Capitol Records Plans 75th Anniversary Celebration

Capitol Records will launch its 75th anniversary celebration this month with what’s described in a company press release as “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.”

Plans include a yearlong, major vinyl reissue campaign, The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection, 75 albums (see complete list at bottom) that “illustrate the unparalleled artistry of Capitol Records throughout its history.” The vinyl reissue program will be launched this month in partnership with Crate and Barrel. The anniversary celebration will also include the publication of a deluxe photograph and essay book, 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.

Related: Which landmark Capitol single was released on December 26, 1963? Read on…

The celebration will commence on 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 Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the star’s unveiling, 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.

Capitol Tower in Los Angeles

Regarding the vinyl reissues, the label press release states: “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.

TASCHEN is publishing the official account of Capitol Records from its founding year of 1942 through to the present. To be released December 15, 75 Years of Capitol Records follows the label’s evolution and includes hundreds of images from Capitol’s extensive archives. Pre-order and details are available here.

The Capitol Records Docuseries 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.”

Watch Linda Ronstadt sing “Heart Like a Wheel”

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