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 the Decca Studios, where they recorded 15 songs for consideration.

During this pivotal audition, The Beatles performed a mix of covers and original compositions, including "Like Dreamers Do" and "Hello Little Girl." Despite their enthusiasm and potential, Decca's executive Dick Rowe made the fateful decision to pass on signing the band, reportedly telling their manager Brian Epstein that "guitar groups are on their way out."

The rejection came with the now-infamous quote: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." Instead of The Beatles, Decca chose to sign Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, a London-based band that had auditioned the same day.

This setback didn't last long, however. Just a few months later, The Beatles signed with EMI's Parlophone label under George Martin, who would become instrumental in their success. Martin recognized their potential and helped shape their sound into what would eventually revolutionize popular music.

The irony of Decca's decision became apparent as The Beatles went on to become the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide. Dick Rowe later partially redeemed himself by signing The Rolling Stones on George Harrison's recommendation.

The Decca audition recordings, while initially seen as a failure, have become valuable historical artifacts. They provide a unique glimpse into the early sound of The Beatles before their transformation into the global phenomenon we know today.

This historic rejection serves as a reminder that even the most successful artists can face significant setbacks early in their careers. The Beatles' perseverance after Decca's rejection ultimately led them to find the right partnership that would help them change music history forever.

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