26 Nov 2012
The tape made by the Beatles for their 1962 Decca audition
has been unearthed, 50 years after it was rejected by the label. In this now
famous meeting, a record executive decided that there was no future for the band,
and indeed for guitar groups in general. Just months later, the Beatles made
music history after signing with George Martin at EMI.
'Brian had already been to every other record company on the
country, including not only Decca, whose Dick Rowe famously turned them down,
but also EMI itself - twice. Brian thought he had already plumbed the depths
and didn't have any further to go. When Syd Coleman told him I was known as the
comedians' producer, Brian realised he had hit rock bottom. '
- George Martin, PLAYBACK.
The rejected tape features 10 cover songs and three original
Beatles tracks, selected by Brian Epstein for the Decca audition. The sound
quality of this unreleased material is said to be pristine, and a Polaroid of
the band (with original drummer Pete Best) and a handwritten note were
attached. The tape was passed on to Capitol records and then sold into a
private collection. It is being auctioned by the Fame Bureau on November 27th,
with a pre-sale estimate of £30,000.
Above: George Martin and the Beatles, taken from the sold-out PLAYBACK. George shares more stories
about recording with the Beatles in SUMMER OF LOVE, available to buy here.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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