Bosses at Capitol Records in Los Angeles fear new building work next to their famous headquarters will wreck "echo chambers" created in the basement by guitar great Les Paul.

Artists like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin used the fabled recording space and raved about the acoustics, and Brian Wilson and Natalie Cole have just completed albums there.

But the unique space is now being threatened by the construction of a planned 16-storey apartment complex, which Capitol chiefs are trying to block.

Executives have told Los Angeles city officials that excavation and building will damage their famous recording studios.

The developer has pledged to use equipment tailored to reducing noise and vibrations if building officials allow him to go ahead with his construction plans, according to the Los Angeles Times newspaper.