Capitol Records celebrates 75th anniversary: Releases

As part of Capitol’s 75th anniversary, “Meet The Beatles” will be available on vinyl again.

CAPITOL RECORDS TO LAUNCH YEAR-LONG 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN NOVEMBER

Hollywood, CA – Capitol Records, one of the world’s preeminent music companies and the first record label established on the West Coast, will launch its 75thAnniversary 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 docu series 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.

Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – USA edition

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 Docu series – 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.

Revolver – Capitol records edition.

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 (would be nice if they used the Apple label)

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, 1969

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

For Beatles fans, the big news here is that “Meet The Beatles” gets a re-release on vinyl. It was deleted on vinyl when The Beatles’ catalogue was streamlined in 1987 to consist of just the UK albums, but has been brought back as a CD on two occasions. But will it be in “Duophonic” stereo this time? 😉 We have no information about whether “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” will feature the yellow line on the top of the cover or whether or not it will contain the dog whistle and the gibberish at the end of the record, or if “Revolver” will be missing three songs. It probably will, though.