Decca Records Executive Told Brian Epstein "Guitar Groups Are on Their Way Out." Then Signed Brian Poole and the Tremeloes Instead of The Beatles.

On New Year's Day 1962, The Beatles traveled from Liverpool to London for their big audition at Decca Records. They performed 15 songs. Dick Rowe, Decca's senior talent scout, wasn't even in the room — but he made the final call anyway. When his colleague Mike Smith had to choose between two groups, Rowe told him to pick Brian Poole and the Tremeloes over the Beatles. Why? The Tremeloes were from Dagenham. Closer to London. More convenient. As for the mop-tops from Liverpool? "Guitar groups are on their way out." Epstein got a rejection letter. The Beatles signed with Parlophone instead and went on to sell over 600 million records, become the best-selling music act in history, and fundamentally reshape popular culture for the next half-century. Rowe eventually signed the Rolling Stones — but only after The Beatles proved that guitar groups were, in fact, very much in. Brian Poole and the Tremeloes had a few modest hits. The Decca audition tapes still exist. Collectors pay fortunes for them.