Capitol Records 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection
(alphabetical by artist)
1 Ashford & Simpson Solid 1984
2 Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique 1989
3 Beck Morning Phase 2014
4 Blind Melon Blind Melon 1992
5 Bob Seger Night Moves 1976
6 Bobbie Gentry Ode To Billy Joe 1967
7 Bobby Darin You’re The Reason I’m Living 1963
8 Bonnie Raitt Nick of Time 1989
9 Bonnie Raitt Luck Of The Draw 1991
10 Buck Owens Buck Owens 1961
11 Cannonball Adderley Mercy Mercy Mercy 1966
12 Coldplay Parachutes 2000
13 Crowded House Crowded House 1986
14 Dean Martin Dino: Italian Love Songs 1962
15 Duke Ellington The Duke Plays Ellington 1953
16 Foo Fighters Foo Fighters 1994
17 Frank Sinatra In The Wee Small Hours 1955
18 Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! 1956
19 Frank Sinatra Come Fly With Me 1958
20 Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely 1958
21 Freddie Jackson Rock Me Tonight 1985
22 Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Bluejean Bop 1956
23 George Clinton Computer Games 1982
24 George Harrison All Things Must Pass 1970
25 Glen Campbell By the Time I Get to Phoenix 1968
26 Grand Funk Railroad We’re an American Band 1973
27 Heart Heart 1985
28 James Taylor James Taylor 1968
29 Joe South Introspect 1968
30 John Lennon Imagine 1971
31 Johnny Mercer Accentuate the Positive 1957
32 Judy Garland Judy at Carnegie Hall 1961
33 Katy Perry Teenage Dream 2010
34 Kingston Trio Kingston Trio 1958
35 Knack Get The Knack 1979
36 Les Paul and Mary Ford Les and Mary 1955
37 Linda Ronstadt Heart Like a Wheel 1974
38 Louie Prima The Wildest 1956
39 Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly 1977
40 Mazzy Star So Tonight That I Might See 1993
41 MC Hammer Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em 1990
42 Megadeth Peace Sells 1986
43 Merle Haggard Mama Tried 1968
44 Miles Davis Birth Of The Cool 1957
45 Nancy Wilson How Glad I Am 1964
46 Nat King Cole Unforgettable 1953
47 Natalie Cole Unpredictable 1977
48 Neil Diamond The Jazz Singer 1980
49 Norah Jones Come Away With Me 2002
50 Peggy Lee Is That All There Is 1969
51 Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 1973
52 Radiohead OK Computer 1997
53 Raspberries Raspberries 1972
54 Richard Thompson Rumor & Sigh 1991
55 Ringo Starr Ringo 1973
56 Robert Glaspar Black Radio 2012
57 Rosanne Cash Black Cadillac 2006
58 Sam Smith In The Lonely Hour 2014
59 Steve Miller Band Fly Like an Eagle 1976
60 Tavares In The City 1975
61 Tennessee Ernie Ford Sixteen Tons 1960
62 The Band Music From Big Pink 1968
63 The Band The Band 1969
64 The Beach Boys Surfer Girl 1963
65 The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 1966
66 The Beatles Meet The Beatles 1964
67 The Beatles Revolver 1966
68 The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967
69 The Beatles The Beatles 1968
70 The Beatles Abbey Road 1970
71 Tina Turner Private Dancer 1984
72 Various Oklahoma 1955
73 Various Funny Girl 1968
74 Wanda Jackson There’s a Party Goin’ On 1961
75 Wings Band on the Run 1973 – See more at: http://www.capitolrecords.com/capitol-records-to-launch-year-long-75th-anniversary-celebration/#sthash.3j8NmgM5.dpuf
