The story of when the Beatles failed an audition
UmThe BeatlesDid (you/I/they) fail the audition!?
It might be hard to believe, but even the Beatles once failed an audition for a record company!
This time, that’s what we’ll be talking about.
poor equipment
Brian recorded the Beatles’ performance on a demo tape and took it to a record company.
However, nowhere showed interest.
However, there are aspects of this that cannot simply be blamed on the record companies.
Because everyone came from the working class and had no money,Because the equipment I had was all cheap and heavily used, the sound quality was extremely low.Because.
In particular, the bass amp was so bad that the noise was even louder.
On top of that, they were listening to the sound recorded on tape, so it’s no wonder people thought it was hopeless.
An audition with Decca Records is scheduled
Even so, the Beatles finally managed to make it as far as auditioning for Decca Records, a major record label.
They kept practicing desperately during the Cavern Club’s off hours.
However, Brian and I clashed over what to do about the setlist.
The Beatles argued that they should include plenty of their specialty, rock ’n’ roll, but Brian insisted on putting in more ballads, saying that otherwise they wouldn’t be liked by the adult business people.
He was a complete amateur when it came to music, but since he was the one who set up the audition, even the Beatles had no choice but to comply.
to audition
On January 1, 1962, the Beatles loaded their equipment into a car and, driven by their roadie Neil Aspinall, set out from Liverpool for London.
However, we were hit by an unfortunate heavy snowfall, and since Neil wasn’t familiar with London’s geography, we got lost and arrived at the studio just moments before the audition began.
So there wasn’t even time for a rehearsal, let alone a sound check.
This is the Decca record from that time.
Moreover, because the equipment the Beatles brought was so shabby, a Decca employee suggested they use the studio’s gear, but they took offense and refused.
Sure, nobody likes having their favorite gear criticized, but in this case what the employee said was actually more correct.
Well, even so, we somehow finished the setup and it was time to start the performance.
However, since it was their first studio recording—and an audition that would determine whether they’d land a record deal—even they were nervous.
Even John Lennon, known for his boldness, had a slightly pale face from nervousness.
On top of that, the set list had fewer of the rock ’n’ roll numbers they’re good at, and there were even songs where they messed up mid-performance and had to stop.
And, as expected, the weakness of the equipment also took its toll, so I can’t say it was a good performance by any means.
Even so, after finishing the recording of all the songs, they felt relieved.
And although I wasn’t entirely confident, I felt that I had somehow managed to pass.
This is the audio that was recorded at that time.
youtube.
com/watch?v=TTMlZxHk938
I failed the audition!
However, the result of the audition was a harsh one: failure.
President Dick Rowe coldly said this to Brian.
"Guitar groups are doomed, Mr. Epstein."
These words will be etched deeply into the history of the Beatles.
In response, Brian protested tearfully, saying, “I believe the Beatles will become musicians who surpass Presley,” but he could not overturn a decision once it had been made.
This person is Dick Lowe.
And this is the scene that recreates how it was at that time.
youtube.
com/watch?v=rdgW3VgzQ04
However, in fact, it was not Row who made this decision, but his subordinate, Smith.
He advised signing both the Beatles and another band, but Rowe instructed him to choose just one, and after much hesitation, he ended up picking the local London band.
Roh doesn’t even listen to the Beatles’ performance, takes his subordinates’ recommendations at face value, and ends up making the wrong decision.
Decca Records’ rejection of the Beatles at their audition would go down in music history as a monumental misjudgment, remembered and retold for generations.
And Lowe himself ended up being saddled with the ignominious label of “the man who kicked out the Beatles.”
You never know where rough diamonds might be lying around.
And auditions are a valuable opportunity to discover that.
However, at that time, I did not yet have that level of awareness.
As this failure gradually attracted more attention, the importance of auditions came to be recognized.
Meanwhile, the Beatles were also deeply disheartened by this outcome.
And they warned Brian that if they had gone with the set list they had insisted on, they would have passed, so from now on he should keep out of the music.
When one door closes, another opens.
However, although they ultimately failed, taking the audition at Decca was not in vain.
This is because they were able to obtain tapes recorded with the latest equipment in a well-equipped studio.
And at the recommendation of his friend, a record shop manager, Brian had it pressed from open-reel tape onto a more portable record.
The recording engineer who listened to that record was astonished by how amazing the sound was—and by the fact that it even included three original tracks—and immediately introduced us to a company that publishes music-related books.
However, Brian’s goal was, after all, to sign with a record company, so he didn’t take that offer. Through that connection, though, George Martin, a producer at Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of EMI Records, took interest, and they were able to audition.
The Parlophone Records audition
The Beatles auditioned for Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of EMI, on June 6, 1962.
Since we knew that if we failed this time, we would never get another chance, they practiced desperately and arrived at the studio early.
I went into the recording fully prepared, and while it was better than with Decca, the equipment was still inadequate, so the results were not satisfactory.
And after the recording was over, Martin called them into another room and nitpicked various things, such as the poor quality of their equipment.
They listened in silence, jiggling their legs with sullen expressions and exchanging glances with each other.
Martin asked, "You two have been silent for a while—don’t you have something you want to say to me?"
Then George Harrison jokingly replied, "Well, I don't like your tie."
Martin burst into laughter at this too, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.
And after talking for a while, they went back to Liverpool.
Watching their backs as they left, Martin was at a loss over whether he should sign a contract with these outrageous young people.
So I asked my subordinate, Norman Smith, “What do you think of them?”
Then Smith replied, “I can’t quite put it into words, but I feel an extraordinary appeal in them. I think we should sign with them.”
Martin replied, “Alright. I’ll think about it,” and after pondering for a while, he made up his mind.
Let's sign the Beatles
Finally to the contract
Thus, the Beatles and Parlophone Records officially signed a contract on October 1, 1962.
At last, they began to climb the stairs to stardom.