According to legend the design of this building is meant to represent a stack of records. Inside the lobby is an astounding array of gold records, spanning the entire history of rock and roll and the amazing roster of recording artists that have been represented on the Capitol label.
Capitol Records was the first record company based on the West Coast, and has promoted such acts as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Frank Sinatra, Bob Seger, Duran Duran, Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson, Steve Miller, Linda Ronstadt and Tina Turner.
The mural facing the parking lot is a beautiful photo op. Capitol has promotional events for their artists at this location regularly.
The blinking light atop the tower spells out the word “Hollywood” in Morse code. In 1992 it was changed to read “Capitol 50” in honor of the label’s fiftieth anniversary. It has since returned to spelling “Hollywood.”
Notable Recordings made at Capitol Records:
In The 80’s by Graham Nash
Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook
Destination Unknown by Missing Persons
She’s A Beauty by The Tubes
Your Saving Grace by Steve Miller
Motels by Motels
Levon Helm by Levon Helm
The Band by The Band
Stage Fright by The Band
Music From Big Pink by The Band
My Sharona by The Knack
All Summer Long by The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Shady Grove by Quicksilver Messenger Service
We’re An American Band by Grand Funk
Capitol Records
1750 Vine Street
Los Angeles CA 90028
Must see if you come to L.A.
Capitol Records is one of those places you have to see if you are ever in the Hollywood area. John Lennon’s Walk of Fame Star is nearby.
In a recent interview on Sirius XM’s “Outlaw Country”, guitarist/banjoist extraordinare Bernie Leadon talks about Les Paul’s (yeah, THAT Les Paul) original echo chambers located Underneath the parking lot!! He described them as rooms with hard surfaces, no sound-absorbing material at all, a microphone at one end of the room & a speaker at the other end. He went on to say that the chambers were used on an album he played on (Hearts & Flowers) in the late 60s. Wonder if those echo chambers are still being utilized & if Capitol lets artists and/or guests take a peek at ’em??? It’s also quite miraculous that -if they’re still there & in use- they’ve survived earthquakes & tremors —–