How Well Do You Know the History of Hollywood’s Capitol Records Building?

Did you know the red beacon on the spire continuously blinks the word “Hollywood” in Morse code?

Next to the Hollywood Sign, the Capitol Records Building, towering over the 101 freeway like a stack of vinyl, may be one of tinsel town’s most identifiable monuments. The world’s first circular building, designed by iconic LA architect Welton Becket, opened on Hollywood and Vine in 1956.

According to Discover Los Angeles, “the Capitol Records Building is the site of the historic Capitol Studios, where Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Nat “King” Cole, Sir Paul McCartney and many more music legends recorded some of the most treasured music in history. The first album recorded at Capitol Studios was Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems of Color. The Capitol Studios feature echo chambers that were designed by legendary guitarist and recording innovator Les Paul. The echo chambers are subterranean concrete bunkers that are located 30 feet underground. They can provide reverb that lasts up to five seconds—the effect is perhaps most famously heard on The Beach Boys classic, Good Vibrations.”

Read more about the history of the Capitol Records Building here.