1955
British record company EMI acquired 96% of Capitol Records stock for $8.5 million. Soon afterward, EMI built a new studio at Hollywood and Vine to match its state-of-the-art Abbey Road Studios in London. The new studio became known as the Capitol Records Tower, one of the most distinctive landmarks in Hollywood. The 13-story earthquake-resistant tower, designed by Welton Becket, was the world’s first circular office building, and is home to several recording studios. Although not originally specifically designed as such, the wide curved awnings over windows on each story and the tall spike emerging from the top of the building combine to give it the appearance of a stack of vinyl 45s on a turntable.
Capitol was founded in 1942 by Johnny Mercer with the financial help of fellow songwriter and film producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, owner of Wallichs Music City, at the time the biggest record store in Los Angeles. The artist at Capitol at the time of this purchase included Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Jo Stafford and the newly signed Frank Sinatra.
1957
Elvis Presley’s second movie began production at Paramount Studios. The film was “Loving You” which thankfully beat out the original titles, “The Lonesome Cowboy” and “Running Wild”. The biggest hit from the movie was Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear which spent 7 weeks at #1.
Patsy Cline appeared on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and sang “Walkin’ After Midnight”, which became her first record to make it on the country charts.
1959
The Everly Brothers appeared on “Cool For Cats” in the UK. Their current hit in the U.S. was Problems, which would peak at #2 on Billboards Hot 100. It was the second time they peaked at #2, the other time being their initial release, Bye Bye Love. Here is take 10 of Problems. Notice that only Don was singing. Thankfully they sang together on the actual release which is also posted for your listening pleasure.
