Record Shop Owner Unearths Legendary Beatles' Decca Audition Tape
In a remarkable turn of events that has sent ripples of excitement through the world of music history, a rare and exceptionally high-quality copy of The Beatles' 1962 audition tape for Decca Records has been discovered in a Vancouver record shop.
Rob Frith, the owner of Neptoon Records, stumbled upon the reel-to-reel tape, initially mistaking it for a mere bootleg, only to realise he possessed a direct copy of the recording that a British label famously deemed not good enough to warrant a record deal for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and their then-drummer Pete Best.
The serendipitous discovery unfolded at Neptoon Records, Vancouver's oldest independent record store, where Frith had acquired the tape years prior, labelled simply as 'Beatles 60s Demos'.
It wasn't until recently that he finally listened to the recording, a decision that led to a profound revelation. Posting on his Instagram account, Frith expressed his astonishment at the audio fidelity: "I just figured it was a tape off a bootleg record. After hearing it last night for the first time, it sounds like a master tape. The quality is unreal. How is this even possible to have what sounds like a Beatles 15 song Decca tapes master?".
Frith's initial scepticism quickly gave way to the understanding that he held something truly special. The clarity and vibrancy of the recording suggested it was far from a typical low-quality bootleg.
As Frith himself described to CBC, "It seemed like the Beatles were in the room". To offer a glimpse of this remarkable find, Frith shared a snippet of the recording on his Instagram, featuring the band performing their rendition of Money (That's What I Want). This brief clip quickly went viral among Beatles enthusiasts, further amplifying the significance of the discovery.
The story behind how this priceless artefact made its way to a Vancouver record shop is almost as intriguing as the discovery itself. Following his social media posts, Frith was contacted by Jack Herschorn, the former owner of Vancouver's Mushroom Records.
Herschorn revealed that he had been given the tape by a producer friend during a visit to London in the 1970s. The producer had suggested that Herschorn could potentially sell copies of the recording across North America, recognizing its historical value even then.
However, Herschorn, a former record label executive himself, grappled with the ethical implications of releasing the material without the band's explicit consent and proper royalty arrangements.
Speaking to CBC, he admitted, "I didn't want to put it out because I felt… I didn't think it was a totally moral thing to do. These guys, they're famous and they deserve to have the right royalties on it… it deserves to come out properly". This principled stance ensured the tape remained out of public circulation until its recent rediscovery by Frith.
The recording in question is believed to be a direct copy of The Beatles' audition session at Decca Studios in London on January 1, 1962.
This pivotal moment in the band's early history is infamous because Decca Records ultimately decided not to sign The Beatles, a decision widely regarded as one of the biggest blunders in music industry history. At the time of the audition, the band consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best on drums, who was later replaced by Ringo Starr in August 1962.
Music preservationist Larry Hennessey further validated the significance of Frith's discovery.
Examining the reel-to-reel tape, Hennessey identified it as a "leader tape," a type of tape used to separate tracks on master recordings. He explained to CBC that "The way that's wound on the tape, you can see that it separates the tracks … it's not a fast copy or a bootleg".
This technical detail further supports Frith's initial impression that the audio quality was indicative of a master or a very close copy.
While the exact tracklist of the audition tape isn't explicitly detailed in the sources beyond the mention of Money, some reports suggest that the Decca session included early recordings of songs like Till There Was You, Memphis, Tennessee, and September in the Rain.
These potential inclusions offer a fascinating glimpse into The Beatles' early repertoire and their musical influences at the time of the audition.
Despite the immense historical and potential monetary value of the tape, Rob Frith has stated that he has no intention of selling this "priceless artefact".
His focus appears to be on ensuring the recording reaches the right hands and is treated with the respect it deserves. Frith has expressed his willingness to give Decca Records a copy of the tape, suggesting they could finally rectify their historical misstep by releasing it officially. Alternatively, in a gesture befitting the legendary status of the band, Frith has jokingly said that if Sir Paul McCartney ever visits his record shop, he would personally hand over the recording to him. Frith has also floated the idea of hosting a listening party and donating any proceeds to charity.
The discovery of this high-quality Decca audition tape serves as a poignant reminder of the subjective nature of artistic judgment and the unpredictable trajectory of success.
Decca's rejection, though initially a setback for The Beatles, ultimately paved the way for their signing with Parlophone under the guidance of George Martin, often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle". It was with Parlophone that they would release their debut album, Please Please Me, in 1963, marking the beginning of their unprecedented global fame.
The unearthed audition tape offers a unique opportunity to hear The Beatles in their formative stages, capturing their raw talent and potential before the polish and experimentation of their later years.
The exceptional audio quality, as repeatedly highlighted by Frith, promises an immersive listening experience, allowing fans to connect with the band's early sound in a way that previous bootlegs could not.
In conclusion, the discovery of The Beatles' 1962 Decca audition tape by Rob Frith at Neptoon Records is a significant event for music historians and fans alike.
The tape's remarkable quality, its journey from a London producer to a Vancouver record shop, and the ethical considerations of its custodians all contribute to a compelling narrative. This rediscovered piece of Beatles history offers a fresh perspective on the early days of one of the most influential bands of all time and underscores the enduring fascination with their musical legacy. Whether Decca Records takes Frith up on his offer or Paul McCartney makes a surprise visit to Vancouver, the world will be watching with anticipation to see what becomes of this extraordinary find.