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Capitol Records 15 images Created 25 Sep 2019

The Capitol Records Company was founded in 1942 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, songwriter/movie producer Buddy DeSylva, and music store owner Glenn Wallich. At the time, Wallich's Music City was the biggest record store in Hollywood. Mercer had the idea to start a record company where artists and musicians could play more of an integral role. He agreed to deal with the talent - if Wallich would run the business.

Wallich presented a free copy their first album "Capitol Presents Songs By Johnny Mercer”, a three 78-rpm set featuring the recordings of Mercer, Stafford and the Pied Pipers, accompanied by Paul Weston's Orchestra, to LA disc jockey Peter Potter in order to promote the new label. Capitol was the first company to try this marketing tact, and by the mid-1950s, became a hugely successful label, thanks to the popular music of legends like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Jackie Gleason, Andy Griffith, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, and the Andrew Sisters.

Their rapid expansion required larger facilities, so the site at 1750 North Vine Street was purchased and the groundbreaking ceremony for the world’s first circular office building took place in 1954. The building, designed by Louis Naidorf for Welton Becket Architects, is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks and an Historic Cultural Monument.

Due to its association with British recording company EMI, Capitol took part in bringing The Beatles to America in 1964. Capitol was also instrumental in the careers of The Band, Pink Floyd, Linda Rondstat, The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, the Steve Miller Band, and many more.
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  • 1957 Capitol Records Tower on Vine St.
    CR-008.tif
  • 1959 Capitol Records Tower on Vine St.
    CR-010.tif
  • 1959 Capitol Records Tower from Hollywood Blvd & Vine St.
    CR-012.tif
  • 1963 Capitol Records Tower with Christmas tree of lights
    CR-014.tif
  • 1963 Capitol Records Tower on Vine St. with Christmas tree of lights
    CR-015.tif
  • 1963 Capitol Records on Vine St. at Christmas time
    CR-016.tif
  • 1968 Capitol Records on Vine St. at Hollywood Blvd.
    CR-019.tif
  • 1976 Capitol Records on Vine St.
    CR-020.tif
  • 1958 Nat King Cole recording at Capitol Records in Hollywood
    CR-022.tif
  • 1955 Excavation for Capitol Records Tower
    CR-001.tif
  • 1955 Excavation for Capitol Records Tower on Vine Street
    CR-002.tif
  • 1954 Excavation for Capitol Records Tower
    CR-003.tif
  • 1955 Excavation for Capitol Records Tower on Vine Street
    CR-004.tif
  • 1955 Capitol Records Tower under construction on Vine St.
    CR-006.tif
  • 1955 Capitol Records Tower on Vine St.
    CR-007.tif