Decca Audition

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Decca Audition

Decca Studios
Hampstead Studio 2
165 Broadhurst Gardens
Camden
West Hampstead
London
NW6 3AX
Greater London

The Beatles auditioned at Decca Studios, Studio 2 (the primary pop recording space at the time), located at 165 Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 3AX, Greater London, England. This is the more precise and complete modern address, incorporating the full street name, historical neighborhood (West Hampstead), London borough (Camden), and current postcode (NW6 3AX).Key Clarifications

 

  • Why this over the alternative?

The shorter version (“Decca Studios, Hampstead Studio No. 3, 165 Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6”) is incorrect for the audition:

    • “Hampstead” is a misnomer; the studios were in West Hampstead (a distinct area in Camden, adjacent to but separate from Hampstead in the City of Westminster). Historical records consistently place it in West Hampstead.
    • “Studio No. 3” refers to Decca’s third studio, added in 1961 for orchestral work (adjacent to 165 Broadhurst Gardens, sometimes noted as near 195 Broadhurst Gardens). The audition occurred in Studio 2, the larger pop studio with a ground-level control room. Studio 3 wasn’t operational for this session.
    • The postcode “NW6” is valid but incomplete without “3AX,” which pinpoints the exact building today (now a rehearsal space for the English National Opera).
  • Historical Context:
    Decca Studios operated at this address from 1937 to 1981. The building, originally the Falcon Works (1880s), was acquired by Decca via Crystalate Records. The audition—15 songs in one hour, produced by Mike Smith and engineered by Peter Attwood—remains one of music’s infamous rejections, as Decca chose Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.
The Beatles’ Decca Audition Session Tapes (January 1, 1962)The infamous Decca audition tapes capture The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best on drums) at a pivotal early moment. Recorded live in one hour with no overdubs or remixing, the session produced 15 mono tracks on two-track tape. Brian Epstein selected a broad setlist—mostly covers from their live repertoire, plus three Lennon-McCartney originals—to showcase versatility.Session Details

  • Date & Location: January 1, 1962, ~11:00 AM start (delayed due to producer Mike Smith’s hangover and injuries), Decca Studios (Studio 2), 165 Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 3AX.
  • Producer: Mike Smith (Decca A&R assistant who scouted them at the Cavern Club).
  • Engineer: Likely Peter Attwood (some sources mention Mike Savage for later copies).
  • Format: Live mono recordings, single takes per song.
  • Outcome: Decca rejected them, famously stating “guitar groups are on the way out,” and signed Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.

Exact Song List (Performance Order)The order is well-documented from historical sources (e.g., Mark Lewisohn’s research):

    1. Like Dreamers Do (Lennon-McCartney original; lead vocal: Paul)
    2. Money (That’s What I Want) (Gordy/Bradford; lead: John)
    3. Till There Was You (Willson; lead: Paul)
    4. The Sheik of Araby (Smith/Wheeler/Snyder; lead: George)
    5. To Know Her Is to Love Her (Spector; lead: George)
    6. Take Good Care of My Baby (King/Goffin; lead: George)
    7. Memphis, Tennessee (Berry; lead: John)
    8. Sure to Fall (In Love with You) (Cantrell/Claunch/Perkins; lead: Paul)
    9. Hello Little Girl (Lennon-McCartney original; lead: John)
    10. Three Cool Cats (Leiber/Stoller; lead: George)
    11. Crying, Waiting, Hoping (Holly; lead: George)
    12. Love of the Loved (Lennon-McCartney original; lead: Paul)
    13. September in the Rain (Warren/Dubin; lead: Paul)
    14. Bésame Mucho (Velázquez/Skylar; lead: Paul)
    15. Searchin’ (Leiber/Stoller; lead: Paul)

Tape History & Releases

  • Original Master: Ownership unclear; Apple Corps may hold it, but copies circulated early.
  • Brian Epstein’s Copy: Open-reel tapes he used to pitch the band; partial reels have been auctioned (e.g., one with 7 songs sold at Sotheby’s in 2019).
  • Official Release: Only 5 tracks on Anthology 1 (1995): “Searchin'”, “Like Dreamers Do”, “Hello Little Girl”, “Three Cool Cats”, “The Sheik of Araby”.
  • Bootlegs: Full 15 tracks widely available unofficially since the 1970s (e.g., The Decca Tapes LP in 1979). Sound quality varies, but remastered versions highlight the raw energy—and why some critics note Pete Best’s drumming as steady but unremarkable.

These tapes show a talented but unpolished band, heavy on covers and cabaret-style numbers to appeal broadly. Six months later at EMI, with Ringo Starr and George Martin, they’d evolve dramatically. The rejection proved a blessing! If you’d like links to listen or more on specific tracks, let me know.

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