The Beatles' Decca Audition Tape Uncovered

The tape made by the Beatles for their 1962 Decca auditionhas been unearthed, 50 years after it was rejected by the label. In this nowfamous 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 mademusic history after signing with George Martin at EMI.

'Brian had already been to every other record company on thecountry, including not only Decca, whose Dick Rowe famously turned them down,but also EMI itself - twice. Brian thought he had already plumbed the depthsand didn't have any further to go. When Syd Coleman told him I was known as thecomedians' producer, Brian realised he had hit rock bottom. '
- George Martin, PLAYBACK.

The rejected tape features 10 cover songs and three originalBeatles tracks, selected by Brian Epstein for the Decca audition. The soundquality of this unreleased material is said to be pristine, and a Polaroid ofthe band (with original drummer Pete Best) and a handwritten note wereattached. The tape was passed on to Capitol records and then sold into aprivate 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 storiesabout recording with the Beatles in SUMMER OF LOVE, available to buy here.