Capitol Records will launch its 75th Anniversary Celebration in November with an extensive slate of music, film and literary projects.
The UMG-owned label says the year-long project will 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 cornerstones of the anniversary:
- A year-long major vinyl reissue campaign, The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection, encompassing 75 albums that ‘illustrate the artistry of Capitol Records throughout its history’ – launched in partnership with home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel. The reissue program begins this month, and titles will be available through music retailers throughout 2017. Crate and Barrel will feature The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection in stores nationwide;
- The publication of a deluxe photograph and essay book from TASCHEN, 75 Years Of Capitol Records (pictured), on December 15. 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;
- 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. Planned for release in the autumn of 2017, Capitol says it ‘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 premier music companies’.
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 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.Music Business Worldwide
