The Beatles were told 'guitar groups are on the way out' after failed audition
It took the band 10 hours to travel to London for the audition.
The Beatles almost fell at the first hurdle on their journey to stardom. Having gained a name for themselves playing the clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg, the band were on the lookout for a record deal at the end of 1961.
Brian Epstein, their manager, was trying to secure meetings with labels in London but It was not going particularly well. He was rejected by Columbia, HMV, Pye, Philips and Oriole but did manage to book meetings with EMI and Decca.
Decca's Mike Smith then came to Liverpool to see John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best perform at the Cavern Club in December 1961, after which he invited them to audition in London on New Year's Day 1962.
It took the band 10 hours to drive down from Liverpool to the capital on New Year's Eve, getting lost in the process. Mr Smith himself was late to the audition, said to be a little worse for wear after the previous night's celebrations.
The band played and recorded 15 songs, selected by Brian, but they were rejected a month later.
According to Brian's autobiography, the band were told "guitar groups are on the way out" by Dick Rowe from the record label.
It is believed Decca's decision was influenced by the lower travel expenses the East London band would require. But Mr Rowe denied making the "guitar" comment to Brian for the rest of his life.
All hope was not lost for The Beatles as the ever-savvy Brian remained in negotiations with EMI throughout the process with Decca.
Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk/Dan Haygarth
