Capitol Records - A Rich History

Capitol Records was founded in 1942 by singer/ songwriter Johnny Mercer, electronics inventor/music store owner Glenn Wallichs, and songwriter/Broadway and motion picture producer/and then Production Head of Paramount Pictures B.G. “Buddy” DeSylva.

Capitol Records officially opened for business on June 4, 1942 in a small 15’x50’ second floor office at 1483 Vine Street, just south of Sunset Boulevard (currently the entrance to the Bank of America parking structure), above Sy Devore’s Tailor Shop. The organization would become the first major record company to have its world headquarters in Hollywood, emphasizing the close relationship between the music industry and motion pictures, radio and, eventually, television.
Realizing the importance of radio and magazines in building consumer interest and demand, co-founder Glenn Wallichs opened a new era in record promotion by making Capitol Records the first company to give disc jockeys and reviewers complimentary advance copies of product prior to release to stores. Wallichs would even hand-deliver the first copies of Capitol’s releases to some of Hollywood’s local disc jockeys.

On July 1, 1942, the label released its first nine 78rpm singles, which included “I Found A New Baby” by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (The first act singed, and the first song recorded, by Capitol Records), Freddie Slack’s “Cow Cow Boogie” (Capitol Records’ first big hit) with vocals by 17-year-old Ella Mae Morse, and “Strip Polka” by co-founder Johnny Mercer (the first time he had sung and recorded one of his own songs for commercial release with the added bonus of guest vocals by comedian Phil Silvers).

In 1944 the company released its first album entitled SONGS BY JOHNNY MERCER by the Pied Pipers. 1944 was also the year that Capitol Records’ Dave Dexter, Jr. was able to lure Peggy Lee out of retirement to begin recording for the label starting with the all-star multi-artist album New American Jazz produced by Dexter.

1945 was another year of firsts for Capitol Records with The King Cole Trio’s self-titled album becoming the labels first number one album and Johnny Mercer’s “On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” becoming the label’s first number one single.

On March 2, 1946, Betty Hutton would be come the first solo female Capitol Artist to hit number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart with “Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief” Also in 1946 Capitol Records would move into bigger and better offices at 1507 Vine Street on the second floor the building that also housed Wallichs’ Music City on the north west corner of Sunset and Vine (soon to be a new apartment and shopping complex). It would be the year that Capitol got its first number 1 country hit with recently signed Merle Travis’ “Divorce Me C.O.D.”, release its first Broadway Cast Album, Johnny Mercer’s “St. Louis Woman”, and become one of the top 4 record companies in the U.S. In September of 1946 Capitol issued a recording that would affect generations of children - the first Bozo the Clown disc - BOZO AT THE CIRCUS. Created, written and produced by then vice-president of the new children’s division, Alan W. Livingston, the record contained another first, the Record Reader, which allowed children to read along, turning the pages when given an audio cue. The success of this record, and the many millions of other “Bozo Approved” children’s records and licensed products that were to be sold, made Capitol Records the leader in that market for the following decade.

1947 brought Nat “King” Cole’s first solo recording “Nature Boy.”

In 1949, the label began producing 45 and 33 rpm discs becoming the first record company to release its product in all three speeds. Also that year, Capitol opened its own recording studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue (the current home of television station KCAL-9) in Hollywood and became the first record company to record on magnetic tape. Also in 1949, in order to support the new forms of R&B, Country and especially Jazz music, Capitol signed and recorded many new artists including Miles Davis, who recorded the tracks that would become the seminal album THE BIRTH OF THE COOL in Capitol’s New York Studios.

The ‘40s would also see releases by such popular artists as Dennis Day, Martha Tilton, Connie Haines, Bobby Sherwood, Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra, Stan Kenton, Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, Benny Carter, Andy Russell, Billy Butterfield, Jerry Colonna, Betty Hutton, Johnny Johnston, Paul Weston, Sam Donahue and His Orchestra, Skitch Henderson, Alvino Rey and His Orchestra, Clark Dennis, Hal Derwin, The Dinning Sisters, Red Ingle and The Natural Seven, Freddie Martin, Jack Smith, Jan Garber, Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee, Blu Lu Barker, Gordon MacRae, The Sportsmen, Mel Blanc, Jimmy Wakely, Cliffie Stone, Art Van Damme, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Kay Starr, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Mel Torme, Mickey Katz and Yogi Yorgesson

1951 would bring Capitol Records first million selling single, “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette” by Tex Williams as well as the first multi-track recoding to reach number 1 on the pop charts, Les Paul and Mary Ford’s “How High The Moon”

By August of 1952, Nat “King” Cole and The King Cole Trio are responsible for sales of 15 million records.

In January of 1953 Jackie Gleason released his debut Capitol Records album MUSIC FOR LOVERS ONLY, which would spend 17 weeks at number 1 and stay on the album charts for more than 2 years. Frank Sinatra was signed to Capitol by Alan W. Livingston and had his first session at Capitol's studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue on April 2. On October 10 Stan Freberg’s “St. George and The Dragonet” became Capitol’s first comedy record to reach number 1 on the pop charts.

On January 15 1955, a majority interest in Capitol was purchased by Electric Musical Industries (EMI) of Great Britain (their west coast offices are located on the top floor of The Tower).

February 22, 1956 sees the first recording session in the new Capitol Studios built as part of The Capitol Tower at 1750 Vine Street which officially opens on April 6. 1956 also sees Capitol records first step into Rock ‘n’ Roll with A&R executive Ken Nelson signing Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps and producing the studio version of their soon to be top 10 hit “Be Bop A Lula.”

On January 2, 1957 Capitol acquires classical label Angel Records which makes it first release in August 1958.

On July 8, 1958 - Capitol is awarded the Recording Industry In America’s first ever gold album for the Motion Picture Soundtrack to “Oklahoma!” and Laurie London’s single “He’s Got The Whole World (In His Hands)" receives one of the first gold singles. 1958 also sees Capitol releasing its first stereo album and Capitol’s biggest folk hit with The Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley” going number 1 on November 17 and will be awarded one of the first Grammy Awards in May of 1959.

The ‘50s would also see releases by such popular artists as Benny Goodman, Harry James, Yma Sumac, Les Baxter, William “Hopalong Cassidy” Boyd, Ray Anthony, Joe “Fingers” Carr, Pee Wee Hunt, Nelson Riddle, Hank Thompson, Jane Froman, Faron Young, John Standley, Billy May, Clyde McCoy, Sonny James, Walter Schumann, The Four Knights, The Five Keys, Jean Shepard, Ferlin Husky, The Andrew Sisters, June Christy, The Four Freshmen, “Deacon” Andy Griffith, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Louis Armstrong, Don Robertson, Tommy Sands, The Four Preps, Robert Preston, Jonah Jones, Dakota Stanton, The Johnny Otis Show, Laurindo Almeida, Robert Wagner and The Robert Wagner Chorale, Keely Smith and Louis Prima, and Frank Pourcel.

On April 28, 1961, Judy Garland’s bravura performance at Carnagie Hall was rushed released and “Judy At Carnagie Hall” spends 13 weeks at number 1 on the album charts and goes on to win 4 Grammy Awards.

In the Spring of 1962, 21 year old A&R man Nick Venet signs The Beach Boys with their debut single “Surfin’ Sufari coming out in August. July sees the signing of Bobby Darin. Also signed that year are Nancy Wilson and Glen Campbell.

1963 sees Capitol signs Wayne Newton early in the year and The Beatles in November.

April 4, 1964 and The Beatles hold the entire top 5 spots on Billboard’s Hot 100 simultaneously, a record that has yet to be beaten.

April 1966 and Capitol Records releases its first 8 track, Judy Garland’s “Judy At Carnagie Hall”.

August 26, 1967 sees Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billie Joe” become the first solo female Capitol artist to have number 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Kay Starr’s “Wheel Of Fortune” went number 1 on March 15, 1952.

August 3, 1968 sees the release of Capitol Records first cassette tape “Sounds of the Great Bands”.

The ‘60s would see other popular artists coming out on Capitol Records such as the Lettermen, Lou Rawls, Al Martino, Kyu Sakamoto, Barbra Streisand, Buck Owens, Peter & Gordon, Merle Haggard, Cannonball Adderly, Earle Doud and Alen Robin, The Seekers, The Outsiders, Bobbie Gentry, The Stone Poneys (featuring vocalist Linda Ronstadt), The Steve Miller Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Band, Fred Neil, Mary Hopkin, Joe South, The Bob Seger System, Human Beinz, and Jimi Hendrix.

1970 would see Anne Murray signed to Capitol and her becoming the first Canadian female artist to have both her album “Snowbird” and her single “Snowbird” receive Gold records. Also in 1971 Linda Rondstadt will start her solo career. April 17, 1970 would see Paul McCartney's first solo album released, with a press release announcing his leaving The Beatles, ending the band. Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr go on to stellar solo careers in this decade.

August 1, 1971 would see the first superstar Rock ‘N’ Roll benefit show when George Harrison puts on “The Concert For Bangladesh”.

December 9, 1972 would see Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman” become Capitol’s first non-Beatle number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart since Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billie Joe" hit #1 on August 29, 1967.

1973 sees the release of Pink Floyd’s album DARK SIDE OF THE MOON which will go to sell over 15 million copies and stay on the Billboard Album Charts for over 10 years.

May 15, 1976 will see the Sylvers “Boogie Fever” become Capitol’s first R&B act to hit number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart

The ‘70s would see releases from such popular artists as: Grand Funk Railroad, Bloodrock, Pink Floyd, Badfinger, The Pipkins, Joy Of Cooking, Paul McCartney and Wings, John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band, Freddie Hart, Leo Kottke, Raspberries, Edward Bear, Skylark, Hurricane Smith, Andy Kim, Dr. Hook, Little River Band, Natalie Cole, Sweet, Tavares, Steve Miller Band, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Bob Welch, A Taste Of Honey, Peabo Bryson, Sun, The Motels, The Knack and April Wine
1982 would see the creation, with Capitol Records-EMI Canada, of the XDR tape technology that would expand the dynamic range of cassette tapes.

On August 14, 1984 Capitol Records releases its first CD - Pink Floyd’s DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. Also in 1984, Blue Note Records president Bruce Lundvall is brought in to launch the Manhattan label based in New York which will eventually be incorporated into the EMI America label.

The release in 1987 of The Beatles catalog on CD lead thousands into electronics stores to buy their first CD players.

In late 1989 Capitol Nashville would become Liberty Records under president Jimmy Bowen and becomes the first country division of one of the major labels in Nashville to be independent from its corporate offices in terms of signing, business affairs, international, sales, promotion , finance and production. Also in 1989 would be the launch of Capitol’s acclaimed Collectors’ Series which would mine the company’s vaults for both the original master recordings of hits and unreleased gems from the great artists that are part of Capitol’s history and include authoritative liner notes and complete annotation of the tracks.

The ‘80s would see releases from such popular artists as: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Neil Diamond, Delbert McClinton, Billy Squier, Duran Duran, Anne Murray, Juice Newton, The Tubes, Iron Maiden, Little River Band, George Clinton, Thomas Dolby, Missing Persons, The Motels, Peabo Bryson, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Ashford & Simpson, Queen, Freddie Jackson, Arcadia, Power Station, Katrina & The Waves, Poison, Tanya Tucker, Billy Vera & The Beaters, Sly Fox, The Doobie Brothers, Martha Davis, Great White, Crowded House, M.C. Hammer, Megadeth, Richard Thompson, The Beastie Boys, BeBe and Cece Winans, Sheriff, Garth Brooks, Donny Osmond, Ann Wilson & Robin Zander.

1990 would see M.C. Hammer’s “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em” become the first Rap album to spawn 3 top 10 singles.

1992 would see a massive celebration of Capitol Records’ 50th anniversary.

Capitol Records enters cyberspace in 1994 with the start of its internet site hollywoodandvine.com.

Released in 1998, Radiohead’s MEETING PEOPLE IS EASY was Capitol Records’ first Home Video on DVD.

The ‘90s would see releases from such popular artists as: Bonnie Raitt, Eric Johnson, The Whispers, Mellow Man Ace, The Cover Girls, Richard Marx, Young MC, Tracie Spencer, Tommy Henriksen, Everclear, Block, Sonichrome, Liz Phair, Cocteau Twins, Butthole Surfers, Mazzy Star, Des’ree, Radiohead, Kendall Payne, Meredith Brooks, Bran Van 3000, Marcy Playground, Spearhead, Foo Fighters, The Moffatts, Second Coming, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Robbie Robertson, Robbie Williams, Push Stars and the Kottonmouth Kings.

Capitol Records enters the new millennium with releases by Bosson, Dilated Peoples, Moist, Vega, Sunday, Tara MacLean, Shivaree, Sammie, Dandy Warhols, Rachelle Ferrell, Pru, Dexter Freebish, Amy Corriea, Auf Der Maur, Coldplay, Idlewild, Cole, Splashdown, Methrone, Shannon McNally, Stir, Matthew Jay, OTEP, Sparklehorse, and Dave Navarro.

Now more than half way through the first decade of a new century, the hits keep on coming with releases by Ak'sent, Ambulent, Roseanne Cash, Cherish, Chingy, Faith Evans, Fischerspooner, Hurt, Javier, Letoya, Shelby Lynn, The Magic Numbers, Morningwood, OK Go, The Redwalls, Relient K, Reeve Oliver, Saosin, Shout Out Louds, Annie Stella, Skye Sweetnam, The F-Ups, Van Hunt, The Vines and Yellowcard.