🎧 The Beatles, "The Decca Tapes". In honor of John, I decided to get WAAAAY back! The first official recording of "The Beatles", made on Jan 1 1962, as they auditioned for Decca Records, who famously passed saying "guitar groups were on their way out". They ran through an unprecedented 15-song set, recorded by a hungover producer named Mike Smith. If you want to hear what a Beatles live set sounded like before the screaming started, this is a good place to start.
Wow, never heard the actual reason he passed on the Beatles. In 1962???, saying something that dumb, He was an idiot🤣🤣🤣
@dwalace4
The story goes that Decca exec Dick Rowe was the one who made the comment, adding "the Beatles have no future in show business", but he denied ever saying it for the rest of his life. In any case, some time after that, Rowe found himself on Jukebox Jury seated next to George Harrison, who told Rowe he should check out this amazing new band called The Rolling Stones. This time, Rowe didn't pass.
@dwalace4
At some point, before the 60's he left Decca and came back, where he remained an A&R guy/Producer into the 1970s. He signed Van Morrison, The Moody Blues, and lots of others. But I bet every day he woke up to see a new Beatles #1, he put a little "something extra" in his tea.
Oh, without a doubt, he still fked up. You know he was probably so jealous of producer George Martin🤣🤣
@MPCavalier
For some reason, I thought he was fired after that, but I do remember Decca signing the Stones. Thanks for your interesting info.