In a twist of music history that would later become legendary, Decca Records famously rejected The Beatles on January 1, 1962. This decision is often referred to as one of the biggest mistakes in music industry history.

The audition at Decca Records took place after Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager, secured a recording test for the band. The group performed 15 songs during their hour-long audition, showcasing a mix of covers and original compositions. Despite their enthusiasm and raw talent, Decca's executive Dick Rowe made the fateful decision to pass on signing the band.

The infamous rejection came with the now-historic quote from Dick Rowe: "Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein." He chose to sign Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead, largely because they were a London-based band, while The Beatles would require more travel expenses from Liverpool.

But Decca wasn't alone in missing this opportunity. Several other record labels also turned down The Beatles, including:

Columbia Records
Pye Records
Phillips Records
HMV Records

Eventually, George Martin at Parlophone Records, a subsidiary of EMI, recognized the band's potential and signed them in 1962. This decision proved to be transformative for both The Beatles and the music industry as a whole.

The rejection by Decca had a silver lining - it pushed the band to continue improving and refining their sound. By the time they signed with Parlophone, they had developed the unique style that would help them become the most successful band in history.

Dick Rowe later redeemed himself by signing The Rolling Stones on George Harrison's recommendation, proving that even the biggest mistakes can lead to positive outcomes.

This story serves as a reminder that rejection, even from industry experts, doesn't necessarily reflect true potential. The Beatles went on to sell over 600 million records worldwide, making Decca's decision perhaps the most costly mistake in music industry history.

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