A rare discovery has rocked the music world as a Beatles audition tape from over 60 years ago was uncovered in a Vancouver record shop. The tape, believed to date back to around 1962, was found by Rob Frith, the owner of Neptoon Records, Vancouver’s oldest independent record store. The exciting find has sparked interest and speculation amongst Beatles fans worldwide.
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Frith shared his discovery on social media, posting a video of what he believes are Beatles audition tapes from decades past. The tape, labelled “Beatles Demos,” initially caught Frith’s eye years ago. However, after listening to it recently, he realised the significance of the find. The quality of the recordings astonished him, leading him to believe that it could be a master tape of the Fab Four’s early work.
In one clip shared by Frith, the record plays the end of a Beatles rendition of Django Reinhardt’s “Sheik of Araby.” Another clip features the band performing “Money (That’s What I Want),” showcasing the musical talents of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison. These recordings are believed to be from the Decca Studios sessions in January 1962.
The backstory of how the tapes ended up in Frith’s possession adds another layer of intrigue. The records were originally acquired from the former owner of Vancouver-based Mushroom Records, Jack Herschorn. Herschorn received them from a London record producer in the 1970s, who suggested selling copies. However, Herschorn refused, believing that the Beatles deserved the royalties and that it was ethically wrong to profit from the tapes.
Frith’s friend, music preservationist Larry Hennessey, shed light on the technical aspects of the tape, suggesting that it is a “leader tape” that separates each track. The pristine quality of the sound on the recordings further indicates their significance, with Hennessey emphasising that they are not mere bootleg copies but potentially authentic master recordings.
The buzz surrounding the discovery has led to hopes that Paul McCartney himself, one of the surviving members of the legendary band, will visit Neptoon Records to claim the historic tape. Alternatively, Frith is considering hosting a listening party and donating the proceeds to charity if McCartney is unable to collect the tape in person.
The Canadian publication CBC reported that the audition tape was turned into a bootleg record in the 1970s, further adding to the mystique surrounding the Beatles’ early recordings. Frith expressed his awe at the clarity and brightness of the sound on the tape, remarking that it felt like the Beatles were present in the room during playback.
As the music world eagerly awaits further developments, this remarkable discovery serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Beatles and their impact on the history of popular music. The mysterious origins and unexpected unearthing of this audition tape only add to the band’s legendary status, captivating fans and music enthusiasts alike.