MAY 30, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1903 - Alex J. Kramer, a vocal coach and composer (best known for co-writing Margaret Whiting's  Capitol Records hit "Far Away Places", with lyrics by his wife, Joan Whitney as well as Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford, and The Pied Pipers' Capitol Records hit "Candy" with lyrics by Joan Whitney and Mack David) is born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

1908 - Mel Blanc, cartoon voice artist, radio and television performer, and Capitol Records artist, is born Melvin Jerome Blank in San Francisco, California.

1909 - Benny Goodman, a clarinetist, singer, composer, bandleader, and Capitol Records artist from January 1947 to 1964 is born Benjamin David Goodman in the Maxwell Street ghetto of Chicago, Illinois.

115 Years Ago Today In 1911 (some listings give 1914) - Bobby Sherwood, trumpet, trombone, guitar and piano player, bandleader, Capitol Records artist as Bobby Sherwood and His Orchestra, is born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sherwood's Capitol Records single "The Elks' Parade", with "I Don't Know Why" on the flipside, was Capitol's seventh single, part of the label's first release schedule, and one of the top three hits the label had in its first year after "Strip Polka" and "Cow Cow Boogie". If anyone knows for sure which year Sherwood was born, please leave a comment.

1945 - Meredith MacRae, motion picture and television actress, daughter of future Capitol Records artists Gordon and Sheila MacRae, and a Capitol (1968) and Imperial Records artist, is born in Houston, Texas.

1969 - Spragga Benz, dancehall DJ, and Capitol Records artist (1995), is born Carlton Grant in Kingston, Jamaica.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

85 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Stan Kenton and his Orchestra make their debut at the Rendezvous Ballroom on Balboa Island, California.

1953 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "April In Portugal" is #2 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Pretend" is #9, Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Ruby" (theme from the movie "Ruby Gentry" is #12, and Jane Froman (with orchestra conducted by Sid Feller)'s Capitol Records single "I Believe" is #13. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Pretend" is #7 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles and The Billboard magazine's Most Played In Juke Boxes charts, #11 on The Billboard magazine's Most Played By Jockeys chart. Cole's Capitol Records single "My Flaming Heart" debuts at #15, its flipside, "I Am In Love" debuts at #36, and Cole's single "Can't I" is #41 also on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart.

1953 - Vocalist Dorothy Shay, with Russ Black directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Sagebrush Sadie", "Don't You Think You Should've Mentioned It Before?", "If It Wasn't For Your Father", "Why Shore", and "Howlinest, Hootinest Gal" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Shay's album "The Park Avenue Hillbillie" (EBF-444 in a 7" EP set and H-444 on 10" vinyl) and "Why Shore" also as a single (Capitol 2597 on 10" shellac and F2597 on 7" vinyl) with "Sugarplum Kisses And Vinegar Tears" (recorded May 28, 1953) on the flipside.

1958 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Jack Marshall's Music (Jack Marshall directing Uan Rasey, Pete Candoli, and Mannie Klein on trumpets, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Milt Bernhart on trombone, Justin Gordon and George Smith on reeds, Joe Harnell on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), records the titles "Alone Together", "It's A Wonderful World", and "I'm Beginning To See The Light" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Miss Lee's album "Things Are Swingin'" (T/ST 1049).

1962 - Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman turns 53 and leads the first American Jazz band to play in the Soviet Union on the first of six dates.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - The Beatles' Capitol Records single "Paperback Writer", with "Rain" on the flipside, is released in the U.S.

1967 - Claude Rains, Broadway, motion picture, and radio actor and Capitol Records artist ("Bible Stories" series of children's records), dies at age 77 in Laconia, New Hampshire and is later interred in the Red Hill Cemetery, Moultonborough, New Hampshire.

1978 - King Of Hearts (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Ridin' On", "Love For Hire", and "Fancy Dancer" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Close But No Guitar" (SW-11848).

1983 - Industry (lineup unlisted) records the title "Communication" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title on the group's album "Stranger To Stranger" (ST-12316) and will also issue the title as a single (Capitol 5268) with "State Of The Nation" (recorded May 27, 1983) on the flipside.

1989 - Dave Coleman, a drummer in Capitol Records group Freddie Slack and His Orchestra, dies in Seattle, Washington at age 65.

1995 - Capitol Records, as part of its "Spotlight On Great Ladies Of Song" series releases separate compilations of greatest hits featuring Nancy Wilson and June Christy.


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1919 - Joe Gaines, lead vocalist with the Imperial Records group The Hawks, is born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1922 - Future Capitol Records artist "Smilin’" Ed McConnell debuts on radio, smiling and playing his banjo.

1958 - Marie Fredriksson, a singer, songwriter, and member of the EMI America Records duo Roxette, is born in Östra-Ljungby, Sweden.

1969 - The Beatles' Apple Records single "The Ballad of John and Yoko", with "Old Brown Shoe" on the flipside, is released in the U.K.

1973 - Vocalist Marlena Shaw, with Derek Smith on clavichord, electric piano, and piano, Cornell Dupree, Carl Lynch, Hugh McCracken, and Gene Bertoncini on guitars, Wilbur Bascomb on electric bass, Ron Carter on bass, Grady Tate, Herbie Lovelle, and Charles Collins on drums, Gene Bianco on harp (possibly harmonica), George Jenkins and George Devens on percusssion, and Arthur Jenkins on congas, records the titles "Easy Evil", "The Laughter And The Tears", "The Feeling's Good", "I Just Don't Want To Be Loneley", "Waterfall", and "Time For Me To Go" at A & R Studios in New York City, New York. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on Miss Shaw's album "From The Depths Of My Soul" (BN-LA143-F).

40 Years Ago In 1986 - Hank Mobley, tenor saxophonist and Blue Note Records artist, dies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at age 55.

2003 - Mickie Most (born Michael Peter Hayes) founder of RAK Records (whose catalog was bought by EMI in 1983), record producer, with a string of Number 1 hit singles with his own label and for acts such as The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Donovan and Hot Chocolate, father of Calvin Hayes (member of the Virgin Records group Johnny Hates Jazz), dies of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer, in his home in London, England at age 64.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1899 - Irving Grant Thalberg, a motion picture producer and the head of production for both Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1954 - Bing Crosby's last original show for CBS Radio is broadcast with Bing's sons Gary and Lindsay as guests.

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - My wife, Kristine Heimback-Nielsen, is born Kristine Ann Heimback in Glendale, Arizona. Without her love, support and friendship, I would not be possible.

1989 - The 33 foot high "Goddess of Democracy" statue is unveiled in Tiananmen Square, China by student demonstrators.

MAY 29, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1903 - Bob Hope, a comedian, Broadway, motion picture, radio and television actor, and Capitol Records recording artist is born Leslie Towns Hope in Eltham, England, a suburb of London.

1909 - Dick Stabile, an alto saxophonist and bandleader of the Capitol Records group Dick Stabile and His Orchestra which released solo recordings and was the studio orchestra for many Dean Martin recordings, is born in Newark, New Jersey.

85 Years Ago Today In 1941 - Roy Crewsdon, a guitarist with the Tower Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) group Freddie and The Dreamers, is born.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1945 - Carl Kress records the tracks "The Goose From Gander (Squeeze Box Swing)" and "Jazz In G" as guitar solos at the WMCA studios in New York City, New York.

1945 - Cootie Williams and His Orchestra (Cootie Williams, E. V. Perry, George Treadwell, Billy Ford, and Clarence "Gene" Redd on trumpet; Ed Burke, Dan Logan, and Bob Horton on trombone; Rupert Cole and Eddie Vinson on alto saxophone; Sam Taylor and Lee Pope on tenor saxophone; George Favors on baritone saxophone; Arnold Jarvis on piano; Carl Pruitt on bass; and Sylvester Payne on drums), record the tracks "Mood For Coot", "Juice Head Baby" with vocal by Eddie Vinson, "Salt Lake City Bounce" and "Jitterbug Serenade" with an unknown vocalist, possibly Cootie Williams.

1947 - The Hollywood Hucksters (Benny Goodman on clarinet; Red Norvo on xylophone; Benny Carter on alto saxophone; Charlie Shavers on trumpet; Dave Cavanaugh on tenor saxophone; Joe Koch on baritone saxophone; Jimmy Rowles on piano; Irving Ashby on guitar; Red Callendar on bass; and Lee Young on drums), with producer Dave Dexter, Jr., record the tracks "I Apologize", "Them There Eyes", and "Happy Blues" (with vocals by Stan Kenton and Benny Goodman).

1948 - The King Cole Trio (with orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol)'s Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" (with "Lost April" on the flipside) is still #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Peggy Lee (with Dave Barbour and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Mañana" (with "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" on the flipside) is #10, and The Sportsmen's a capella Capitol Records single "You Can't Be True, Dear" (with "Toolie Oolie Doolie" on the flipside) is #18.

75 Years Ago Today In 1951 - Fanny Brice (born Fania Borach), comedienne, Broadway, motion picture and radio actor, and Capitol Records artist (as Baby Snooks), dies at age 59 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood, California from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her ashes were interred in the Chapel Mausoleum at the Jewish Home of Peace Cemetery in East Los Angeles, California. A half-century later, at the time of Brice's daughter Frances's death in 1992, Fanny Brice's ashes were reinterred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles, some 20 miles west of her original interment place. Today the ashes, and those of her daughter, are in an outdoor pavilion. Her life story will be turned into the Broadway musical "Funny Girl" whose original Broadway cast album will be released by Capitol Records, marking the only time Barbra Streisand would record for the label.

1953 - During a split session held this day in Los Angeles, California, Harry Kari (aka Harry Stewart) and His Six Saki Sippers (aka Jimmy Duffy and His Scandahoovians) record "The Love Bug Will Bite You (If You Don't Watch Out)" and "Nishimoto At The Bat" then Yogi Yorgesson (aka Harry Stewart again), with Johnny Duffy and His Scandahoovians (lineup unlisted) and vocalist Gege Pearson, records the titels "Come Straight Home Tonight" and "Interested In Love". Capitol Records will issue "The Love Bug Will Bite You (If You Don't Watch Out)" and "Nishimoto At The Bat" together as a single (Capitol 2516 on 10" shellac and F2516 on 7" vinyl) and "Come Straight Home Tonight" and "Interested In Love" together as a single (Capitol 2552 on 10" shellac and F2552 on 7" vinyl).

1954 - Kay Starr (with orchestra conducted by Harold Mooney)'s Capitol Records single "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" (with "The Man Upstairs" on the flip side which is on the same chart at #10) is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Young At Heart" (with "Take A Chance" on the flip side) is #6, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Answer Me, My Love" (with "Why?" on the flip side) is #11,

1958 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Jules Chaikin, Billy Catalano, Don Fagerquist, and Phil Gilbert on trumpets, Archie Le Coque, Kent Larsen, Don Reed, and Jim Amlotte on trombones, Ken Shroyer on bass trombone, Lennie Niehaus on alto saxophone, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophone, Bill Robinson and Steve Perlow on baritone saxophone, Red Kelly on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums) record the titles "We'll Be Together Again", "A Sunday Kind Of Love", "The Things We Did Last Summer", and "Ill Wind" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Capitol Records will reject all the takes of all the titles recorded at this session. New takes will be recorded on June 23, 1958 of which Capitol will issue "We'll Be Together Again", "A Sunday Kind Of Love", and "The Things We Did Last Summer" on Kenton's album "The Ballad Style Of Stan Kenton And His Orchestra" (T/ST 1068) and all the new takes of all the titles on the CD release of the album (8-56688-2).

1958 - Vocalist Molly Bee, with unlisted others, records the titles "What's The Reason I'm Not Pleasing You", "(I Wanng Go Where You Go) Then I'll Be Happy", "You Try Somebody Else", and "After You've Gone" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "What's The Reason I'm Not Pleasing You", "(I Wanng Go Where You Go) Then I'll Be Happy", and "You Try Somebody Else" on Bee's album "" (T 1097), has yet to issue the take of "After You've Gone" recorded at this session but will issue a new take of the title recorded on June 4, 1958 as a single (Capitol F4064) with "Five Points of A Star" (recorded October 20, 1957) on the flipside.

1958 - During two session held this day at The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California with producer Dave Cavanaugh, vocalist Frank Sinatra, with Felix Slatkin conducting the orchestra (Tommy Pederson and Milt Bernhart on trombones, Ken Shroyer on bass trombone, Vincent De Rosa, James Decker, and John Cave on French horns, Arthur Gleghorn and Harry Klee on flutes, Mitchell Lurie and Mahlon Clark on clarinets, Champ Webb and Arnold Koblentz on oboes, Charles Butler and Chuck Gentry on bass clarinets, Jack Marsh and Don Christlieb on bassoons, Bill Miller and Harry Sukman on pianos, Al Viola on guitar, Mike Rubin and Joe Comfort on bass, Frank Flynn and Bill Richmond on percussion, Kathryn Julye on harp, Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Arnold Belnick, David Frisina, James Getzoff, Henry Hill, Daniel Karpilowsky, Erno Neufeld, Paul Shure, and Marshall Sosson on violins, Alvin Dinkin, Stanley Harris, Paul Robyn, and David Sterkin on violas, and James Arkatov, Armand Kaproff, Kurt Reher, and Eleanor Slatkin on cellos), records the title "Monique (Song From 'Kings Go Forth')" with the addition of Dominic Frontiere on accordion and using an arrangement by Sinatra, and, with arrangements by Nelson Riddle, the titles "Ebb Tide", "Angel Eyes", and "Spring Is Here" at the first session between 2:00 and 5:00 PM then, without Harry Sukman on piano and using arrangements by Nelson Riddle, the titles "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry", "Only The Lonely", three incomplete takes of "Lush Life", and the title "Willow Weep For Me" at the second session between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Monique (Song From 'Kings Go Forth')" as a single (Capitol F4003) with "Same Old Song And Dance" (recorded March 3, 1958) on the flipside and also on the album "Sinatra Sings.. Of Love And Things" (W/SW 1729), "Ebb Tide", "Angel Eyes", "Spring Is Here", "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry", "Only The Lonely", and "Willow Weep For Me" on Sinatra's album "Only The Lonely" (W 1053). CD Archives will issue the three incomplete takes of "Lush Life" on CD (AA-202).

1959 - Capitol Records artists Peggy Lee and The George Shearing Quintet give a live performance at the Second National Disc Jockey Convention held at The Americana Hotel in Miami, Florida. The show is recorded, but problems with the audio will lead to the set being re-recorded a few days later at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California and passed for live when the tracks were released as the album "Beauty And The Beat!" by Capitol Records.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #15 on WMCA's Top Twenty-Five chart in New York City, New York.

1963 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Andrews Gospel Singers (Sylvia Lois Andrews on lead vocals, Paula Marie Andrews, Flora Daggao, Donna Daggao, and Norma J. King on harmony vocals, and Ola Jean Andrews also on lead vocals, piano and organ), with an unlisted drummer, record the titles "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho", "Walk All Over God's Heaven", and "He Satisfies" at the first session and the titles "He's A Mighty God" and "If You Miss Me Here" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Open Your Heart" (T/ST 1959).

1963 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Max Bennett conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Got That Magic" and "A Doodlin' Song" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California with producer Dave Cavanaugh. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 5001), "Got That Magic" also on Lee's album "In Love Again!" (T/ST 1969), and "A Doodlin' Song" also on Lee's album "Extra Special!" (T/ST 2732).

1963 - Glen Gray conducts The Casa Loma Orchestra (listed as similar to Shorty Sherock, Conrad Gozzo, Mannie Klein, and Joe Graves on trumpets, Milt Bernhart, Joe Howard, and Ed Kusby on trombones, George Roberts on bass trombone, Abe Most on clarinet and alto saxophone, Skeets Herfurt also on alto saxophone, Plas Johnson and Justin Gordon on tenor saxophones, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, Ray Sherman on piano, Jack Marshall on guitar, Mike Rubin on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums) as they record the titles "Desafinado (In The Style Of Stan Kenton)", "Days Of Wine And Roses (In The Style Of Les Brown)", and "Alley Cat (In The Style Of Benny Goodman's 'Stompin' At The Savoy')" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra's album "The Sounds of The Great Bands, Volume 7: Today's Best" (T/ST 1938).

1965 - The Beach Boy's Capitol Records single "Help Me, Rhonda", with "Kiss Me, Baby" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1967 - Capitol Records Canada releases Lyn and Graham McCarthy's album "Bitter And Sweet".

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) record the titles "The War Goes On" and "Hight All The Time" in Los Angeles, California with producer Nick Venet. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's self-titled album "Mad River" (ST 2985) and "High All The Time" also as a single (Capitol 2310) with "Amphetamin Gazelle" (recorded April 25, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded for Bobbie Gentry's titles "Here, There And Everywhere", "Papa's Medicine Show", and "Eleanor Rigby". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Gentry's album "Local Gentry" (ST 2964).

1968 - Vocalist Bettye Swann, with unlisted others, records a new take of the title "I'm "Lonely For You" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the take from this session as a single (Capitol 2263) with ""My Heart Is Closed For The Season" (recorded May 15, 1968) on the flipside and also on Swann's album "The Soul View Now!" (ST-190).

1968 - Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, with Harry Edison on trumpet, Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Georgie Auld on tenor saxophone, Hank Jones on piano, John Collins on guitar, Bob West on electric bass, and Panama Francis on drums using arrangements by Benny Carter, records the titles "Medley: If I Give My Heart To You/Once In A While/Ebb Tide (instrumental)/The Lamp Is Low/Where Are You/Thinking Of You" and "Medley: My Mother's Eyes/Try A Little Tenderness/I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (instrumenta)/Everything I Have Is Yours/I Never Knew/Goodbye My Love" at an extended session in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 12:00 AM on June 3, 1968 with producer Dave Dexter, Jr.

1968 - The Four King Cousins (lineup unlisted) record the titles "California Nights", "God Only Knows", and "Love So Fine" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Introducing The Four King Cousins" (ST 2990).

1968 - Artie Shaw directs a big band (which includes Bernie Privin and Mel Davis on trumpets, Buddy Morrow on trombones, Walt Levinsky on clarinet, Toots Mondello on alto saxophone, Al Klink and Billy Slapin on tenor saxophone, Bernie Leighton on piano, and Don Lamond on drums) as they record the titles "Back Bay Shuffle", "Nightmare", "It Had To Be You", "Zigeuner", and "Jungle Drums (Canto Karabali)" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Artie Shaw Recreates His Great '38 Band" (ST 2992).

1989 - John Cipollina, guitarist with the Capitol Records band Quicksilver Messenger Service, dies of congenital emphysema at age 45 in San Francisco, California. There's a great biographical article by William Ruhlmann that was in the November 3, 1989 issue of Goldmine magazine.


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Travelin' Man" is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Ernie K-Doe's Minit Records single "Mother-In-Law" is #5, Gene McDaniels' Liberty Records single "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" is #8, The Fleetwoods' Dolton Records single "Tragedy" is #10, Ricky Nelson's Imperial Records single "Hello Mary Lou" is #16, Steve Lawrence's United Artists Records single "Portrait Of My Love" is #18, and Al Caiola and His Orchestra's United Artists Records single "Bonanza" is #31. Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company, currently owns the catalogs of Imperial, Minit, Liberty, Dolton, and United Artists Records.

1963 - Vocalist Sarah Vaughan, with Carmell Jones on piano, Teddy Edwards on tenor saxophone, Ernie Freeman on organ, John Collins on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass, and Milt Turner on drums using arrangements by Gerald Wilson, records the titels "'Round Midnight" at United Studios on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California for Roulette Records. After E.M.I. acquires Roulette's catalog, Blue Note Records will issue the title on the three-CD multi-artist compilation "Blue Note - A Story Of Jazz - 'Round Midnight" (7-96583-2).

1973 - Mike Oldfield's Virgin Records album "Tubular Bells" is released in the United States.

1975 - Melanie Brown (aka Mel B, aka Scary Spice), a singer with the Virgin Records group Spice Girls, is born Melanie Janine Brown in Leeds, England.

1989 - Danielle Riley Keough, daughter of Capitol Records artist Lisa Marie Presley, is born.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1917 - Future president John Fitzgerald Kennedy is born in Brookline, Massachusetts. Capitol Records would release a tribute soundtrack album for the documentary "Years Of Lightning, Day Of Drums" (Capitol T 2486) in 1966.

1929 - Janet Gaynor leaves her hand and footprints in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California during its 14th ceremony.

1942 - Bing Crosby, with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers, records the track "White Christmas" for Decca Records after introducing it in the motion picture "Holiday Inn" and featuring it on his radio shows. The single will become the best selling record of all time.

1942 - Warner Brothers Pictures releases "Yankee Doodle Dandy".

MAY 28, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1910 - T-Bone Walker, guitarist and Capitol and Imperial Records artist, is born Aaron Thibeaux Walker in Linden, Texas and would later become a major influence on many Blues guitarists including a very young Steve Miller when Walker visited Miller's father's home recording studio for impromptu sessions.

1912 - Dave Barbour, guitarist, composer, arranger, band leader and husband of Capitol Records artist Peggy Lee, is born David Michael Barbour in Flushing, New York.

1928 - Arno Marsh, a tenor saxophone player with Capitol Records group Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, is born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

1944 - Billy Vera, singer (as a solo artist, in a duo with Judy Clay, and with the bands Resolution and Billy And The Beaters), songwriter, actor, voice over artist, music historian, 45 rpm collector, and producer of Capitol Records' "From The Vaults" series and writer of the liner notes for Mosaic Records' release of Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer's compilation CD "Mosaic Select: Johnny Mercer", is born William Patrick McCord in Riverside, California and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the north east corner of Vine and Yucca, right outside The Capitol Tower's Gogerty Building extension. Billy wrote me to correct an earlier post I made saying "The note writer on my first Atlantic LP wrote that my real name is William McCord, Jr., and the mistake has been continued ever since. Actually, my father and I have different middle names, which means I'm not a 'Jr. ... My full name is William Patrick McCord, born in Riverside, CA [where his father served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed at March Field], not San Diego, as that same LP said. My mom [Ann Ryan] was one of The Ray Charles Singers on the Perry Como Show during the '50s and sang on a number of his hits. My dad [William J. "Bill" McCord] was an announcer on NBC in New York for almost 30 years [where he was the voice on such TV Quiz shows as "Tic Tac Dough" and "Twenty-One"], so there's a show biz background."

1968 - Kylie Minogue, singer, television and motion picture actress, and Capitol Records artist, is born in Melbourne, Australia.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - On her husband's, (Dave Barbour) 34th birthday, vocalist Peggy Lee records "Can't Help Lovin' That Man", "Mean To Me", "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)", and "Summertime" for Capitol Records transcription service with Buddy Cole's Four Of A Kind (Dave Barbour on guitar, Philip Stephens on bass, Buddy Cole on piano, celeste and organ, and Tom Romersa on drums) at Radio Recorders studios at 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California with engineer John Palladino.

1948 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy" is #1 on The Billboard magazine's Best-Selling Popular Retail Records chart, #2 on the magazine's Most-Played Juke Box Records and Most-Played Juke Box Race Records charts, and #3 on the magazine's Best Selling Retail Race Records chart. Also, Cole's single "A Boy From Texas" is #6 on The Billboard magazine's The Disk Jockeys Pick chart in its Record Possibilities section.

1949 - Mel Tormé (with orchestra conducted by Pete Rugolo)'s Capitol Records single "Again" is #8 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer's Capitol Records single "Baby It's Cold Outside" is #10, Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "'A' You're Adorable" is #11, Mel Tormé (with orchestra conducted  by Pete Rugalo)'s Capitol Records single "Careless Hands" is #16, and Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Need You" is #18.

1953 - Bob Graettinger conducts his own arrangements to Stan Kenton's Orchestra (Bud Shank on alto saxophone and flute, Herb Geller also on alto saxophone, Bob Cooper and Bart Caldarell on tenor saxophones, clarinets, and bassoons, and John Rotella on baritone saxophone) as they record Graettinger's compositions "A Thought" with the addition of John Graas on French horn and "Some Saxophones" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Stan Kenton's album "This Modern World" (EBF-460 on two 7" EP set and H/L-460 on 10" LP).

1953 - Vocalist Dorothy Shay with Russ Black directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Sugarplum Kisses And Vinegar Tears", "Television's Tough On Love", and "A Little Western Town Called Beverly Hills" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Shay's album "Park Avenue Hillbilly" (EBF-444 in a two 7" EP set and H-444 on 10" LP) and "Sugarplum Kisses And Vinegar Tears" also as a single (Capitol 2597 on 10" shellac and F2957 on 7" vinyl) with "Why Shore" (recorded May 30, 1953) on the flipside.

1955 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Unchained Melody" is #2 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s single "A Blossom Fell" and it's flip side "If I May" (with The Four Knights and Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) are #6, Frank Sinatra (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Learin' The Blues" is #10, Tennessee Ernie Ford (with Cliffie Stone's Band)'s Capitol Records single "The Ballad Of Davy Crocket" is #11, and Nat "King" Cole (with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra)'s "Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup" is #18.

1955 - Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records album "In The Wee Small Hours" enters the top 20 of Billboard's album chart beginning a top 20 album career that would last, in the U.S., for next 39 years and 7 months until his album "Duets" exited the top 20 on December 31, 1994.

1958 - The Frank Moore Four (Frank Moore on accordion and unlisted tenor saxophone, bass, and drums players) record the titles "There Will Never Be Another You", "Flamingo", and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "The Frank Moore Four" (T 1127).

1958 - Trumpet player and bandleader Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Pete Candoli, Conrad Gozzo, Jack Laubach, and Jack Holman on trumpets, Milt Bernhart, Lew McCreary, Jimmy Priddy, and Abe Lincoln on trombones, Med Flory and Gus Bivona on clarinets and alto saxophones, Georgie Auld and Plas Johnson on tenor saxophones, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Buddy Cole on piano, Bob Bain and Al Hendrickson on guitars, Don Simpson on bass, and Ray Martinez on drums), with vocal group The Skyliners (lineup unlisted) and using arrangements by Don Simpson, record the titles "Anita", "There He Goes", "Danny Boy", "Heaven Only Knows", and "Still Wind" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles. Aero Space Records will issue "Heaven Only Knows" on the album "Ray Anthony" (RA 1002) and on the multi-album compilation CD "Dream Dancing In Hawaii / Dream Dancing Memories" RACD1026).

1958 - Vocalist Molly Bee, with unlisted others, records the titles "Candy Kisses", "Cheatin' On Me", and "The Glory Of Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Bee's album "Young Romance" (T 1097).

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls", with "Congratulations" on the flipside, is #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #21 on WABC's Silver Dollar Sound Survey in New York City, New York.

1963 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Andrews Gospel Singers (Sylvia Lois Andrews on lead vocals, with Paula Marie Andrews, Flora Daggao, Donna Daggao, and Norma J. King on harmony vocals, and Ola Jean Andrews on lead vocals, piano, and organ), with an unlisted drummer, record the titles "Does Jesus Care", "The Miracle", and "Soon All Will Be Done" at the first session and the titles "I Won't Turn Back", "Move Up A Little Higher", and "Open Your Heart" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "Move Up A Little Higher" which it has yet to issue, on the group's album "Open Your Heart" (T/ST 1959) and "I Won't Turn Back" also as a single (Capitol 4995) with "He Is A Mighty God" (edited from a take recorded on March 29, 1963) on the flipside.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds" enters Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart where it will spend the next 39 weeks.

1967 - Wynn Stewart's Capitol Records single "It's Such A Pretty World Today", with "Ol' What's Her Name" on the flipside, is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded for Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell's titles "Let It Be Me", "Little Green Apples", and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Gentry and Campbell's album "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" (ST 2928).

1968 - Norma Tanega, with unlisted others, records the titles "Night", "Snow People", "Winters Gold", and "Snow Flower" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. No issuing information is listed.

1968 - Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, with Harry Edison on trumpet, Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Georgie Auld on tenor saxophone, Hank Jones on piano, John Collins on guitar, Bob West on electric bass, and Panama Francis on drums and using arrangements by Benny Carter, records the titles "Medley: No Regrets/I've Got A Feeling You're Fooling/Don't Blame Me (instrumental)/Deep Purple/Rain/You're A Sweetheart" and "Medley: On Green Dolphin Street/How Am I To Know/Just Friends (instrumental)/I Cried For You/Seems Like Old Times/You Stepped Out Of A Dream" at an extended session in Los Angeles, California between 8:00PM and 12:00 AM on May 29, 1968, with producer Dave Dexter, Jr. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Fitzgerald's album "30 By Ella" (ST 2960).

1968 - Vocalist Buck Owens and His Buckaroos (lineup unlisted), with vocalist Buddy Alan, record the titles "Christmas Time Is Near", "Tomorrow Is Christmas Day" and "Christmas Schottische" at The Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Owen's album "Christmas Shopping" (ST 2977).

1968 - The Beach Boys (lineup unlisted) record vocal overdubs in Los Angeles, California onto instrumental tracks recorded on May 27, 1968 for the title "We're Together Again". Even after additional overdubs are recorded on May 31, 1968, Capitol Records has yet to issue the title.

1968 - The Four King Cousins (lineup unlisted), with unlisted others, record the titles "Good Day Sunshine", "I Wanna Be Free", "This Girl's In Love With You", and 'Let's Get Away From It All" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Introducing The Four King Cousins" (ST 2990).

1973 - Vocalist Helen Reddy, with unlisted others, records the titles "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)", "A Bit O.K.", and "Until It's Time For You To Go" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded at the same session, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Reddy's album "Long Hard Climb" (SMAS-11213) and "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" also as a single (Capitol 3768) with "Old Fashioned Way" (recorded May 8, 1973) on the flipside.

1973 - Capitol Records will register the master it purchased for Jack Lebsock's title "A World That Cannot See" which was produced by Buck Owens Enterprises and recorded in The Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California and issue the title as a single (Capitol 3665) with "For Lovers Only" (registered October 26, 1972) on the flipside. 

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

20 Years Ago Today In 2006 - Dierks Bentley's Liberty Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records Nashville) single "Settle For A Slowdown" is #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1943 - Tony Mansfield, a producer, songwriter and drummer in the bands Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas (Parlophone), New Musik (CBS/Sony) and Naked Eyes (EMI America/EMI/Parlophone), is born Anthony Bookbinder, in Salford, England.

1968 - Guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett, with unlisted others, records the title "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)" in E.M.I's Abbey Road Studios in London, England with producer Pete Jenner. After overdubs are added June 8, 1968, and the final mix is done by Gareth Cousins on April 25, 1969, Harvest Records with issue the title in England on Barrett's album "Opel" (SHSP 4126) and Capitol Records will issue the title in the United States on the CD release of "Opel" (7-91206-2).

1993 - Phil Perry and Everette Harp, with unlisted others, record the title "Diamond And Pearls" in an unlisted studio. Blue Note will issue the title on the multi-artist compilation CD "Blue Note Plays Prince (8-63826-2 in the United States and 8-63827-2 in England).

2004 - Vance "Pinto" Colvig is inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame as the original Bozo.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1943 - Monty Woolley, helped by Jeanne Crain and Jo-Carroll Dennison, places his hand, foot and beard prints in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California during ceremony #69

MAY 27, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

115 Years Ago Today In 1911 - Vincent Price, Broadway, motion picture and television actor and Capitol Records recording artist (his "Witchcraft and Magic: An Adventure In Demonology" album had a gatefold cover and accompanying booklet, and I have a 16mm copy of a scenes from a publicity event Capitol held at The Magic Castle to promote the album), is born Vincent Leonard Price Jr. in St. Louis, Missouri. The soundtrack to his movie "Dr. Goldfoot & The Girl Bombs" was released by Tower Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records.

1927 - Ralph R. Carmichael, and arranger who worked with Capitol Records artist Nat "King" Cole is born in Quincy, Florida.

1927 - Mac Wiseman, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, disc jockey and Capitol Records artist (1962), is born Malcolm B. Wiseman in Crimora (near Waynesboro), Virginia.

1939 - Don Williams, a singer and Capitol Records artist (1986-1989), is born Donald Ray Williams in Floydada, Texas.

1943 - Cilla Black, a singer, and Capitol Records artist, is born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool, England.

1958 - Neil Finn, a singer and songwriter with the Capitol Records band Crowded House, as well as the band Split Enz, is born Neil Mullane Finn in Te Awamutu, New Zealand.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1942 - It's a Wednesday and George G. DeSylva, John Mercer, and Glenn E. Wallichs appear before Los Angeles County and California state Notary Public Leta Niccum again to apply for a Certificate of Amendment to change the name of the corporation from Liberty Records to Capitol Records, Inc. The amendment will be filed with the state of California on the following Monday, June 1, 1942.

1944 - Jo Stafford (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Long Ago (And Far Away)" is #7 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Andy Russell (with orchestra conducted by Al Sack)'s Capitol Records single "Amor" is tied for #10 with Jo Stafford (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "I Love You".

1948 - During three sessions held in Los Angeles, California for The Capitol Records Transcription Service, Barclay Allen, with unlisted others, records four unlisted titles at each session. No issuing information is listed for any of the titles.

1950 - Future Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra makes his TV debut when he appears on NBC-TV’s "Star-Spangled Review" with Capitol Records artist Bob Hope.

1950 - Kay Starr (with orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol)'s Capitol Records single "Hoop-Dee-Doo" debuts at #14 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1953 - Electric guitarist "Ivy" Jimmy Bryant and steel guitarist Wesley "Speedy" West, with Billy Liebert on piano and accordion, Billy Strange on rhythm guitar, Cliffie Stone on bass, and Roy Harte on drums, record the titles "Opus I", "Whistle Stop", "Speedin' West", and "Hometown Polka" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Whistle Stop" and "Hometown Polka" on Jimmy Bryant's album "Jimmy Bryant - Country Cabin Jazz" (T 1314) and "Speedin' West" on Speedy West's album "Steel Guitar" (T/ST 1341), "Speedin' West" also as a single (Capitol 2519 on 10" shellac and F2519 on 7" single) with "Skiddle-Dee-Boo" (recorded November 25, 1952) on the flipside and "Hometown Polka" also as a single (Capitol 2762 on 10" shellac and F2762 on 7" single) with "Jammin' With Jimmy" (recorded September 4, 1953) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles from this session in the four-CD box set "Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant - Flamin' Guitars" (BCD 15956).

1957 - Nat "King" Cole's album "Love Is The Thing", arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins, hits #1 on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart where it will stay for 8 weeks.

1957 - The Four Freshmen (Bob Flanigan on vocals, trombone, and bass; Don Barbour on vocals and guitar; Ross Barbour on vocals and drums; and Ken Albers on vocals trumpet, mellophone and bass) with arranger Pete Rugolo conducting the accompanists (Gus Bivona on soprano saxophone and alto saxophone; Bud Shank on alto saxophone; Dave Pell and Bob Cooper on tenor saxophone; Chuck Gentry on baritone and bass saxophone; Al Hendrickson on guitar; Geoff Clarkson on piano; Joe Comfort on bass; and Frank Carlson on drums record the tracks "I May Be Wrong", "Liza", "East Of The Sun", and "This Can't Be Love" at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California and will all be released on their Capitol Records album "The Four Freshmen and Five Saxes".

1958 - Vocalist Tex Ritter, with Jack Marshall and His Orchestra (Marshall conducting possibly Don Fagerquist, Conrad Gozzo, and Mannie Klein on trumpet, Milt Bernhardt on trombone, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Justin Gordon and George Smith on reeds, Joe Harnell on piano, Howard Roberts on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), records the titles "I Look For Love", "Jealous Heart", and "Burning Sand" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I Look For Love" as a single (Capitol F4043) with The History Song" (recorded August 16,1956) on the flipside and "Jealous Heart" and "Burning Sand" together as a single (Capitol F4006).

1958 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Jack Marshall conducting the orchestra (Don Fagerquist, Conrad Gozzo, and Mannie Klein on trumpet, Milt Bernhardt on trombone, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Justin Gordon and George Smith on reeds, Joe Harnell on piano, Howard Roberts on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), records the titles "It's A Good, Good Night", "You're Mine, You", and "Life Is For Livin'" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California with producer Dave Cavanaugh. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Lee's album "Things Are Swingin'" (T/ST 1049).

1958 - Erich Leinsdorf conducts The Philharmonia Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the third and fifth movements of Kodaly's "Hary Janos Suite", the sixth movement of Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kije Suite", the prelude of Wagner's "Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg", and Verdi's "La Forza Del Destino Overture" in Studio N° 1 of E.M.I.'s studios on Abbey Road in London, England. Capitol Records will issue the "Hary Janos Suite" and the "Lieutenant Kije Suite" in their entirety on the orchestra's album "PROKOFIEV - Lieutenant Kije Suite/KODALY-Hary Janos Suite" (P/SP-8508) and the prelude of "Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg" and "La Forza Del Destino Overture" on the orchestra's album "Opera Overtures" (G/SG-8465).

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Day Of Summer" debuts at #40 on WMOC 1450 AM's Official Sountific Tiger Survey in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1963 - During two sessions held this day in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California, vocalist and guitarist Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys (James Edward "Jimmy" Belken, Harold Glenn Hensley, and Julian Franklin "Curly" Lewis on fiddles, Jimmy Pruett on piano, Billy Gray and Merle Travis on guitars, Harold "Curly" Chalker on pedal steel guitar, Lawrence "Red" Wooten on bass, and Hubert "Hugo" Chambers on drums), records the titles "Twice As Much" and "Just To Ease The Pain" at the first session which was extended and would run from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM and the titles "Reachin For The Moon" and "Stirring Up the Ashes" at the second session which was also extended and would go from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Twice As Much", "Just To Ease The Pain", and "Stiring Up The Ashes" on Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys' album "Luckiest Heartache In Town" (T/ST 2342). "Twice As Much" and "Reaching For The Moon" also together as a single (Capitol F5071), and "Just To Ease The Pain" and "Stirring Up The Ashes" also together as a single (Capitol F123).

1963 - Glen Gray conducts The Casa Loma Orchestra (listed as similar to Shorty Sherock, Conrad Gozzo, Mannie Klein, and Joe Graves on trumpets, Milt Bernhart, Joe Howard, and Ed Kusby on trombones, George Roberts on bass trombone, Abe Most on clarinet and alto saxophone, Skeets Herfurt also on alto saxophone, Plas Johnson and Justin Gordon on tenor saxophones, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone, Ray Sherman on piano, Jack Marshall on guitar, Mike Rubin on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums) as they record the titles "The Good Life (In The Style Of The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra)", "What Kind Of Fool Am I? (In The Style Of 'April In Paris' By The Count Basie Orchestra), and "I Left My Heart In San Francisco (In The Style Of The Harry James Orchestra) in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Gray and The Casa Loma Orchestra's album "The Sounds of The Great Bands, Volume 7: Today's Best" (T/ST 1938).

1963 - Vocalist Bobby Darin, with Jack Nitzsche conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "From A Jack To A King", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Ruby Baby", and "Rhythm Of The Rain" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Darin's album "18 Yellow Roses & 11 Other Hits" (T/ST 1942).

1963 - Belford Hendricks and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "'Crazy 'Bout My Baby", "High Society", and "On! Berlin" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "'Crazy 'Bout My Baby" and "High Society" together as a single (Capitol 5021) and has yet to issue "On! Berlin".

1963 - Vocalist Liza Minnelli, with unlisted others, records the titles "How Much Do I Love You" and "One Some Love" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4994).

1967 - Buck Owens's Capitol Records single "Sam's Place" is still #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded for Tony Sandler and Ralph Young's titles "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "Oh Holy Night", "Mister Santa", "Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)", and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles on Sandler and Young's album "Christmas World" (ST 2967).

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for John Stewart and Buffy Ford's title "Lincoln's Train". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title on Stewart and Ford's album "Signals Through The Glass" (ST 2975).

1968 - John Stewart, with unlisted others, records the title "Jody And The Woman" and a new take of "Lincoln's Train" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue either title recorded at this session.

1968 - Brothers Make Two (lineup unlisted) record the titles "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight", "What You Gonna Do", and "Just As I Am" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue "Just As I Am". No issuing information is listed for the first two titles.

1968 - Vocalist Buck Owens and His Buckaroos (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Let The World Keep On Turnin'" and "I'll Love You Forever And Ever", both will additional vocals by Buddy Alan, and the title "A Very Merry Christmas" at The Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California. Capitol Records will issue "Let The World Keep On A Turnin'" and "I'll Love You Forever And Ever" together as a single (Capitol 2237) on August 7, 1968 and also on Owens' and The Buckaroos' album "I've Got You On My Mind Again" (ST-131) and "A Very Merry Christmas" on Owens' album "Christmas Shopping" (ST 2977).

1968 - Vocalist Glenn Campbell, with Al De Lory conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Ann" and "Wichita Lineman" in Los Angeles, California. After overdubs are recorded for both titles on August 14, 1968, Capitol Records will issue both titles on Campbell's album "Wichita Lineman" (ST-103) and "Wichita Lineman" also as a single (Capitol 2302) with "Fate Of Man" (recorded April 25, 1968 with overdubs recorded on August 28, 1968) on the flipside.

1968 - During three sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Joyful Noise (lineup unlisted) records the titles "Long Time" and "Arms Against The Sea" at the first session, the titles "Happy Hozey" and "All The Rage In London" at the second session, and the title "Flowers" at the third session for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1968 - Instrumental tracks are recorded for The Beach Boys' title "We're Together Again" in Los Angeles, California. Even after vocals overdubs are recorded on May 28, 1968, and further overdubs are recorded on May 31, 1968, Capitol Records has yet to issue the title.

1968 - Vocalist Dobie Gray, with unlisted others, records the titles "We The People", "I Never Saw A Girl", and "I Just Can't Take It" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "We The People" as a single (Capitol 2241) with "Funky & Groovy" (recorded June 26, 1968) on the flipside and has yet to issue the other two titles.

1968 - The Four King Cousins (lineup unlisted) record the titles "I Fell", "It's All The Same", "Here, There And Everywhere", and "Walk On By" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the group's album "Introducing The Four King Cousins" (ST 2990).

1968 - The Koala (Jose Mala on vocals, Louis Caine, aka Louis Bambara, on lead guitar, Joey Guido on guitar, Anthony Wesley on bass, Joe Alexander on drums and percussion, and possibly "Hammond Henry" Gendus on keyboards) record the titles "Strange Feelings" and "Look At The Way She Comes" at Regent Sound Studios in New York City, New York with their managers Bob Wyld and Art Polliemus producing the session. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the group's self-titled album "The Koala" (SKAO-176).

1973 - Paul McCartney and Wings' Apple Records single "My Love", distributed by Capitol Records in the United States, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1983 - Industry (lineup unlisted) records the title "State Of The Nation" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5268) with "Communication" (recorded May 30, 1983) on the flipside and also as another single (Capitol 5341) with "What Have I Got To Lose" (recorded June 17, 1983) on the flipside.

1989 - Paul McCartney's Capitol Records single "My Brave Face" debuts at #72 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

1993 - It's announced that EMI Music fired Capitol Records president Hale Milgrim and his #2 man, executive VP Art Jaeger.

1993 - Patti Ouderkirk takes Crowded House band member Tim Finn's photo at a shoot at Capitol Records' New York City office


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1933 - Disney releases the cartoon "The Three Little Pigs" with its hit song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?". Capitol Records will later release a children's record of the song.

1962 - Frank Ifield, with Norrie Paramor conducting the orchestra, records the title "I Remember You" (words by Capitol Records co-founder Johnny Mercer with music by Victor Schertzinger) for EMI Records in the U.K.

1963 - Vee-Jay Records releases The Beatles' single "From Me To You", with "Thank You Girl" on the flipside.

1963 - Tenor saxophonist Harold Vick, with Blue Mitchell on trumpet, John Patton on organ, Grant Green on guitar, and Ben Dixon on drums, records the titles "Trimmed In Blue", "Vicksville", "Steppin' Out", two takes of "Our Miss Brooks", "Dotty's Dream", and "Laura" at recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles, except the second take of "Our Miss Brooks" which is a shorter version of the title recorded in mono only, on Vick's album "Steppin' Out" (BLP4138 in mono, BST84138 in stereo, and 8-52433-2 on CD) and will issue "Vicksville" and the shorter mono version of "Our Miss Brooks" together as a single (Blue Note 45-1897).

1963 - Ken McIntyre, with Bob Cummingham on bass, Edgar Bateman on drums, and an unidentified string section directed by Selwart Clarke, records the titles "Kajee" with McIntyre on oboe, "Reflections" with McIntyre on alto saxophone, "Miss Ann" with McIntyre on flute, "Lois Marie" with McIntyre again on oboe, "Permanentity" with McIntyre again on alto saxophone, "Tip Top" with McIntyre again on flute, and "Chitlin's And Cavyah" with McIntyre again on alto saxophone in Regent Sound's studio in New York City, New York for the United Artists label. After E.M.I. acquires United Artists' catalog, Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on McIntyre's compilation CD "The Complete United Artists Sessions" (8-57200-2).

1964 - Gerry and The Pacemakers record the track "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey".

1968 - An unidentified fourteen piece string section records overdubs at recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey for Stanley Turrentine's titles "Blues For Stan" and "Smile" using arrangements by Thad Jones and the titles "The Look Of Love", "A Beautiful Friendship", "This Guy's In Love With You", "I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco", "Emily", two takes of "Cabin In The Sky", "Here, There And Everywhere", and "MacArthur Park" using arrangements by Duke Pearson. Blue Note Records will issue the final mixes of all the titles, except the first take of "Cabin In The Sky" which was rejected, on Turrentine's album "The Look Of Love" (BST84286).

1977 - Virgin Records releases The Sex Pistols' single "God Save the Queen" in the U.K.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1924 - The Music Corporation of America (MCA) is founded.

1932 - Junior Walker, singer, songwriter, and musician, is born Herman Parker, Jr. in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His song "Mystery Train" will be covered by The Band on their sixth Capitol Records album "Moondog Matinee".

1977 - Members of the band KISS will add small quantities of their blood at Borden Chemical Company in Depew, New York to the red ink used for the band's pseudo-autobiographical Marvel Comics comic book. Marvel Comics publisher Stan Lee will also be there, to observe.

MAY 26, 2026


HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1914 - Ziggy Elman, trumpet player, bandleader, songwriter (best known for "And The Angels Sing" which he co-wrote with Capitol Records' co-founder Johnny Mercer and was sung by future Capitol Records artist Martha Tilton), part of Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, and Mickey Katz and His Orchestra as well as a Capitol Records session musician (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra, Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra, and others), is born Harry Aaron Finkelman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1920 - Peggy Lee, songwriter, cartoon voice artist, vocalist with Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, and a solo artist on Capitol and Decca Records is born Norma Delores Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota.

100 Years Ago Today In 1926 - Miles Davis, trumpet player, composer, bandleader, film scorer, actor, and Capitol Records artist (1948) was born Miles Dewey Davis III in Alton, Illinois.

1942 - Levon Helm, drummer, mandolin player and singer with the Capitol Records recording group The Band, as well as Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, The Canadian Squires, and The Hawks, is born Mark Levon Helm in Marvell, Arkansas.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1945 - Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)'s Capitol Records single "Candy" is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records charts, The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and His Orchestra)' Capitol Records single "Dream" is #5, and Johnny Johnston (with orchestra conducted by Paul Baron)'s Capitol Records single "Laura" enters the chart at #9.

80 Years Ago Today In 1946 - Johnny Mercer, with The Pied Pipers (June Hutton, Clarke Yocum, Hal Hopper, Chuck Lowry) on the first three tracks and Paul Weston and his Orchestra (Bruce Hudson, Charlie Griffard, Ray Woods, and Ray Linn on trumpet; Allan Thompson, Bill Schaefer, and Elmer Smithers on trombone; Hap Lawson, Matty Matlock, Fred Stulce, Lenny Hartman, Eddie Miller, and Artie Quenzer on reeds; Charles LaVere on piano; Dave Barbour on guitar; Jack Ryan on bass; and Nick Fatool on drums) on all titles, records "My Sugar Is So Refined", "Baby I'm True To You", "Sugar Blues" (this version features a rare vocal by drummer Nick Fatool who's identified by name by Mercer and the version released by Capitol will be recorded on July 1, 1947) and "Mindin' My Business" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "My Sugar Is So Refined" as a single (Capitol 268) with "Ugly Chile (You're Some Pretty Doll)" (recorded May 23, 1946) on the flipside and "Mindin' My Business" on Mercer's album "Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers With Paul Weston Orchestra" (CD-36). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles on the compilation CD set "Mosaic Select - Johnny Mercer" (MS-028).

1949 - Woody Herman and His Orchestra (Stan Fishelson, Al Porcino, Ernie Royal, Charlie Walp, and Shorty Rogers on trumpet; Bill Harris, Earl Swope, and Ollie Wilson on trombone; Bart Varsalona on bass trombone; Herman on clarinet, alto saxophone, and vocals; Sam Marowitz on alto saxophone; Gene Ammons, Buddy Savitt, and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor saxophone; Serge Chaloff on baritone saxophone; Terry Gibbs on vibraphone; Lou Levy on piano; Oscar Pettiford on bass; Shelly Manne on drums; and Mary Ann McCall on vocals) record the tracks "The Crickets" arranged by Ralph Burns with Herman and McCall on vocals and "More Moon" arranged by Shorty Rogers, in Chicago, Illinois for Capitol Records.

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 Retail Records chart, Nat "King" Cole (with orchestra conducted by Les Baxter)'s Capitol Records single "Too Young" is #2, and Les Paul and Mary Ford's Capitol Records single "Mockin' Bird Hill" is #7.

1953 - Vocalists Skeets McDonald and Helen O'Connell, with Dave Cavanaugh directing the orchestra (Charles Butler and Jules Jacob on saxophones, Donald Robertson on piano, Eddie Kirk on guitar, Meyer Rubin on bass, Milton "Muddy" Berry on drums, and James "Dick" Philips and John Schmidt on unlisted instruments) record the titles "Hi Diddle Diddle (My My)" and "Worried Mind" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM with producer Ken Nelson. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2573 on 10" shellac and F2573 on 7" vinyl).

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Les Baxter and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Poor People Of Paris" is tied at #3 with Morris Stoloff and His Orchestra's single "Moonglow and Theme From 'Picnic'" on Billboard's Best Selling Retailing Records chart, Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra's Capitol Records single "Lisbon Antiqua" is #17, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Too Young To Go Steady" is #32, and Dean Martin (with Dick Stabile and His Orchestra with Chorus)'s Capitol Records single "Standing On The Corner" is # 39.

1958 - Laurie London's Capitol Records single "He's Got The Whole World In His Hand" is tied for #5 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart with Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back", Dean Martin (with Gus Levene and His Orchestra and Chorus)'s Capitol Records single "Return To Me" is #7, The Four Prep's Capitol Records single "Big Man" is #10, and Ed Townsend's Capitol Records single "For Your Love" is #15. Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Looking Back" is also #21 on WMGM's Top 40 Survey in New York City, New York.

1958 - During two session held this day in Los Angeles, California with producer Dave Cavanaugh, The Frank Moore Four (Frank Moore on accordion with unlisted tenor saxophone, bass, and drums players) records the titles "How About You", "Night Train", "Manhattan", "Take The 'A' Train", and I'll Never Smile Again" at the first session and the titles "Midnight Sun", "Four Brothers, "I'm Beginning To See The Light", and "Don'cha Go 'Way Mad" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except "Midnight Sun" and "Four Brothers" which it has yet to issue, on the group's self-titled album "The Frank Moore Four" (T 1127).

1958 - Vocalist Judy Garland, with Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "I Hadn't Anyone Till You", "More Than You Know", "I'm Confessin'", and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" in Los Angeles, California with producer Voyle Gilmore. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Garland's album "Judy In Love" (EAP-1/2/3-1036 on 7" EPs and T/ST 1036 on mono and stereo 12" LPs).

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - The Beatles begin recording tracks for the title "Yellow Submarine" at Abbey Road Studios and would finish the title at another session on June 1, 1966.

1968 - Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "I Wanna Live" returns to the #1 spot on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1968 - The Beach Boys (lineup unlisted) record the title "Walk On By" at an unlisted studio. Capitol Records will issue the title as a bonus track on the two-album CD "Friends/20-20" (7-93697-2).

1969 - Capitol Records releases John Lennon and Yoko Ono's second album, "Unfinished Music No. 2 - Life with the Lions" in the U.S. and the couple begin their second "bed-in" for peace in a 29th-floor room at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada.

1970 - The Beatles' last album "Let It Be", released by Capitol Records in the United States, is certified Gold by the R.I.A.A.

1973 - The Beatles' Apple Records compilation double album "The Beatles 1967-1970" (aka "The Blue Album") hits #1 on Billboard magazine's Top 200 Albums chart.


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1942 - Ray Ennis, a guitarist and a singer with the Capitol Records Canada group The Swinging Blue Jeans, is born in Liverpool, England.

70 Years Ago Today In 1956 - Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "I'm In Love Again" is #19 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, and Domino's Imperial Records single "My Blue Heaven is #38.

1958 - David Seville's Liberty Records single "Witch Doctor" is #2 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart, Rick Nelson's Imperial Records single "Believe What You Say" is tied for #31 with it's flipside "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It", Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "Sick And Tired is #34, and Dion and The Belmonts' Laurie Records single "I Wonder Why" is tied at #35 with Andy Williams (with Archie Blyer and His Orchestra)' single "I Wonder Why".

1958 - Pianist Gil Evans, using his own arrangements, conducts Johnny Coles, Louis Mucci, and Clyde Raesinger on trumpets, Frank Rehak and Joe Bennett on trombones, Tom Mitchell on bass trombone, Julius Watkins on French horn, Bill Barber on tuba, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on alto saxophone, Phil Bodner on piccolo, flute, bass clarinet, and English horn, Chuck Wayne on guitar, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Blakey on drums as they record the titles "Manteca" and "Bird Feathers" in New York City, New York for the Pacific Jazz label. After EMI acquires Pacific Jazz's catalog, it will issue both titles on the two-LP compilation set "Pacific Standard Time" (BN-LA461-H2).

1958 - Pianist and bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra (Wendell Culley, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, and Joe Newman on trumpets, Henry Coker, Al Grey, and Benny Powell on trombones, Frank Wess on alto saxophone and flute, Marshall Royal also on alto saxophone, Frank Foster and Billy Mitchell on tenor saxophones, Charles Fowlkes on baritone saxophone, Freddie Green on guitar, Eddie Jones on bass, and Sonny Payne on drums), with Joe Williams, Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross on vocals, record the title "Goin' To Chicago" at Capitol Records' studios in New York City, New York for the Roulette Records label. After EMI acquires Roulette's catalog, Blue Note Records will issue the title on the compilation CD "The Best Of Joe Williams" (8-21146-2).

1962 - Walter Brennan's Liberty Records single "Old Rivers" is #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Jay and The Americans' United Artists Records single "She Cried" is #7, Dion's Laurie Records single "Lovers Who Wander" is #10, Joey Dee and The Starlighters' Roulette Records single "Shout (Part 1)" is #19, and Dick and DeeDee's Liberty Records single "Tell Me" is #26. Universal Music Group, the parent company of Capitol Music Group, currently owns the catalogs of Liberty, United Artists, Laurie and Roulette Records.

1964 - Lenny Kravitz, Virgin Records America artist, is born Leonard Albert Kravitz in New York City, New York.

1982 - Bobby Darin's star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame is unveiled
1994 - Future Capitol Records artist Lisa Marie Presley secretly marries Michael Jackson in the Dominican Republic.


ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

140 Years Ago Today In 1886 - Al Jolson, singer, Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion picture actor (best known as the star of the first popular talking film "The Jazz Singer"), and first popular music superstar of the 20th century, is born Asa Yoelson in Seredzius, Lithuania. For just about everything you might want to know about Jolson, check out Dr. Marc I Leavy's massive tribute website.

1932 - My grandparents, Martin and Marie Nielsen, set sail from Hamburg, Germany on the S.S. New York, bound for Ellis Island and eventually to 4741 Greenwood Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

1942 - Joan Fontaine, actress, puts her handprints in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.

1948 - Stevie Nicks, a songwriter, solo artist, and a vocalist with the bands Fritz, Buckingham Nicks, and Fleetwood Mac is born Stephanie Lynn Nicks in Phoenix, Arizona.

MAY 25, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1915 - Van Alexander, arranger, composer (arranged and co-wrote "A-Tisket A-Tasket" with Ella Fitzgerald for Chick Webb and His Orchestra), film scorer, bandleader and Capitol Records artist as Van Alexander and His Orchestra, is born Al Feldman in New York City, New York.

1922 - Kitty Kalen, singer, vocalist for Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra, Capitol Records artist Bobby Shorewood and His Orchestra (best known on the 1942 track "Moonlight Becomes You"), Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, and Harry James and His Orchestra, and a solo artist, is born Genevieve Agostinello in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

100 Years Ago Today In 1926 - Milt Bernhart, trombonist, member of Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, and Nelson Riddle's Capitol Records bands, session musician on some of Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records sessions (including "I've Got You Under My Skin"), movie studio session musician (including lead trombonist on the theme songs for "Johnny Quest" and "The Jetsons"), bandleader of the RCA Victor group Milt Bernhart Brass Ensemble, and founder of The Big Band Academy Of America, is born in Valparaiso, Indiana.

1947 - Jessi Colter, singer and Capitol Records artist (1975-1976, 1978, 1981),  is born Mirriam Johnson in Phoenix Arizona. She would first marry Duane Eddy (1961-1968) with whom she had daughter Jennifer Eddy and then Waylon Jennings (1969) with whom she had sons Buddy and Scooter Jennings.

1953 - Rich "Dude" Alves, a guitarist for the Capitol Records group Pirates of the Mississipi (1990-1991), is born in Pleasanton, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1945 - Guitarist Carl Kress (with guitarist Tony Mattola and a clarinetist, bass player, and drummer), records the titles "Swan Of Tonnelle Avenue", "Sarong", "Blond On The Loose", and "Walking Behind Miss Lucy" at WMCA studios in New York City for Capitol Records, but all would be rejected and would be released in 1997 on Mosaic Records' box set "Classic Capitol Jazz Sessions".

1947 - The St. Paul Church Choir Of Los Angeles (large mixed vocal choir - lineup unlisted) with Eric Gladney on lead vocals, a unlisted pianist, and conducted by J. Earle Hines, records the titles "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me", "God Be With You", "We Sure Do Need Him Now", and "What Could I Do (If It Wasn't For The Lord)?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" as a single (Capitol 867) with "Yield Not To Temptation" (recorded June 12, 1947) on the flipside and as a single (Capitol Americana 40018) with "God Be With You" on the flipside, "We Sure Do Need Him Now" as a single (Capitol Americana 40033) also with "Yield Not To Temptation" on the flipside, and "What Could I Do (If It Wasn't For The Lord)?" as a single (Capitol Americana 40076) with "Walking With My Jesus" (also recorded on June 12, 1947) on the flipside . Capitol will also re-issue "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me", "God Be With You", and "What Could I Do (If It Wasn't For The Lord)?" in 1953 on the group's album "On Revival Day!" (T 791).

1948 - Vocalist Margaret Whiting overdubs vocals at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Boulevard in Hollywood, California onto a band track recorded by Frank De Vol and His Orchestra in London, England (getting around the second Petrillo/AFM recording ban) for the title "A Tree In The Meadow". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 15122) with "I'm Sorry But I'm Glad" (recorded December 26, 1947) on the flipside on June 21, 1948, and also on Whiting's album "Love Songs By Margaret Whiting" (EAP-1-410 on 7" EP and T 410 on 12" LP). "A Tree In The Meadow" will eventually hit #1 on Billboard's singles chart on August 21, 1948.

1948 - Vocalist Andy Russell overdubs vocals at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Boulevard in Hollywood, California onto a band track recorded by Frank De Vol and His Orchestra in London, England for the title "I Kiss Your Hand Madame". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 15135) with "Just For Now" (recorded November 28, 1947) on the flipside.

1952 - The original Broadway cast of the revival of George and Ira Gershwin's "Of The I Sing" featuring vocalists Jack Carson, Paul Hartman, Jack Whiting, Lenore Lonergan, Betty Oakes, Florenz Ames, Jonathan Lucas, Howard Freeman, J. Pat O'Malley, Donald Foster, Robert F. Simon, Loring Smith, and Mort Marshall, with Maurice Levine conducting the cast chorus and orchestra (lineups unlisted), during five sessions (4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM, 11:30 PM to 12:00 AM on May 26, 1952, 12:00 AM to 3:20 AM, and 3:20 AM to 3:50 AM) as they record the titles "Part 1: Prelude (instrumental)/Wintergreen For President (chorus)/Who Is The Lucky Girl To Be? (girls chorus)/The Dimple On My Knee - Because, Because", "Part 2: Never Was There A Girl So Fair/Some Girls Can Bake A Pie", "Part 3" Love Is Sweeping The Country/Finaletto/The Supreme Court Judges", "Part 4: I Was The Most Beautiful Blossom/Some Girls Can Bake A Pie (Reprise)/Finaletto", "Part 5: Hello, Good Morning/Mine/Who Cares", "Part 6: Garçon, S'il Vous Plait/Illegitimate Daughter/Because, Because (reprise)", "Part 7: Who Cares (Reprise)/The Senate Roll Call - Impeachment/Jilted", and "Part 8: I'm About To Be A Mother/Trumpeter, Blow Your Horn/Finale" in studios at 207 East 50th Street in New York City, New York. After remastering in Los Angeles on June 4, 1952, Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "Of The I Sing" (S 350).

1953 - Universal-International Pictures releases the first 3-dimensional musical short subject film to go with the studio's release of the 3D feature film "It Came From Outer Space". Nat "King" Cole is the main star, singing "Pretend", in this 18 minute featurette directed by Will Cowan and filmed in "scientifically perfected eye-resting full-sepia mono-color". The featurette also includes Joan Elms singing "Blue Moon" with Russ Morgan and His Orchestra as well as Charles Drake, Joseph Sawyer, and The Gene Louis Dancers.

1953 - Robert McDonald conducts The Los Angeles City College Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as they record the titles "Don't Blame Me", "Cream Puff", "September In The Rain", and "Fugue In G Minor" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Cream Puf" and "September In The Rain" together as a single (Capitol 2356 on 10" shellac and F2536 on 7" vinyl) and has yet to issue the other two titles.

1953 - Pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (Buddy Childers, Ernie Royal, Conte Candoli, Don Dennis, and Don Smith on trumpets, Bob Burgess, Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard, and Keith Moon on trombones, George Roberts on bass trombone, Lee Konitz and Vinnie Dean on alto saxophone, Bill Holman and Richie Kamuca on tenor saxophones, Henry Levy on baritone saxophone, Sal Salvador on guitar, Don Bagley on bass, and Stan Levey on drums), with vocals by Chris Connor, record the titles "All About Ronnie" and "I Get A Kick Out Of You" at Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Capitol Records will issue "All About Ronnie" as a single (Capitol 2511 on 10" shellac and F2511 on 7" vinyl) with "Baia" (recorded April 8, 1953) on the flipside and "I Get A Kick Out Of You" on the multi-artist compilation CD "Capitol Sings Cole Porter - Anything Goes" (7-96361-2).

1953 - Ray Block conducts Jackie Gleason's Orchestra (a string orchestra with an unlisted lineup) as they record the titles "Crazy Rhythm" featuring an unlisted alto saxophonist, "The President's Lady" featuring an unlisted French horn player, "A Little Love, A Little Kiss" featuring an unlisted trumpet player, and "Terry's Theme (From 'Limelight')" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "The President's Lady" as a single (Capitol 2515 on 10" shellac and F2515 on 7" vinyl) with "White House Serenade" (recorded December 19, 1952) on the flipside and "Terry's Theme (From 'Limelight')" as a single (Capitol 2507 on 10" shellac and F2507 on 7" vinyl) with "Peg O' My Heart" (recorded January 12, 1953) on the flipside. Collectors' Choice Music will issue all titles on the compilation CD "Two Classic Albums From Jackie Gleason - Lover's Rhapsody/And Awaaay We Go" (CCM 192-2).

1955 - The Louvin Brothers record the title "When I Stopped Dreaming" which Capitol Records will release as a single with "Pitfall" on the flipside in July, 1955.

1955 - Wardell Gray, tenor saxophonist with the Capitol Records group Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (1948-1949) and then with Count Basie's band (1950-1955), is found dead in the desert outside Las Vegas with a broken neck. The Jazzitude website has a great article by Marshall Bowden about the life and mysterious death of Gray.

1957 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Gone" is #4 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart.

1958 - Vocalist Peggy Lee, with Jack Marshall's Music (Jack Marshall conducting Conrad Gozzo, Don Fagerquist, and Mannie Klein on trumpets, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Milt Bernhart on trombone, Justin Gordon and George Smith on reeds, Joe Harnell on piano, Howard Roberts on guitar, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums), records the titles "You Don't Know", "Ridin' High", "Alright, Okay, You Win", and "It's Been A Long, Long Time" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "You Don't Know" as a single (Capitol F3998) with "Fever" (recorded May 19, 1958) on the flipside and also on Lee's EP "Fever" (EAP-1-1052) and her album "All Aglow Again" (T 1366), "Ridin' High", "Alright, Okay, You Win", and "It's Been A Long, Long Time" on Lee's album "Things Are Swingin'" (T/ST 1049), and "Alright, Okay, You Win" also as a single (Capitol F4115) with "My Man" (recorded October 17, 1958) on the flipside.

1959 - Franck Pourcel's French Fiddlers' Capitol Records single "Only You", with "Rainy Night In Paris" on the flipside, is #9 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Faron Young's Capitol Records single "Hello Walls", with "Congratulations" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts.

1963 - The Beach Boys' Capitol Records single "Surfin' USA" hits #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart becoming the group's first top 10 single, Al Martino's Capitol Records single "I Love You Because" is #5, The Kingston Trio's Capitol Records single "Reverend Mr. Black" is #14, Kyu Sakamoto's Capitol Records single "Sukiyaki", with "Anoko No Namaewa Nantenkana" on the flipside, is #20 (and #2 on KFWB's Fabulous Forty survey), Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is #25, Bobby Darin's Capitol Records single "Yellow Roses" is #34, and The Beach Boys' single "Shutdown" (the flipside of "Surfin' USA") is #38. Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" is also #27 on KFXM 590 AM's Fabulous 59 survey in San Bernadino, California, #28 on Cash Box magazines Top 100 Singles chart, #30 on KDWB's Top 40 survey in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, and debuts at #44 on C-FUN's C-Funtastic Fifty chart in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Where Did Everyone Go?" is #9 also on KFXM's Spotlight Albums chart in San Bernadino, California.

1963 - Pipe organist Eddie Dunstedter, with unlisted others, records the titles "Angels We Have Heard On High", "Beautiful Savior", and "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Dunstedter's album "The Bells Of Christmas Chime Again" (T/ST 1968).

1963 - Vocalist Bobby Darin, with Jack Nitzsche conducting his own arrangments to the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Reverend Mr. Black", "Walk Right In", and "The End Of The World" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Darin's album "18 Yellow Roses & 11 Other Hits" (T/ST 1942).

1973 - Pianist Peter Duchin, with unlisted others, records the titles "Day Of The Jackal", "Alfredo, Alfredo", "Classical Gas", and "A Little Night Music" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "A Little Night Music" as a single (Capitol 3658) with "Fa-La" (recorded November 16, 1972) on the flipside. No issuing information is listed for the other three titles.

1973 - Final mastering is done for Jimmy Rogers' self-titled album "Jimmy Rogers" (SW-8921) that will be issued by Shelter Records, which at the time was distributed by Capitol Records.

50 Years Ago Today In 1976 - Sweet's Capitol Records album "Desolation Boulevard" is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.

1978 - Vocalist Glen Campbell, with unlisted others, records the title "Never Tell You No Lies" in Studio City's studio in Sherman Oaks, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue the title.

1983 - During two sessions held this day in Audio Media Recorders' studio in Nashville, Tennessee, vocalist Anne Murray, with unlisted others records the title "Just Another Woman In Love" at the first session and the title "I Guess I Just Missed You" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "Just Another Woman In Love" as a single (Capitol 5344) with "Heart Stealer" (recorded July 14, 1983) on the flipside and on Murray's album "ST-12301" (ST-12301) and has yet to issue "I Guess I Just Missed You".

1995 - Dick Curless, (aka The Baron of Country Music and born Richard William Curless), singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and Tower Records (a subsidiary of Capitol Records) artist (1965-1969) and Capitol Records artist (1970-1974), dies of stomach cancer at age 63 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Togus, Maine

2005 - Domenic Troiano, singer, songwriter, guitarist and solo artist with Capitol Records (1977-1979) and member of the bands Mandala, Bush, James Gang, The Guess Who, and Black Market, dies of cancer at age 59 at his home in Toronto, Canada


ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1957 - Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "I'm Walkin'" is #14 on Billboard's Best Selling Retail Records chart and Rick Nelson's Imperial Records version of the same is song is tied for #27 with Mitchell Torok's single "Pledge Of Love". UMG Music Group, Capitol Records parent company, currently owns Imperial's catalog.

1959 - Martin Denny's Liberty Records single "Quiet Village" is #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, Dion and The Belmonts' Laurie Records single "A Teenager In Love" is #6, and Fats Domino's Imperial Records single "I'm Ready" is #17. UMG Music Group, Capitol Records parent company, currently owns the Liberty, Laurie, and Imperial catalogs.

1963 - Lou Christie's Roulette Records single "Two Faces Have I" is #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, The Chiffons' Laurie Records single "He's So Fine" is #28, and Bobby Vee's Liberty Records single "Charms" is #35. UMG Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company, currently owns the  Roulette, Laurie and Liberty Records catalogs.

1964 - Capitol Records Canada releases The Swinging Blue Jean's single "Hippy Hippy Shake".

1967 - John Lennon's Rolls Royce gets a psychedelic paint job from Dutch team of gypsy artists group The Fool who were commissioned by J. P. Fallon Ltd. John Whelan has a pretty comprehensive article about the vehicle, and the paint job, on the Ottawa Beatles Site.

1973 - Virgin Records releases its first album, Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells".

1983 - Vocalist Shenna Easton, with unlisted others, records the titles "With Her Radio" and "Don't Leave Me This Way" in an unlisted studio. EMI Americal will issue both titles on Easton's album "Best Kept Secret" (ST-17101).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

180 Years Ago Today In 1846 - Patty Smith Hill, composer (best known for "Happy Birthday To You" which was still under copyright until 2016 even though Miss Hill died in 1924), is born in Bath, Kentucky

1942 - It's a Monday and at 11:00 AM, trade showings for exhibitors are held by RKO Radio Pictures of Walt Disney's "Bambi" through out the country.