APRIL 12, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1908 or in 1913 or 1914 - Some sources give this as the birthdate of Lionel Hampton, drummer, band leader, vibraphone player, percussionist, solo artist and with Capitol Records artist Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, but the majority say that Lionel Leo Hampton was born April 20, 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment.
1918 - Helen Forrest, singer with the bands of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, and a Capitol Records solo artist (1955, with the album "Voice Of The Name Bands"), is born in Atlantic City, New Jersey
1967 - Mellow Man Ace, rapper, songwriter, brother of Sen Dog of the group Cypress Hill, and a Capitol Records artist, is born Ulpiano Sergio Reyes in Pinar del Rio, Cuba

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1963 - Dick Dale signs with Capitol Records
40 Years Ago Today In 1971 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens single "Ruby (Are You Mad)", which will peak at #3 on December 4, 1971, with "Heartbreak Mountain" on the flip side
1989 - Liberty Records (later renamed Capitol Records Nashville) releases Garth Brooks' album "Garth Brooks"
1998 - James B. Conkling, one time VP at Capitol Records, who went on to be president of Columbia Records, co-founder of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, helped launch and was first president of Warner Bros. Records, married Donna King (member of the Capitol Records group The King Sisters), father of actress Xandra Conkling (aka Donna Alexandra Conkling) and actor and screenwriter Chris Conkling, dies at Sutter Oaks Alzheimer's Hospital in Sacramento, California at age 83

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
45 Years Ago Today In 1966 - Jan Berry, songwriter, record producer, singer and Liberty Records artist as part of the duo Jan And Dean, crashes his white Corvette in Los Angeles, California suffering severe physical and mental injuries from which he will never fully recover but will be able to perform again

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1954 - Bill Haley And His Comets' have their first session for Decca Records at the Pythian Temple in New York City, New York, where they record the track "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock"