Capitol Records, one of the world's preeminent music companies and the first record label established on the West Coast, will launch its 75th Anniversary Celebration in November with an extensive slate of music, film and literary projects that will pay tribute to Capitol artists spanning the past eight decades and shine a spotlight on their historic contributions to music and popular culture.
Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett today announced three of the company's planned endeavors: A year-long major vinyl reissue campaign – The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection, 75 albums that illustrate the unparalleled artistry of Capitol Records throughout its history – launched in partnership with leading home furnishings destination Crate and Barrel; the publication of a deluxe photograph and essay book from TASCHEN, 75 Years Of Capitol Records, on December 15, and the development of a Capitol Records docuseries being produced by Nigel Sinclair/Whitehorse Pictures (The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan), with individual episodes to be directed by music luminaries and Capitol artists, past and present.
The year-long celebration will commence on Tuesday, November 15 when Capitol becomes the first record company to receive a star of recognition from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which will be installed in front of the landmark Capitol Tower and adjacent to the internationally-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the star's unveiling, the State the Los Angeles City Council will present Capitol with a resolution declaring November 15 Capitol Records Day in the city. Beginning that evening, the spire on top of the Capitol Tower that has always emitted "Hollywood" in Morse code will change to "Capitol 75," and will continue to flash in that manner for the next 12 months.
The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection – Vinyl Reissue Program
To select 75 albums that represent the best of Capitol Records from among literally thousands of works the company has released over the past 75 years, the label convened an advisory board of noted music journalists, authors and renowned creative figures to decide on the final list of albums that comprise The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection. The result spans myriad Capitol eras and musical genres, and includes best sellers, influential works and lesser-known gems (see below). The reissue program begins this month, and titles will be available through music retailers throughout 2017.
Crate and Barrel & American Airlines Partnerships
Leading home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel has partnered with Capitol for its 75th Anniversary celebration to feature The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection in stores nationwide. The collection can be found within The Listening Room, where consumers can find an exclusive collection of furniture, accessories and cutting edge audio equipment. American Airlines continues their partnership with Capitol Records and Universal Music Group to celebrate a Hollywood Icon and its contribution to music around the world. In 2017, American Airlines will continue their commitment to the industry by launching, "Fly to the Beat" – a Global Music platform, connecting consumers to their favorite musicians – including Capitol artists — and moments across five continents.
75 Years of Capitol Records – TASCHEN Release in December
To commemorate Capitol's extraordinary history of recorded music, TASCHEN is publishing the official account of Capitol Records from its founding year of 1942 through to today. To be released December 15, 75 Years of Capitol Records follows the label's evolution and the making of some of the greatest music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The book includes hundreds of images from Capitol's extensive archives, as well as a foreword by Beck and essays by cultural historians and music and architecture critics. This photographic and musical history includes the label's most commercially successful, creative and important artists whose work has defined Capitol Records, music and popular culture for the past eight decades. 75 Years of Capitol Records is also available at Capitol's online store.
Capitol Records Docuseries – Produced by Nigel Sinclair / Whitehorse Pictures
This series – planned for release in the autumn of 2017 – will tap into the creative passions of Capitol's artists, the hidden glories of the company's extensive archives and the many stories that have taken place within the Capitol Tower throughout its 75-year as one of the world's premiere music companies. But it will be more than just the illustrious history of such a storied label; it will also tell the story of America's love affair with popular music and an exploration of how Capitol's artists and their music have helped shaped social movements, transform our popular culture and helped define our lives. This docuseries will be produced by Nigel Sinclair's Whitehorse Pictures, the creative team involved in numerous music-centered documentaries, including the award-winning No Direction Home: Bob Dylan and the just-released The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years. Each episode in this docuseries will be directed by a past or present-day Capitol artist or other cultural luminary who will bring a unique and knowledgeable perspective to the stories being conveyed.
