Capitol Records facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capitol Records |
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| Parent company | Universal Music Group (2012–present) Previously EMI (1955–2012) Warner Music Group (2013–present; some recordings) |
| Founded | March 27, 1942 (as Liberty Records) April 8, 1942 (as Capitol Records) |
| Founder | Johnny Mercer Buddy DeSylva Glenn Wallichs |
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| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Capitol Records Building, Hollywood, California, U.S. |
Capitol Records is a famous American record label. A record label is a company that helps musicians record, produce, and sell their music. Capitol Records is currently owned by Universal Music Group.
It was started in 1942 by three people: Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn E. Wallichs. It was the first big record label on the West Coast of the United States. In 1955, a British music company called EMI bought Capitol. Later, in 2012, Universal Music Group bought EMI.
Capitol Records is known for its unique circular building in Hollywood, California. This building is a famous landmark.
Contents
History of Capitol Records
How Capitol Records Started
In 1942, songwriter Johnny Mercer had an idea to start a record company. He got financial help from songwriter and film producer Buddy DeSylva. Glenn Wallichs, who owned a music store, also joined them.
They first named their company Liberty Records on March 27, 1942. But in May, they changed the name to Capitol Records.
Capitol Records had its first recording session on April 6, 1942. Martha Tilton recorded a song called "Moon Dreams." Soon after, other artists like Ella Mae Morse recorded music. Her song "Cow-Cow Boogie" became Capitol's first "gold single" in 1942. A gold single means it sold a lot of copies!
Capitol Records was the first major record label on the West Coast. It competed with big East Coast labels like RCA Victor and Columbia. Besides its studios in Los Angeles, Capitol also had a studio in New York City.
Music for Everyone
Capitol Records made music for all kinds of listeners. In 1946, they created Bozo the Clown for children's records. Famous cartoon voices like Pinto Colvig (who voiced Goofy) and Mel Blanc (who voiced Bugs Bunny) worked on these records.
Capitol also released jazz music, including the famous album Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis. They even released some classical music albums.
By the 1950s, Capitol Records was a huge company. It focused mostly on popular music. They started recording early rock and roll artists like Gene Vincent. They also released funny comedy records.
Capitol Records and EMI
In 1955, a British music company called EMI bought Capitol Records. EMI built a new, modern studio for Capitol in Hollywood. This studio was similar to EMI's famous Abbey Road Studios in London.
Capitol Records also helped distribute music from other countries. For example, they helped a Cuban record company called Panart share its music in the United States.
In the 1960s, Capitol started other record labels, like Tower Records. Capitol was also the company that distributed the Beatles' music in the US for their label, Apple Records.
In 2012, Universal Music Group bought EMI's music business. This meant Capitol Records became part of Universal Music Group. The main office for Capitol Music Group moved back to the Capitol Tower in Hollywood.
Capitol Records has continued to grow. In 2014, singer Katy Perry started her own record label, Unsub Records, with Capitol. Capitol Records also won many awards at the Grammy Awards in 2014 for music by artists like Beck and Sam Smith.
In 2018, Capitol's electronic music division, Astralwerks, moved its operations to the Capitol Tower. In recent years, new leaders like Jeff Vaughn and Michelle Jubelirer have taken charge of Capitol Records.
Capitol Records Building
The Capitol Records Tower is a very special building. It was designed by Welton Becket and Louis Naidorf. It's a thirteen-story building that can withstand earthquakes. It was the world's first circular office building!
The building looks like a stack of records on a record player. It was finished in 1956. It became the main office for Capitol Records on the West Coast. People even nicknamed it "The House That Nat Built" because of the success of Capitol singer Nat King Cole.
In 2006, EMI sold the building. Later, in 2008, there was a concern about building new apartments nearby. People worried it might affect the building's special sound studios. But the building remains a key part of Capitol Records.
Recording Studios
Capitol's recording studios were built to be very quiet. They have special walls that float on rubber and cork. This helps keep out all outside noise and vibrations.
The studios also have underground "echo chambers." These are special rooms 30 feet underground with thick concrete walls. Engineers use them to add a cool echo effect to recordings. This echo can last up to five seconds!
The studios are big enough to record orchestral music and film soundtracks. The first album recorded in the tower was Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems of Color.
International Reach
Capitol Records has always worked with music from other countries. In the past, albums released in the United States sometimes had fewer songs than those released in the United Kingdom. This was due to different rules about music royalties.
The Beatles
Capitol Records played a big role in releasing music by the Beatles in the United States.
Capitol in Other Countries
Capitol Records has had offices and operations in many countries.
In the United Kingdom, Capitol records were first released by another company. But after EMI bought Capitol in 1955, EMI took over. In 2012, when Universal Music Group bought EMI, Capitol became its own label in the UK.
In Canada, Capitol Records of Canada started in 1949. This Canadian branch helped find and promote Canadian musicians like Anne Murray. They also distributed music from British artists, including the Beatles, even before the American company did.
Capitol also has a division called Capitol Latin. It focuses on Latin music artists in Latin America and the United States. There have also been Capitol offices in Mexico, Germany, and Sweden. Today, Capitol continues to be a global music company.
See also
In Spanish: Capitol Records para niños
- Capitol Records Nashville
- List of Capitol Records artists
- List of record labels
