While for most American
Beatlemaniacs Capitol Records was virtually synonymous with Beatles music, as
of mid-1963 this EMI Records (of London) subsidiary actually wanted nothing to
do with the band, convinced that American ears were “not attuned to this
essentially British sound.” (Offered the single “Please Please Me,” they flatly
turned down, utilizing their contractual “first rights of refusal.”) And even
though the Beatles had by this point been invited to perform at the most
prestigious venue in the US, Carnegie Hall in New York City–indeed, the most
prestigious concert hall in the world–Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein at first
balked at the offer, citing that it would be professional suicide to present
the boys without first having a hit record in America. And without a major
record company like Capitol behind them—that seemed highly improbable.
Desperate for American distribution, EMI and Epstein offered “Please Please Me”
to New York City-based Atlantic Records–who flatly turned it down. It was then
offered to the Chicago, Illinois-based label Vee Jay—who agreed to release it
for a guaranteed $20,000—but the song ultimately died at the bottom of the
charts. EMI then offered “She Loves You” to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based
Swan Records–which agreed to release it–but it too went virtually unnoticed.
Realizing then that the Beatles (and their music) is a visceral experience—both
he and producer George Martin had not become true fans until actually seeing
them—Epstein decided that what was needed to connect with the American audience
was an appearance on a major American TV show. But why would a TV producer want
to book a band that had no hit record and wasn’t getting airplay? Unbeknownst
to Epstein, “She Loves You” had by now caught Capitol’s (Canada) attention and
was now interested in knocking Swan out of the competition. (By some accounts,
EMI eventually forced Capitol to promote the band in America.)
Capitalizing on Capitol’s new-found interest, Epstein convinced the record
company to invest $20,000 (by some accounts, $40,000) in an elaborate
advertising and sales campaign–including the production of five million “The
Beatles Are Coming” buttons. Subsequently, upon release of “I Want to Hold Your
Hand” in the US (paired with “I Saw Her Standing There”) the marriage between
the Beatles and Capitol Records (US) was formalized—the catchy single entering
the Billboard “Hot 100” on January 18, 1964 at #45 and quickly climbing to #1
(a spot it held for seven weeks)–remaining then in the top 10 for a total of 15
weeks. (DJs and music journalists were now calling the Beatles’ rise up the
charts “the British Invasion.”)
Having seized the American
spotlight—especially after performing live on the famed Ed Sullivan Show–on
February 12, 1964, the Beatles played two 35-minute shows at Carnegie Hall
(7:00 pm and 9:30 pm), the best seats selling for $5.50. Capitol Records had
planned to capitalize on this historic event (the Beatles being the first Pop
band in history to play the prestigious hall) by recording both performances to
be released as a live album, for which Carnegie Hall was to be compensated $300
to record the event and another $300 to use “Recorded at Carnegie Hall” and
accompanying image on the album cover. Just hours before curtain time, however,
Capitol was notified by the American Federation of Musicians Union that their
plans violated union rules. (Even so, after playing Carnegie Hall and appearing
twice more on Ed Sullivan, the Beatles proceeded to take America by storm.)
Between 1963 and 1970, Capitol Records (US) released 19* Beatles singles
and 18 primary LPs. The singles issued were: “I Want to Hold Your Hand”/“I Saw
Her Standing There,” “Can’t Buy Me Love”/“You Can’t Do That,” “A Hard Days
Night”/“I Should Have Known Better,” “And I Love Her”/“If I Fell,” “I’ll Cry
Instead”/“I’m Happy Just to Dance With You,” “Matchbox,”/“Slow Down,” “I Feel
Fine”/“She’s a Woman,” “Eight Days a Week”/“I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party,”
“Ticket to Ride”/“Yes It Is,” “Help!”/“I’m Down,” “Yesterday”/“Act Naturally,”
“We Can Work it Out”/“Day Tripper,” “Nowhere Man,”/“What Goes On,” “Paperback
Writer”/“Rain,” “Yellow Submarine”/“Eleanor Rigby,” “Penny Lane”/“Strawberry
Fields Forever,” “All You Need is Love”/“Baby You’re a Rich Man,” “Hello
Goodbye”/“I Am the Walrus,” and “Lady Madonna”/“The Inner Light.”
Generally corresponding to the singles, the albums released by Capitol were:
Meet the Beatles, The Beatles Second Album, Something New, Beatles Story,
Beatles ’65, The Early Beatles, Beatles VI, Help! soundtrack, Rubber Soul,
Yesterday . . . and Today, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,
Magical Mystery Tour, and The Beatles (“White Album”). Additionally, Capitol
issued a number of promotional, rarity, and compilation LPs including Beatles
Christmas Album, Beatles/1962-1966 (also a version released on red vinyl),
Beatles 1967-70 (also a version released on blue vinyl), the nine-album boxed
set Beatles Special Limited Edition, Rock and Roll Music, Beatles at the
Hollywood Bowl, Love Songs (also released on gold vinyl), Sgt. Pepper’s . . .
(picture disc), and The Beatles (“White Album” on white vinyl).
*Note:
Capitol Records of Los Angeles (founded in 1942 and part of the larger Capitol
Music Group) and Capitol Records of Canada sometimes worked in cooperation in
distributing Beatles records—sometimes independently. As a result, “She Loves
You” was released in Canada prior to Capitol of America’s commitment (and
release of “I Want to Hold Your Hand”/“I Saw Her Standing There”), resulting in
a Beatles fanbase forming in the US via Canadian releases even before Capitol
US contribution to the American air waves. Additionally, Swan Records held a
two-year option on “She Loves You,” after which time Capitol gained
distribution control—though ownership lawsuits persisted. Also, after 1970,
Capitol US released numerous Beatles singles and albums (too numerous to list)
including A Hard Days Night (reissue following acquisition of rights from
United Artists), Let It Be (a 1979 reissue), Rarities, Reel Music (some
released on gold vinyl), Twenty Greatest Hits, Sessions (very limited release,
most available copies are bootleg), Past Masters, Beatles Deluxe Box Set, and
Live at the BBC.
(Insiders and collectors contend that the Capitol list
[both US and Canada] is more extensive and includes some short-lived releases
that met with legal snags, but are nonetheless in circulation.)
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