Rare Early Beatles Demo Tape Discovered Collecting Dust in Vancouver Record Shop

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The 15-song recording dates to the Liverpool band’s failed audition for Decca Records in early 1962—months before it released its first hit

Eli Wizevich – History Correspondent

April 4, 2025 2:26 p.m.

On January 1, 1962, The Beatles, a four-member ensemble from Liverpool, ventured to London to record a demo for Decca Records. Their 15-song audition, however, failed to impress the label, leading to the band’s rejection in favor of Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, which marked a low point in the band’s early career.

Although the setback was disheartening, it was quickly overshadowed by their signing with EMI’s Parlophone Records later that spring. This pivotal move transformed their trajectory: Ringo Starr joined the band, replacing Pete Best as drummer, and their debut single “Love Me Do” was released in October, catapulting them into fame.

As time passed, the demo tapes themselves became a forgotten relic, existing only as incomplete bootlegs among hardcore fans and five tracks released on the 1995 compilation album Anthology 1.

Recently, however, a tape labeled “Beatles ’60s demos” resurfaced in a Vancouver studio, drawing attention due to its unexpected quality and historical significance. Rob Frith, owner of Neptoon Records, had initially overlooked its potential, thinking it merely contained unauthorized recordings. His assumptions, however, changed dramatically when a friend played the tape on a vintage Studer A810 tape player, revealing an audio quality that suggested the Beatles were practically “in the room” with them.

Frith and his friends quickly recognized that they might have stumbled upon something noteworthy. As Doug Schober began researching, he proposed the tape was likely the famed Decca demo. A social media post by Frith eventually confirmed its authenticity: it was indeed a pristine copy of the original audition tape, featuring all 15 songs performed by the band—three of which were original compositions—in remarkable clarity.

Further investigation revealed that the tape had historical roots in Vancouver’s Can-Base Studios, where it had been passed around among artists like Tom Lavin, who were unaware of its true significance. The tape had found its way to Canada after Jack Herschorn, who once owned it, acquired it in London. Herschorn confirmed that a prominent producer gave him the tape with the hope he would release it as a bootleg in North America, but he chose not to do so out of ethical concerns.

The recording sat untouched at the studio until Herschorn relocated, ultimately leaving it behind when the studio sold. The individual who sold the tape to Frith likely didn’t grasp its value either, as Frith himself could barely remember the transaction, a testament to how history can shift in unexpected ways.

Interestingly, The Beatles had a modest view of their audition, with Paul McCartney reflecting years later on the quality of the recordings. Notably, McCartney stated that they weren’t particularly great, despite showcasing some original ideas. The original songs included “Like Dreamers Do,” “Hello Little Girl,” and “Love of the Loved,” alongside covers like “Money (That’s What I Want),” which eventually made it onto later albums.

In hindsight, John Lennon expressed during an interview that Decca’s expectations were unrealistic, given that the band was simply presenting a demo rather than a polished performance. George Harrison humorously remarked on the irony of a Decca executive’s prediction about the decline of guitar groups, made just before The Beatles’ rise to fame.

In 2012, a separate Decca audition tape fetched £35,000 at auction, underscoring the historical intrigue surrounding these recordings, but no complete, high-fidelity version had previously emerged—until now, with Frith’s recent discovery.

Currently, Frith plans to retain this remarkable tape, though he has expressed willingness to share it with Paul McCartney for an official release or perhaps feature it in a charity event. Reflecting on its newfound renown, he humorously added that just a month ago, he would have readily sold it for a mere $20.

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