The Capitol label was founded in Hollywood in 1942 by songwriter and singer Johnny Mercer, songwriter and movie impresario Buddy DeSylva and record store owner Glenn Wallichs. Within a few years it had become a major force in the US and subsequently the world market, rivalling the long-established major companies of RCA-Victor, Columbia and Decca. In 1955, it was bought by EMI to become its US arm and form part of a global music empire, with the legendary Capitol Tower at Hollywood & Vine opening the following year. It achieved by that status by having a continuous run of hits through the ‘40s, and establishing major artists, as well as building a presence in the country market. This collection brings together 101 of those hits, all of them Top 10 entries in Billboard, with 24 different artists represented, among them Nat King Cole, Jo Stafford, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting, Andy Russell, Martha Tilton, Alvino Rey, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Johnny Mercer himself. It tells a story of a business triumph but also captures the essence of the US chart music of the era, with R&B, swing, jazz and country alongside down-the-middle pop. It makes for a hugely entertaining slice of pop music history.