Beatles' original audition tape rejected by Decca records up for auction

Beatles' original audition tape, which was rejected 50 years ago, has been discovered and will be up for auction.

12:02 25 November 2012

After 50 years since Decca Records rejected it, Beatles' original audition tape was discovered and will be up for auction on November 27th.

To date, Decca Records' judgment call – to reject the Beatles because guitar groups were thought to be ‘on the way out’ – is still considered the worst in history. Following their audition, John, Paul, George, and original drummer Pete Best, was signed by EMI and became the legendary band that everybody now knows. 

Beatles' original safety master tape, which was recorded at Decca’s London studios 50 years ago, is now up for auction with a pre-sale estimate of £30,000. It is believed that Brian Epstein, Beatles' manager, gave the tape to an EMI executive who sold it to a prolific buyer of music memorabilia. The same owner is now believed to be selling the tape.

The 12-inch audio tape, withsound quality that is understood to be crystal clear, contains ten tracks including "Money" (That’s What I Want), "Like Dreamers Do", "Take Good Care Of My Baby", "Three Cool Cats", "Love Of The Loved", "Memphis and Crying Waiting Hoping".

 

It also includes a photo negative of the original Beatle band members that could have been used as the album cover had they won the contract, according to reports.

The tape will be offered for sale at the Fame Bureau in London’s Mayfair on November 27th.