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Alvin Stoller on drums), records the titles "All Of Me", "Jeepers Creepers", "Get Happy", and "Taking A Chance On Love" for his Capitol Records album "Swing Easy" 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 all the titles on Sinatra's album "Swing Easy" (H-528).

1955 - It's a Tuesday, and Capitol Records album department head, Francis Scott, leaves on the first leg of a trip to London to confer with executives of Electric & Musical Industries, Ltd. on a mutual exchange of masters between the companies.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Actress Grace Kelly, actress and Capitol Records artist (on the motion picture soundtrack to "High Society", and whose duet with Bing Crosby on the single "True Love" earned a Gold record [the last in Crosby's career]), marries Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - During two sessions held this day in The Capitol Tower at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California vocalist and trumpet player Louis Prima, with Keely Smith on background vocals and tenor saxophonist Sam Butera & The Witnesses (James "Little Red" Blount Jr. on trombone, William "Willie" McCumber on piano, Jack Marshall on guitar, Amado Rodrigues on bass, and Robert "Bobby" Morris on drums) records the titles "Medley: Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me)", the instrumental "Body And Soul", "Oh Marie", and "Buona Sera" at the first session between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM and "Jump. Jive An' Wail", "(Nothin's Too Good) For My Baby", "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You", and "Medley: Basin Street Blues/When It's Sleepy Time Down South" at the second session between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM on April 20, 1951. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Prima's album "the Wildest!" (T 755).

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Pianist Lou Busch as Joe "Fingers" Carr, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Spaghetti Rag", "12th Street Rag", and "The Old Piano Roll Blues" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Carr's album "Mister Ragtime" (T 760).

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Vocalist Sonny James, with Bill Simmons on piano, Paul Buskirk on electric mandolin, and possibly Paul Brawley on bass, and William Pecchi on drums, records the titles "Twenty Feet Of Muddy Water" and "All Mixed Up" at the Jim Beck Studio in Dallas, Texas. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 3441).

1957 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Gone", with "Missing Persons" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart.

1958 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is #6 on The Billboard magazine's R&B Best Sellers In Stores and Most Played R&B By Jockeys charts, #28 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart and The Billboard magazine's Top 100 Sides chart, and #29 on The Billboard magazine's Honor Roll Of Hits chart.

1962 - The Beach Boys (David Marks on guitar, Carl Wilson on guitar and vocals, Brian Wilson on bass guitar and vocals, Mike Love on vocals, and Dennis Wilson on drums and vocals) record the tracks "Surfin' Safari", "409", "Lonely Sea", and "Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring" at Western Recorders in Los Angeles, California with Brian Wilson producing the session. Capitol Records will issue "Surfin' Safari" and "409" as the band's first single for the label (Capitol 4777).

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Where Did Everyone Go" is #3 on KTKT 990 AM's Album Chart in Tucson, Arizona.

1963 - Bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Milt Bernhart, Bob Fitzpatrick, Kent Larsen, and Jim Amlotte on trombones, Dave Wheeler on bass trombone, Laurindo Almeida on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, Dee Barton on drums, and Larry Bunker on percussion) and a vocal choir (Evangeline Carmichael, Betty Jane Baker, Loulie Jean Norman, Gloria Wood, Sue Allen, Peggy Clark, Jackie Allen, Sally Sweetland, Jimmy Joyce, Bill Lee, Jay Meyer, Thomas Kenny, Allan Davies, Ian Smith, Charles Schrouder, Bill Stafford, William Cole, and Bernie Parke) and Pete Rugolo conducting his own arrangements, record the titles "Daydreams In The Night (Machito)", "Those Wonderful Things (Lush Waltz)", "Intermission Riff", and "Eager Beaver" at an extended session held in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM with composer Milt Rasking supervising the session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Kenton's album "Artistry In Voices And Brass" (T/ST 2132).

1963 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the titles "John Henry", "Who Can I Count On?", and "Ole 99" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1964 - The Beatles pre-record the tracks "Can't Buy Me Love"; "I Wanna Be Your Man"; "Long Tall Sally"; a medley that used "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me", "From Me To You", "She Loves You", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand"; "Roll Over Beethoven"; "Shout"; and "Twist and Shout" for an Associated Rediffusion UK TV special "Around The Beatles" that will air on May 9, 1964.

1965 - Capitol Records releases The Beatles' single "Ticket To Ride" with "Yes It Is" on the flipside.

1968 - The Sidewalk Skipper Band (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Jeannie At The Circus", "(Would You Believe) It's Raining Flowers In My House", and "Seventeenth Summer" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue "Jeannie At The Circus" and will issue the other two titles together as a single (Capitol 2205).

1973 - Overdubs recordings are started in Los Angeles, California for The Band's titles "I'm Ready (Bring It On Home)", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", and "Ill Wind". After more overdubs are recorded through April 27, 1973, and May 1973, Capitol Records will issue the final mix of "I'm Ready (Bring It On Home" on the group's album "Moondog Matinee" (SW-11214) and has yet to issue either of the other titles.

1973 - The Trend (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Home Cookin'" and "Revival" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Home Cookin'" as a single (Capitol 3659) with "Papa Was A Music Man" (recorded April 20, 1973) on the flipside. No issuing information is listed for "Revival".

1973 - Sir Robert Charles Griggs, with unlisted others, records the titles "Uncle Ned", "Country Soul", "Cling Texas", and "In L.A." in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Griggs' album "The Legend Of Sir Robert Charles Griggs" (ST-11234).

1975 - Grand Funk Railroad's Capitol Records single "Bad Time", with "Good And Evil" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1983 - Sherry Kean, with unlisted others, records the title "You're So Minor" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5368) with "Would You Miss Me?" (recorded December 13, 1983) on the flipside.

1988 - Capitol Records registers in Los Angeles, California the masters for Peter Bardens' titles "Westward Ho", "Black Elk", "Gold", "This Could Be Paradise", "Afterthought", "Speed Of Light", "Whisper In The Wind", "Heartland", "Columbine", and "Gold (Reprise)" and will issue all the titles on Bardens' album "Speed Of Light" (C1-48967 on 12" vinyl and 7-48967-2 on CD).

1990 - Dave Dexter, author, Kansas City reporter for Down Beat magazine (his reviews for Count Basie and His Orchestra got the band noticed), Capitol Records publicity and A&R man (got Peggy Lee to come out of retirement, signed Nellie Lutcher and Julia Lee) and record producer (The History Of Jazz series, New American Jazz all star album, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others), VP of A&R for Capitol Records' International division (created over 500 albums for "The Capitol Of The World" series of world music), remixed the early albums by The Beatles (until Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) for U.S. release, editor and writer for Billboard Magazine, dies in Sherman Oaks, California at age 74. His papers have been donated to the University of Missouri Kansas City and they have a great biography of Dave as part of their Club Kaycee website.

25 Years Ago Today In 2001 - Billy Idol and his band travel to New York City to tape his edition of "VH1 Storytellers". Ten months after the taping, on February 26, 2002, Capitol Records will release "Billy Idol's VH1 Storytellers" featuring 14 songs from the session including three tracks from his days fronting the band Generation X ("Dancing With Myself," "Kiss Me Deadly," "Ready Steady Go") to his 1983 solo hit, "White Wedding" and Idol's covers of Tommy James & The Shondell's "Mony, Mony" and the Doors' "L.A. Woman".

15 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Roy Edward "Eddie" Burris, a drummer for Capitol Records artist Merle Haggard's band The Strangers who co-wrote the 1969 song "Okie From Muskogee" with Haggard, dies at age 79 of heart-related problems at a Tulsa, Oklahoma hospital.

15 Years Ago Today In 2011 - Vanguard/Capitol Records releases Kimberly Caldwell's debut album "Without Regret".

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1968 - Pianist Andrew Hill, with Woody Shaw on trumpet, Frank Mitchell on tenor saxophone, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, Reggie Workman on bass, and Idris Muhammad (aka Leo Morris) on drums, records the titles "Bayou Red", "Venture Inward" without Ponder on guitar, "Soul Special", "MC", and "Love Nocture" also without Ponder on guitar in recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on the CD release of Hill's album "Grass Roots" (5-22672-2) and "Soul Special" in the two-LP multi-artist compilation album "Blue Note Rare Grooves" (B1-35636).

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Sheena Easton's EMI America single "Morning Train (Nine to Five)", with "Calm Before The Storm" on the flipside, is #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. EMI America's catalog is currently owned by Capitol Music Group's parent company, Universal Music Group.

1983 - Michael Murphey recorded the title "Disenchantment" in an unlisted studio for Liberty Records. EMI America will reissue the title on Murphey's compilation album "Best Of Michael Martin Murphey" (ST-17143 on 12" vinyl and 7-46556-2 on CD).

1988 - The Ralph Peterson Quintet (Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Steve Wilson on alto saxohone, (ss-1,as) Geri Allen on piano, Phil Bowler on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums) record the titles "Enemy Within", "Monief" with Wilson on soprano saxophone, "The Short End Of The Stick", "Soweto 6", "Viola's Dance" again with Wilson on soprano saxophone, and "Bebopskerony" at A & R Studios in New York City, New York, in a session that ended early the next day on April 20, 1988, for Somethin' Else Records. Blue Note will issue all the titles on the quintet's album "V" (B1-91730 on 12" vinyl and 7-91730-2 on CD).

1993 - At sessions that start today and go until April 23, 1993 at Sound On Sound studio in New York City, New York, guitarist Kevin Eubanks, with Dave Holland on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums, records the titles "Landing" and "Contact" with the addition of Robin Eubanks on trombone and Kent Jordan on alto flute, "Union" with Robin Jordan on trombone, and "Spirit Talk" with Kent Jordan on alto flute at the first session, the titles "Earth Party", ""Going Outside with Kent Jordan on alto flute, and "Living" with Robin Eubanks on trombone and Kent Jordan on alto flute at the second session, and the titles "Inside" with Robin Eubanks on trombone and "Journey" at the third session. Blue Note Records will lease all the masters from Kevin Eubanks and will issue all the titles on Eubank's CD "Spirit Talk" (7-89286-2).

1993 - Bob Belden and Tim Hagans, with unlisted others, record the title "Venus De Milo" at an unlisted studio. Blue Note Records will issue the title on the CD "Blue Note Plays Prince" (8-6382602).

1995 - The Georgia legislature declares April 19, 1995 to be Johnny Mercer Day in the state for Mercer's "outstanding contributions to the field of music". Johnny Mercer is a co-founder of Capitol Records.