Decca Records famously rejected The Beatles on January 1, 1962, in what's now considered one of the biggest mistakes in music industry history. The band had traveled from Liverpool to London for an audition at Decca's studios, where they recorded 15 songs under the guidance of Mike Smith, a talent scout for the label.

The rejection came with the now-infamous statement that "guitar groups are on their way out," delivered by Dick Rowe, Decca's A&R (Artists and Repertoire) head. Instead of signing The Beatles, Decca chose Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, a London-based band that auditioned the same day.

This wasn't the only rejection The Beatles faced. They were also turned down by Columbia, HMV, and Pye Records before finally signing with EMI's Parlophone label in June 1962. George Martin, who would become their long-time producer, saw potential in the group where others hadn't.

The songs recorded during the Decca audition included:

"Money (That's What I Want)"
"Till There Was You"
"Like Dreamers Do"
"Hello Little Girl"
"Three Cool Cats"

The rejection proved to be a blessing in disguise. Under George Martin's guidance at Parlophone, The Beatles developed their signature sound and went on to become the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide.

Dick Rowe later redeemed himself by signing The Rolling Stones on George Harrison's recommendation, but the Decca rejection remains a cautionary tale about missed opportunities in the music industry. The original Decca audition tapes still exist and have been released as part of The Beatles' anthology series, providing a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the band.

Today, the Decca audition serves as a reminder that even the greatest talents can face rejection, and that one company's oversight can become another's historic opportunity. EMI's Parlophone label ultimately benefited from Decca's decision, helping to launch what would become the most successful band in popular music history.

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