APRIL 27, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1900 - Walter Lantz, cartoonist, studio owner, creator of Woody Woodpecker (which Capitol Records would release a children's record featuring), Andy Panda, and Chilly Willy, is born Walter Benjamin Lantz in New Rochelle, New York. Animating for Walter Lantz Studios was one of future Capitol Records employee Fred Rice's first jobs in Hollywood. Rice would later do the artwork for Capitol's Woody Woodpecker's albums and promotion materials.

1909 - Jimmie Skinner, a singer, songwriter, and Capitol Records artist (recorded 15 released singles for Capitol between 1950 and 1953, but no album was ever put together and the singles are a rare find), is born on a farm near Berea, Kentucky. There's also a reference to him being born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. If anyone knows for sure where Jimmie was born, please leave a comment. A great biography can be found on Paul Vidal's site and at the Hillbilly Music site.

1939 - Jerry Mercer, the drummer with the Capitol Records group April Wine, is born in Newfoundland, Canada.

1947 - Pete Ham, singer, songwriter, guitarist and founder of Apple Records and Capitol Records group Badfinger, is born William Peter Ham in Swansea, Wales.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1948 - It's a Tuesday evening and at a banquet held after the closing of the 14th Annual Northwest Regional Convention And Exhibit in The Grand Ballroom at The Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota The King Cole Trio, June Christy, and Stan Kenton are awarded scrolls for their winning performances in The Billboard magazine's Annual College Poll from The Billboard magazine's Midwest division's general manager, Maynard Reuter. A photo is on page 120 of the May 8, 1948 issue of The Billboard magazine.

1948 - Roy Hogsed signs a contract with Capitol Records and all his purchased masters are assigned Capitol mastering numbers.

1953 - Vocalist Gloria Wood, with the Pete Candoli Orchestra (Pete Candoli and Conrad Gozzo on trumpets, Ed Kusby and Si Zentner on trombones, Skeets Herfurt on alto saxophone, Ted Nash on tenor saxophone, Paul Smith on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Alvin Stoller on drums and bell), records the titles "Hey Bellboy" and "Anybody Hurt?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 2471) and on Wood's EP "Gloria Wood With Pete Candoli" (EAP-1-538).

1955 - Dean Martin and Line Renaud record the title "Relax-Ay-Voo" for Capitol Records.

1957 - Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Gone", with "Missing Persons" on the flipside, is #5 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart, Tommy Sand's Capitol Records single "Teenage Crush", with "Hep Dee Hootie (Cutie Wootie)" on the flipside, is #12 (tied with Steve Lawrence's single "Party Doll"), and Sonny James' single "Young Love", with "You're The Reason I'm In Love" on the flipside, is #27.

1959 - Bobby Hackett (on coronet, with Stan Brauner on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and tenor sax; Dave McKenna on piano; Bill Kahakalau on steel guitar; Billy Bauer or Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar and ukulele; Bob Carter on bass; Dick Scott on drums; and Johnny Cresci on bongos) records the titles "Orchids From Hawaii", "Ku Nei", "Soft Sands" and "Aloha Oe" for his Capitol Records album "Hawaii Swings" in New York City. The sessions may have been produced by Andy Wiswell. The complete Bobby Hackett Capitol solo sessions are available on Mosaic Records.

1959 - The Kingston Trio's Capitol Records single "Tijuana Jail", with "Oh Cindy (from the Warner Bros. Picture “Rio Bravo”)" on the flipside, is #15 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Skip To My Lou" is #3 in Denmark according to Quan Musikbureau in Copenhagen, his single "All Over The World" is #71 on Cash Box magazine's Top 100 Singles chart. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Ramblin' Rose" is #65 and his album "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #83 on Billboard magazine's Top LPs - 150 Best Sellers - Monaural chart.

60 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Recording begins on The Beatles' title "I'm Only Sleeping" which will appear on their Capitol Records album "Revolver".

1968 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, for Glen Campbell's title "Christmas Is For Children". Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 2336) with "There's No Place Like Home" (recorded July 24, 1968) on the flipside and on Campbell's album "That Christmas Feeling" (ST 2978).

1968 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Goin' Out Of My Head", "Yesterday, "Lonely Is The Name", and "It Must Be Him" at the first session and the titles "Two Different Worlds", "I Won't Cry Anymore", "Live For Life", and "I Can't Believe I'm Losing You" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Gleason's album "The Now Sound For Today's Lovers" (SW 2935).

1973 - The last episode of former Capitol Records artist Bobby Darin's NBC-TV variety show "The Bobby Darin Show" airs and features Capitol Records artist Peggy Lee appears in a concert setting.

1978 - Billy "Crash" Craddock, with unlisted others, records the titles "If I Could Write A Song As Beautiful As You", "What Are Memories Made Of?", and "Never Ending" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Craddock's album "Turning Up And Turning On" (SW-11853) and also "If I Could Write A Song As Beautiful As You" and "Never Ending" together as a single (Capitol 4672).

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Apple Records and Capitol Records artist Ringo Starr marries his second wife, motion picture actress Barbara Bach, at Marylebone Registry Office in London, England. Paul McCartney and wife Linda, George Harrison, and Harry Nilsson were in attendance.

1983 - The Motels (featuring Martha Davis on vocals with unlisted others), records the title "Into The Heartland" 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).

1988 - Great White’s Capitol Records album "Once Bitten" is certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A.

1988 - Vocalist Johnny Rodriguez, with unlisted others, records the titles "Sweet Courtinda, Sweet Home", "Back To Stay", and "No Chance To Dance" at Woodland Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue "Back To Stay" and "No Chance To Dance" together as a single (Capitol 44325). No issuing information is listed for "Sweet Courtinda, Sweet Home".

1990 - Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) releases Garth Brooks' album "No Fences".

1992 - Capitol Records releases it's limited edition promotional 50th Anniversary box set. It contains 8 CDs and a hardcover book covering the highlights of the previous 50 years of the label's history.

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

235 Years Ago Today In 1791 - Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor (most notably of Morse code), painter, and grandfather of Leila Morse (who threw the switch to light the beacon on top of The Capitol Tower that spells out H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D in Morse code for the first time), is born Samuel Finley Breese Morse in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

1953 - The Gerry Mulligan Quartet (Gerry Mulligan on baritone saxophone, Chet Baker on trumpet, Larry Bunker on drums, and Carson Smith on bass), records the titles "My Old Flame", "All The Things You Are", two takes of "Love Me Or Leave Me" and "Swinghouse", "Jeru" and "Utter Chaos #2" at Radio Recorders, in Los Angeles, California with producer Richard Bock. Pacific Jazz Records will issue "My Old Flame" on the album "Lee Konitz And The Gerry Mulligan Quartet" (PJLP-10 on 10" vinyl), the second take of "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Jeru", and the first take of "Swinghouse" on the group's self-titled album "Gerry Mulligan Quartet" (PJLP 5 on 10" LP), and all the titles and all the takes on the 4-CD set "The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker" (8-38263-2). Mosaic Records will also issue all the titles and all the takes in the five-LP box set "The Complete Pacific Jazz And Capitol Recordings Of The Original Gerry Mulligan Quartet And Tentette With Chet Baker" (MR5-102 on 12" vinyl).

1959 - Sheena Easton, singer, television actress, and EMI America Records artist, is born Sheena Shirley Orr in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

65 Years Ago Today In 1961 - Lou Donaldson (on alto saxophone with Herman Foster on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, Dave Bailey on drums, and Alec Dorsey on conga drums) records the titles "Glory of Love", "Gravy Train", "Polka Dots And Moonbeams", "Candy", "South Of The Border", "Twist Time", and "Avalon" for his Blue Note Records album "Gravy Train" with producer Alfred Lion. The album is released in mono in June 1961 and stereo in July 1962.

1964 - Tollie Records release The Beatles' single "Love Me Do", with "P.S. I Love You" on the flipside, in the United States.

1983 - On her 24th birthday, vocalist Sheena Easton, with unlisted others, records the title "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" at an unlisted studio. EMI America will issue the title on Easton's album "Best Kept Secret" (ST-17101 on 12" vinyl and E2-90265 on CD).

1983 - The Michael Stanley Band (lineup unlisted) recorded the titles "Fire In The Hole", "Highlife", "How Can You Call This Love" and "Just Give Me Tonight" in an unlisted studio. EMI America will issue all the titles on the group's album "You Can't Fight Fashion" (ST-17100) and will also issue "Highlife" as a single (EMI America 8189) with an edited version of "Someone Like You" (album version recorded May 13, 1983) on the flipside.

1988 - During two session held this day at recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, vocalist Diane Reeves, with Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, Donald Brown on piano, Charnett Moffett on bass, Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums, and Ron Powell on percussion, records the titles "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" with the addition of Greg Osby on alto saxophone and "Ancient Source" at the first session and then Reeves, with just Kevin Eubanks on acoustic guitar and Ron Powell on wind chimes, records the title "Like A Lover" at the second session. Blue Note Records will issue "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" and "Like A Lover" in the United States on Reeves' album "I Remember" (B1-90264 on 12" vinyl and 7-90264-2 on CD) and all the titles in Japan on the CD "The Nearness Of You" (TOCJ-5967).

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1932 - Casey Kasem, a cartoon voice actor (best known as the voice of Shaggy in "Scooby-Doo" and Robin in the "Batman" and "Superfriends" cartoons), host of "American Top 40" weekly radio show and "America's Top 10" television show, is born Kemal Amin Kasem in Detroit, Michigan.

 APRIL 26, 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

1938 - Duane Eddy, a guitarist, a Capitol Records artist (1987), and an M-G-M motion picture star, is born in Corning, New York.

1942 - Bobby Rydell, a motion picture actor, singer, and a Capitol Records artist (after leaving Cameo Records, until 1969, when he signed with Reprise), is born Robert Ridarelli in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1960 - Roger Taylor, the drummer, and percussionist, in the Capitol Records bands Duran Duran and Arcadia, is born in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, West Midlands, England.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL HISTORY

1948 - It's a Monday and The King Cole Trio, along with other Capitol Records artists Stan Kenton, June Christy, and Spike Haskell, as well as Capitol's Minneapolis promotion man Bob Jacobs, appear for two days in Booth 1 as part of Capitol Records' exhibit at the 14th Annual Northwest Regional Convention And Exhibit in the Gold Room at The Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota with 16 other record distributors, jobbers, jukebox manufacturers, and related merchandise firms. A General Electric Combo record player was demoed by constantly playing The King Cole Trio's Capitol Records single "Nature Boy". The convention is sponsored by jukebox operator associations from four states - the Minnesota Amusement Games Association (MAGA), the Wisconsin Phonograph Operators' Association (WPOA), the North Dakota Music Operators' Association (NDMOA), and the South Dakota Phonograph Association (SDPA).

1952 - Kay Starr's Capitol Records single "Wheel Of Fortune", with Harold Mooney conducting the orchestra and "Angry" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Best Selling Singles chart, and Ella Mae Morse's Capitol Records single "Blacksmith Blues", with arranger Nelson Riddle conducting the orchestra and originally released as the flipside of a re-issue of Freddie Slack's "Cow Cow Boogie" and then with "Love Me Or Leave Me" on the flipside, is #3.

1958 - Laurie London's Capitol Records single "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" is #1 on The Billboard magazine's "Most Played By Jockeys" chart for the second week in a row.

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, #12 on the magazine's Top 100 Sides chart, #14 on the magazine's Best Selling Pop Singles In Stores chart, and #27 on Cash Box magazine's Best Selling Singles chart. "Looking Back"'s flipside "Do I Like It" is also #94 on The Billboard magazine's Top 100 Sides chart. Also, Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "St. Louis Blues" debuts at #18 and his album "Love Is The Thing" is #25 on The Billboard magazine's Best Selling Pop LPs chart.

1958 - The Jonah Jones Quartet (Jonah Jones on trumpet and vocals, Hank Jones on piano, John Brown on bass, and Harold Austin on drums) records the titles "Just A Gigolo" and "Moten Swing" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Just A Gigolo" on the quartet's album "Jumpin' With Jonah" (EAP-3-1039 on 7" vinyl and T/ST 1039 on 12" vinyl) and "Moten Swing" on the album "Hit Me Again!" (T/ST 1375).

1962 - Capitol Records records a concert by Judy Garland, with Mort Lindsey conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra, at Manhattan Center in New York City New York. Judy performs the songs "Sail Away", "Something's Coming", "Why Can't I?", "Just In Time", "Do What You Do", "Get Me To The Church On Time", "The Party's Over", "Joey, Joey, Joey", "Hey Look Me Over", "Some People", and "Never Will I Marry". Capitol Records will issue all the titles except "Why Can't I?" and "Do What You Do" on the compilation CD "Judy Live" (CDP 7-92343-2) and "Why Can't I?" on the compilation CD "Classic Judy Garland - The Capitol Years - 1955-1965" (CDP 7243-5-39282-2-3). As of yet, the incomplete recording of "Do What You Do" (Judy's hoarse voice that night only let her sing the vocals for the first verse) has not been released. There's a great first-hand account of the performance on Steve Jarret's site.

1963 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records album "Nat 'King' Cole" is #2 on KTKT 990 AM's Album Sound Of The Day chart in Tucson, Arizona.

1963 - During three sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, trumpet player Jack Sheldon, with unlisted others, records the titles "There Will Never Be Another You", "Days Of Wine And Roses", "That Old Feeling" and "Freaky Friday" at the first session, the titles "On Green Dolphin Street", "What Kind Of Fool Am I?", "The More I See You", and "Merry Old England" at the second session, and the titles "Stella By Starlight", "Forgive Me Waltz", "Soft Winds", and, with Sheldon also on vocals, "Born To Lose" at the third session. Capitol Records will issue "Born To Lose" on Sheldon's album "Oooo,But It's Good!" (T/ST 1963).

1963 - During three sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, vocalist Jean Hoffman, with unlisted others, records the titles "Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be", "Crazy He Calls Me", "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", and "Contrary Motion" at the first session, "Great Day", "Christopher Robin", and "Lass From The Low Country", and the titles "Let My People Go", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", and "Scarlet Ribbons" for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the titles.

1963 - Vocalist Vic Damone, with Jack Parnello conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted) performs the titles "You And The Night And The Music", "When Your Lover Has Gone", "What Kind Of Fool Am I?", "At Long Last Love", "Fascinating Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World", "Adios", "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", "A Lot Of Livin' To Do", "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You", and "On The Street Where You Live" during a live show recorded at Basin Steet East in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Damone's album "Vic Damone At Basin Street East - The Liveliest" (T/ST 1944 on 12" vinyl).

1965 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' single "Help Me Rhonda" with "Kiss Me Baby" on the flipside.

1968 - Final overdubs are recorded for Tony Bruno's titles "Little Men And Women" and "Getting Better" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title as a single (Capitol 2235) with "Didn't We" (recorded May 1, 1968) on the flipside and on Bruno'salbum "I'm Feeling It Now" (ST 2930) and has yet to issue "Getting Better".

1972 - Buck Owens records the title "Ain't It Amazing, Gracie" which Capitol Records will release as a single with "Good Old Days (Are Here Again)" on the flipside.

1972 - Peggy Lee, with Artie Butler conducting his own arrangements to a large orchestra that includs string and percussion sections, records the titles "It Changes" and "Superstar" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Superstar" on Lee's album "Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota" (ST-11077) and both titles in England on the 2 on 1 series CD "I'm A Woman/Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown, North Dakota" (8-74179-2).

1973 - Overdubs are recorded in Los Angeles, California for Kay Adams titles "Ain't It Funny (How The Heart Rules The Mind)", "Reason To Feel", "I Can, I Can", and "Hearts of Stone". Capitol Records will issue the final mixes of "Ain't It Funny (How The Heart Rules The Mind)" and "Reason To Feel" together as a single (Capitol 3692) and the final mixes of "I Can, I Can" and "Hearts Of Stone" together as a single (Capitol 3624).

1973 - Billy May and The Time-Life Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "Afrikaan Beat" featuring Uan Rasey on trumpet, 'I Love Paris", "The Dreamer" featuring Ray Sherman on piano, and "Walk On By" and overdubs for "I Love Paris" and "Walk On By" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Time-Life Records will issue all the titles as part of their "As You Remember Them" series in the three-LP set "Volume 7 - Billy May" (STL 247).

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

1978 - Apple and Capitol Records artist Ringo Starr stars in his first TV special in the United States - an updated version of Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper".

1988 - During two sessions held this day in Nashville, Tennessee, vocalist Johnny Rodriguez, with unlisted others, records the titles "You Might Want To Use Me Again", "I Wanta Wake Up With You", "Someday I'm Gonna Finish Leaving You" at the first session and the titles "She Loves Austin", "Where Do I Go To Surrender", and "My Memory's Gonna Serve You Right" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "You Might Want To Use Me Again" and "She Loves Austin" together as a single (Capitol 44245) and an edited version of "I Wanta Wake Up With You and "Someday I'm Gonna Finish Leaving You" together as a single (Capitol 44204). No issuing information is listed for "Where Do I Go To Surrender" and "My Memory's Gonna Serve You Right".

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1958 - David Seville's Liberty Records single "Witch Doctor", with "Don't Whistle At My Baby" on the flipside, is #1 The Billboard magazine's Best Selling Pop Singles In Stores and Top 100 Sides charts for the second week. Seville (aka Ross Bagdasarian) would use the techniques from this single to create the sound of The Chipmunks.

1980 - Dottie West's United Artists Records single "A Lesson In Leavin'", with "Love's So Easy For Two" on the flipside, becomes her first solo single to reach #1 on the U.S. Country singles chart. United Artists' catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

45 Years Ago Today In 1981 - Sheena Easton's EMI America Records single "Morning Train (Nine To Five)", with "Calm Before The Storm" on the flipside is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. EMI America's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1983 - Vocalist Sheena Easton, with unlisted others, records the title "Just One Smile" in an unlisted studio. EMI America will issue the title in the United States on Easton's album "Best Kept Secret" (ST-17101).

1984 - Count Basie (born William James Basie), composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader, who recorded sessions for (among others) the RCA/Bluebird, Decca, Roulette Jazz, and Pablo labels, died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida. Roulette's catalog is currently owned by Universal Music Group, Capitol Music Group's parent company.

1987 - Cutting Crew's Virgin Records America single "(I Just) Died In Your Arms", with "For the Longest Time" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart, becoming the group and the label's first #1 single in the United States.

1988 - Superblue (Don Sickler on trumpet, Roy Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn, Frank Lacy on trombone, Bobby Watson on alto saxophone, Bill Pierce on tenor saxophone, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Bob Hurst on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums) record the titles "Open Sesame", "Summertime", "Marvelous Marvin", "Time Off", "I Remember Clifford", "Conservation", "Once Forgotten", and "M & M" at recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey for Somethin' Else Records. Blue Note Records will issue all the titles on the group's self-titled album "Superblue" (B1-91731 on 12" vinyl and 7-91731-2 on CD).

1999 - Sinead O'Connor, a former Chrysalis Records artist, is ordained as the first woman priest in the Latin Tridentine Church, a Roman Catholic splinter group, as Mother Bernadette Mary. She will next appear as a performer on this day in 2005 when she makes a live on-stage appearance at the fifth annual Jammy Awards in New York City, New York with the group Burning Spear.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY

1977 - The Studio 54 discothèque opens in New York City, New York and will close on the same date three years later in 1980.

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.