In a discovery that seems straight out of a legend, a lost Beatles recording has surfaced in a small record store in Vancouver. Rob Frith, owner of Neptoon Records, could hardly believe his ears when he realized that a seemingly ordinary bootleg cassette labeled “Beatles 60s Demos” might be something far more valuable.
“I thought it was just another bootleg recording,” Frith shared on social media. “But when I first listened to it, the sound was incredible. How could I be holding what sounds like the original master tape of the Beatles’ Decca audition?”
The Decca Records’ Infamous Mistake
The tape is believed to be a copy of the legendary audition session the Beatles recorded on New Year’s Day 1962 at Decca Studios in London. In what is now considered one of the biggest blunders in music history, Decca rejected the band, which later signed with Parlophone under the guidance of George Martin. Just a year later, their debut album, Please Please Me (1963), would change the music world forever.
A Story Full of Twists
Speaking to CBC, Frith described the surreal experience of hearing the tape: “The sound was so clear, it felt like the Beatles were in the room with me.” Adding to the mystery was the presence of “leader tape”, a special kind of tape typically used in master recordings.
His investigation led him to Jack Herschorn, a former record executive in Vancouver who had brought the tape to Canada. According to Herschorn, a London-based producer had given it to him in the 1970s, intending to sell copies in North America. However, Herschorn refused, saying:
“It just didn’t feel right. These guys are legends and deserve their rightful share. This recording needs to be released officially.”
The Mystery Continues
Sixty years after the original session, Beatles fans now have the chance to hear a short clip of the first track, “Money (That’s What I Want),” via Frith’s Instagram. The snippet quickly went viral, amassing thousands of reactions from devoted fans.
As for the tape’s future, Frith made it clear he has no intention of selling it. However, he joked that he’d happily hand-deliver a copy to Sir Paul McCartney if he ever visits his shop. Until then, this tape remains one of the rarest and most fascinating musical discoveries in recent years.
