DECEMBER 17, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
1928 - George Lindsey, comedian, actor and Capitol Records artist (1968 album "Goober Sings") is born in Fairfield, Alabama. Some sources give the year as 1935.
1948 - Jim Bonfanti, drummer with the Capitol Records group The Raspberries as well as the groups Dynamite and Boxer, is born James Alexander Bonfanti in Windber, Pennsylvania

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1945 - Wesley Tuttle (on vocals and guitar) and His Texas Stars (Margie Ann "Fiddlin' Kate" De Vere and Charles Linville on fiddle, Paul Sells on accordion, Merle Travis on guitar, Phil Marx, Jr. on steel guitar, Allen Williams on bass, Jack Turner on drums, and Conrad Cottrell on an unlisted instrument), record the titles "Be Honest With Me", "Don't Live A Lie", "No One Will Ever Know", "Cattle Call", "I Guess I've Been Asleep All These Years", the instrumental "Steel Guitar Rag", "I Hang My Head And Cry", "You Can't Break My Heart", and "You Brought Me Sorrow" at "The Chateau" in Hollywood, California for the Capitol Records Transcription Service which will issue "Be Honest With Me" on disc G-14, "Don't Live A Lie" on disc G-15, "You Brought Sorrow To My Heart" on disc G-16, "You Can't Break My Heart" on disc G-17, "No One Will Ever Know", "Cattle Call", and "I Guess I've Been Asleep All These Years" on disc G-18, "Steel Guitar Rag" on disc G-69, and "I Hang My Head And Cry" on disc G-70. Bear Family Records will issue all the tracks in the box set "Detour" (BCD 16416).
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocalists Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers (June Hutton, Chuck Lowry, Hal Hopper, and Clark Yocum), with Paul Weston and His Orchestra, record the titles "The Peanut Vendor", "The Hills Of California", "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" without Mercer on vocals, "Let's Fly", and "Limehouse Blues" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the titles "The Hills Of California" as a single (Capitol 15051) with "Goofus" (recorded November 19, 1947) on the flipside, "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" as a single (Capitol 489) as by The Pied Pipers with "Mary Lou" (recorded December 5, 1947) on the flipside, "Let's Fly" as a single (Capitol 15337) with "Would Ya?" (recorded December 29, 1947, and "Limehouse Blues" as a single (Capitol 15134) with "I Don't Care Of It Rains All Night" (recorded November 14, 1947). Mosaic Records will issue "The Peanut Vendor", The Hills Of California", and "Limehouse Blues" in the three-CD set "Mosaic Select - Johnny Mercer" (MS-028).
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocalist Jo Stafford, with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "It's Monday Every Day", "Suspicion" with additional vocals by Howard Hudson and Jerry Duane, "Clabberin' Up For Rain" also with additional vocals by Hudson and Duane, and "Trouble In Mind" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "It's Monday Every Day" as a single (Capitol 15040) with "It Was Written In The Stars" (recorded December 31, 1947) on the flipside, "Suspicion" and "Clabberin' Up For Rain" together as a single (Capitol 15068), and "Trouble In Mind" as a single (Capitol 15171) with Stafford's duet with Nat "King" Cole, "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" (recorded March 28, 1946), on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocal group The Starlighters (Vince Degen, Tony Paris, Pauline Byrns, Jerry Duane, and Howard Hudson), with Paul Weston and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the title "The Next Time I Fall In Love" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 500) with "Poinciana" (recorded November 14, 1947) on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Narrator Don Wilson, the vocal group The Starlighters (possibly same as above with additional female vocalist), and unlisted voice actors and foley artist, with unlisted musicians (possibly Paul Weston's orchestra and a string section) using music composed and arranged by Billy May and a script adapted by Alan Livingston, record the title "Little Toot" in two parts at Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both parts of the title on the children's album "Little Toot from Walt Disney's 'Melody Time'" (DAS-80).
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocal group The Dinning Sisters (Ginger Dinning, Jayne Bundesen, and Jean Dinning), with Jack Fascinato and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Melancholy", "Beg Your Pardon", "The Last Thing I Want Is Your Pity", and "Harlem Sandmen" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Melancholy" and "Beg Your Pardon" together as a single (Capitol 490), "The Last Thing I Want Is Your Pity" as a single (Capitol 15074) with "The Bride And Groom Polka" (recorded December 29, 1947) on the flipside, and "Harlem Sandman" as a single (Capitol 15339) with "Oh! Monah" (also recorded December 29, 1947) on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocalist Gordon MacRae, with Carlyle Hall and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted but includes a string section), records the titles "Thoughtless", "Spring In December", "It's The Little Things", "Just A Little Love, A Little Kiss", and "Win Or Lose" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Thoughtless" as a single (Capitol 15027) with "You Were Meant For Me" (recorded December 16, 1947) on the flipside, "Spring In December" as a single (Capitol 15072) with "It's Magic" (also recorded December 16, 1947) on the flipside, has yet to issue either It's The Little Things" or "Just A Little Love, A Little Kiss", and will issue "Win Or Lose" as a single (Capitol 15154) with "At Your Command" (also recorded December 16, 1947) on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Pianist Buddy Cole, with unlisted others, records nine unlisted titles for The Capitol Records Transcription Service in Los Angeles, California. No issuing information is listed.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Guitarist and vocalist T-Bone Walker, with Jack Trainor on trumpet, Bumps Myers on tenor saxophone, Willard McDaniel on piano, Billy Hadnott on bass, and Oscar Lee Bradley on drums, records two takes of the title "Wise Man Blues", two takes of the title "Misfortune Blues", two takes of the title "I Wish You Were Mine", and the title "I'm Gonna Move Out And Get Somebody Else" in Los Angeles, California for Black And Blue Records. Capitol Records will purchase the masters and will issue the second take of "Wise Man Blues" and the second take of "I Wish You Were Mine" on the album "T-Bone Walker - His Original 1945-50 Performances" (T 1958) and all the titles in the three-CD set "Capitol Blues Collection: T-Bone Walker - The Complete Capitol/Black and White Recordings" (8-29379-2).
1948 - Margaret Whiting's Capitol Records single "Far Away Places", with "My Own True Places" enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop Singles chart
1950 - Jan Garber and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the titles "If", "Emma Lou", "Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again" (with Roy Cordell and an unlisted trio on vocals), "Castles In The Sand" (vocals by Roy Cordell), and "Velvet Lips" (again with Roy Cordell and a unlisted trio on vocals) in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "If" and "Castles In The Sand" together as a single (Capitol 1351), "Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again" and "Velvet Lips" together as a single, and "Emma Lou" as a single (Capitol 1392) with "Yearning (Just For You)" (recorded January 10, 1951) on the flipside.
1951 - Vocalist Lou Dinning, with Don Robertson's Music (lineup unlisted), recorded the titles "Trust In Me", "I Still Love You", and "Give Me Time" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Trust In Me" and "I'll Still Love You" together as a single (Capitol 1927) and "Give Me Time" as a single (Capitol 1940) with "Sad" (recorded December 19, 1951) on the flipside.
1951 - At a split session in New York City, New York with Sid Feller conducting his orchestra (lineup unlisted), first vocalist Peggy Lee records the titles "I Love The Way You're Breaking My Heart", "Shame On You", and "Would You Dance With A Stranger?" then vocalist Linda Doherty records the title "What's The Use". Capitol Records will issue "I Love The Way You're Breaking My Heart" on the CD "" (5-27564-2), "Shame On You" and "Would You Dance With A Stranger?" together as a single (Capitol 1926), and "What's The Use" as a single (Capitol 1949) with "Salt Water Tears" (recorded November 20, 1951) on the flipside.
1951 - Mastering sessions are held in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records' promo album "Preview Of Capitol Releases January-March 1952" of "Popular Album Voice Tracks" and "Classical Album 1952 Voice Tracks".
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Capitol Records releases Ray Anthony's single "Mr. Anthony's Boogie" with "I Wonder What's Become Of Sally" on the flipside.
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Vocalist Yma Sumac records final vocal overdubs on to music tracks recorded by Alexander Borisoff and His Orchestra that were recorded on October 20, 1952 for the title "Incacho (Royal Anthem)" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final mix of the title on Yma Sumac's and Moises Vivanco's album "Inca Taqui" (H/L-423).
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Vocalist and guitarist Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys (Amos Lee Hedrick and Robert "Bob" White on fiddles, Gilbert "Gil" Baca on piano, Billy Raymond Carson and Billy Gray also on guitars, Wayma "Pee Wee" Whitewing on steel guitar, Billy Briggs Stewart on bass, and Paul McGhee on drums) record the titles "Yesterday's Girl", "John Henry", "The Letter Edged In Black" and "Mother, Queen Of My Heart" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys' album "Songs of The Brazos Valley" (H-418).
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, conductor Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights (complete lineup unlisted), record the titles "Saxa-Heidtus" featuring Skeets Herfurt, Eddie Miller, and Maxwell Davis on saxophones, "Oh Marie", "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" featuring Conley Graves on piano, and "Goofus" featuring Bud Messenie on trumpet and vocals at the first session and the title "Lady Of Spain" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue all the titles except "Oh Marie" on Horace Heidt And His Musical Knights' album "Souvenirs" (H-402).
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Vocalist Kay Starr, with Harold Mooney directing the orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "When My Dreamboat Comes Home", "Half A Photograph" and "Swamp Fire" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which will reject all the takes recorded at this session and will have Starr re-record them at later dates.
65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Cellist Joseph Schuster, with Franz Waxman conducting The Los Angeles Orchestral Society (lineup unlisted), records Schumann's "Concerto In A Minor For Cello And Orchestra" and Bach's "Concerto In C Minor For Cello And Orchestra) in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both titles on the album "BACH - Concerto In C Minor For Cello And Orchestra/BRUCH - Kol Nidrei, Opus 47/SCHUMANN - Concerto In A Minor, Opus 129 For Cello And Orchestra" (P-8232).
1953 - Jean Sheppard records the track "Two Whoops and a Holler" which will be released by Capitol Records as the flip side of the single "Why Did You Wait" (Capitol F2791)
1955 - Frank Sinatra's Capitol Records single "(Love Is) The Tender Trap", with "Weep They Will" on the flipside, enters the top 40 of the U.S. Pop Singles chart
1955 - Felix Slatkin conducts The Concert Arts Orchestra (lineup unlisted) as the record the titles "Petite Suite, Part 1", "Petite Suite, Part 2", and "Petite Suite, Part 4" in Los Angeles, California. After the group records "Petite Suite, Part 3" on December 18, 1955, Capitol Records will issue the entire suite on the orchestra's album "DEBUSSY - Petite Suite/Children's Corner Suite" (P-8328).
1955 - Ferlin Husky (on vocals) and His Hush Puppies (lineup unlisted), record the titles "Daddy's Little Girl", "Nothing Looks As Good As You", "You Make Me Feel Funny, Honey", and a as yet unissued take of "My Shadow" in Nashville, Tennesse. Capitol Records will issue "Daddy's Little Girl" and "You Make Me Fell Funny, Honey" on Husky's album "Songs Of The Home And Heart" (T 718) and "Nothing Looks As Good As You" as a single (Capitol F3522) with "Waiting" (recorded December 14, 1955) on the flipside.
1956 - Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Tommy Collins, with J. R. "Jelly" Sanders on fiddle), Alvis "Buck" Owens on lead guitar, Lewis Talley also on rhythm guitar, and Charles Lee "Fuzzy" Owen on bass, records the titles "Don't You Love Me Anymore", "Retirement In Heaven" with vocals by Wanda Collins, "All Of The Monkeys Ain't In The Zoo", and "What Have You Done?" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Don't You Love Me Anymore" and "All Of The Monkeys Ain't In The Zoo" together as a single (Capitol F3665) and Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany on Collins' five CD box set "Leonard" (BCD 15577).
1956 - Solo pianist George Shearing records "Medley #2" and "Medley #3" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records has yet to issue either title.
1956 - Trumpet player Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Art DePew, Jules Chaikin, and Jack Holman also on trumpet, Jimmy Henderson, 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, Mike Apruzzese (Abruze) on guitar, Don Simpson on bass and Bill Richmond on drums) record the titles "Ev'rytime It Happens" (aka "Ev'rytime) with vocals by Sue Raney (some sources credit vocals to Eileen Wilson) and "Rock Around The Rockpile" and "The Girl Can't Help It", both with vocals by Med Flory, in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on the soundtrack for "The Girl Can't Help It" (EAP-1-823).
1956 - Guy Lombardo conducts His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) and vocalist Kenny Gardner as they record the titles "Where Or When", "The Surry With The Fringe On The Top", "People Will Say We're In Love" without Gardner, and "Tears In Your Eyes" with Garnder back in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first three titles on Lombardo's album "" (T 916) and "Tears In Your Eyes" as a single (Capitol F3613) with "I Won't Let You Out Of My Heat" (recorded December 10, 1951) on the flipside.
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - It's a Tuesday and at 7:30 PM EST, the 57th and final episode of "The Nat 'King' Cole Show" airs on NBC-TV with guests Billy Eckstine and The Cheerleaders. The series is canceled because the network, and the show's producers, can't find any national advertisers willing to sponsor it due to Cole's race.
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Vocalist Tommy Sands, with unlisted others, records a take of "Sing Boy Sing" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records which has yet to issue this take. Sands will record another take of the title on December 18, 1957 that will be issued.
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Vocalist Gordon MacRae, with Van Alexander and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "Lost In The Stars", "I Believe", "Where Or When", and "So In Love" in The Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on MacRae's album "Gordon MacRae In Concert" (T/ST 980).
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Pianist Joe Bushkin, with an orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the titles "There's A Small Hotel", "The Lady Is A Tramp", "Love Me Or Leave Me", and an untitled original title in New York City, New York for Capitol Records which has yet to issue any of the takes recorded at this date. Bushkin will record new takes of "There's A Small Hotel", "The Lady Is A Tramp", and "Love Me Or Leave Me" at later dates that will be issued by Capitol.

1961 - Pianist Leonard Pennario, with Alfred Newman conducting The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, records George Gershwin's "Cuban Overture" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the title on Pennario's album "GERSHWIN By Starlight" (P-8581) and Angel Records will reissue the title on Pennario's album "Leonard Pennario Plays Gershwin" (S-36070).
55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Nat "King" Cole's Capitol Records single "Dear Lonely Hearts" is #19 on CHUM 1050 AM's Chum Hit Parade in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Pianist George Shearing, with organist Clare Fischer conducting his own arrangements to Don Shelton, John Lowe, Bernie Fleisher, Bud Shank, and Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt on woodwinds, Larry Bunker on vibraphone, Laurindo Almeida on guitar, Ralph Pena on bass, Bob Neal on drums, and Chico Guerrero on percussion, records the titles "One Note Samba", "Manha De Carnaval", and "Samba De Borboleta" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "One Note Samba" and "Manha De Carnaval" on Shearing's album "Shearing Bossa Nova" (T/ST 1873) and have yet to issue the take of "Samba De Borboleta" recorded at this date but will issue a take recorded at a later date.
55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the titles "La La La La La La La La" and "It's Such A Happy Day" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles together as a single (Capitol 4933) and on the album "The Best Of Jackie Gleason" (W/SW 2796).
55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Billy Duke, with unlisted others, records the titles "Goodbye Stranger", "The Millionaire", "What's This", and "Statue Of Liberty" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Goodbye Stranger" and "The Millionaire" together as a single (Capitol 4907) and has yet to issue either "What's This" or "Statue Of Liberty".
55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Organist Virgil Fox, with unlisted others, records Mascagni's "Intermezzo (From 'Cavalleria Rusticana')" and Schubert's "Ave Maria" in Riverside Church in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both titles on Fox's album "Songs At Sunset" (P/SP-8587).

1963 - James Carroll, a DJ at WWDC (in Washington, DC), starts playing a copy of The Beatles' Parlophone single "I Want To Hold Your Hand", which Carroll's stewardess girlfriend brought back for him from England. Due to listener demand, the station will play the song once an hour for days. Capitol initially considered court action, since the label hasn't released the single in the United States yet, but will instead release the single earlier than planned on January 13, 1964.
1965 - Capitol Records artist Judy Garland becomes the first singer to headline a show in the new Houston Astrodome. Her opening act was The Supremes. Garland was paid $43,000 (with inflation that is equal to $323,982.48 in 2015) for the one show.
1965 - The Dillards (lineup unlisted), record the as yet unissued takes of the titles "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" and "I've Just Seen A Face" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1965 - At a split session held this day in Los Angeles, California, first  Glen Campbell (on vocals with unlisted others) records the titles "Can't You See I'm Tryin'?" and "A Satisfied Mind" then Question Marks (lineup unlisted) records a as yet unissued take of the title "Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey". Capitol Records will issue both of Campbell's titles together as a single (Capitol 5638).
1965 - Sonny James (on vocals, with unlisted others), records the titles "On The Fingers Of One Hand", "Don't Cut Timber On A Windy Day", and "Take Me Back" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the first two titles on James' album "True Love's A Blessing" (T 2500) and "Take Me Back" on James' album "I'll Never Find Another You" (T 2788).
1965 - Peter And Gordon (Peter Asher and Gordon Waller on vocals), with unlisted others, records the titles "Please Help Me I'm Falling", "Sweet Dreams", and "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the songs on the duo's album "Sing And Play The Hits Of Nashville" (T 2430).
1966 - Capitol Records releases Merle Haggard's single "The Fugitive", written by Liz Anderson, with "Someone Told My Story" on the flipside. The single will become Haggard's first #1 on the Country singles charts.
1970 - Ferlin Husky (on vocals with unlisted others), records the titles "One More Time", "Snowbird", and "Statue Of A Fool" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the songs on Ferlin Husky And His Hush Puppies' album "One More Time" (ST-768).
1971 - During two sessions held this day in Nashville, Tennessee, vocalist Bobbie Roy, with unlisted others, records the titles "Lovin' Come Easy When It's You", "Forget Me Nots", "The World's Not Ready Yet" and "Don't Build You House Upon The Sand" at the first session and the titles "I'm Your Woman", "One Woman's Trash (Is Another Woman's Treasure)", "Candle In The Wind", and "I Wanted So to Say It" at the second session.  Capitol Records will issue "Forget Me Nots", "Don't Build Your House Upon The Sand", "I'm Your Woman", and "One Woman's Trash (Is Another Woman's Treasure)" on Roy's album "I'm Your Woman" (ST-11086), "The World's Not Ready Yet" as a single (Capitol 3711) with "Things Are Lookin' Good" (recorded June 5, 1973) on the flipside, "Candle In The Wind" as a single (Capitol 3428) with "Leavin' On Your Mind" (recorded May 11, 1972) on the flipside, "I Wanted So To Say It" as a single (Capitol 3477) with "I Like Everything About Loving You" (recorded July 24, 1972) on the flipside, and has yet to issue "Lovin' Comes Easy When It's You".
1976 - Tavares (lineup unlisted) recorded the titles "One Step Away", "Keep In Touch", and "Out Of The Picture" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Tavares' album "Love Storm" (STAO-11628).
1980 - Sheree Brown (on vocals, with unknown accompaniment) records the titles "It's A Pleasure" and "Never Do You Wrong" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both songs on Brown's album "Straight Ahead" (ST-12153).
1981 - Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band (lineup unlisted) recorded the title "East L.A." in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issued the title as a single (Capitol 5413) as the flipside of "Understanding" from the soundtrack of "Teachers".
1986 - During two sessions held this day at The Music Mill studios in Nashville, Tennessee, vocalist Tanya Tucker, with unlisted others, records the title "If It Don't Come Easy" at the first session and the title "If I Didn't Love You" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "If It Don't Come Easy" as a single (Capitol 44142) with Tucker's "I'll Tennessee You In My Dreams" (recorded December 18, 1956) on the flipside and "If I Didn't Love You" as a single (Capitol 44036) with "Love Me Like You Used To" (also recorded December 18, 1986) on the flipside.
1986 - The group Waysted (lineup unlisted) records the title "Fire Under The Wheels" at a unlisted location. Capitol Records will issue the title as a single (Capitol 5685) with "Heaven Tonight" (master registered on November 14, 1986) on the flipside.
1993 - Blind Melon's self-titled Capitol Records album is certified double platinum by the R.I.A.A.

ON THIS DAY NOT IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1903 - Ray Noble, bandleader, arranger, radio and motion picture actor and composer ("Goodnight Sweetheart", "Cherokee", "Love is the Sweetest Thing", "The Very Thought of You", and many more) is born Raymond Stanley Noble in Brighton, England
1968 - Columbia Records in the U.K. releases Pink Floyd's single "Point Me At The Sky" with "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" on the flipside which will be the group's last single for eleven years