Rare Beatles Demo Tape Going Up For Auction

Back in 1962—so long ago that Pete Best was still the drummer in the Beatles—the British band attempted to get a deal with Decca Records. Ultimately, the 10-song demo tape, recorded by “The Silver Beatles,” was rejected by the record label, but over the years, the master tape was maintained by the studio. Now, the master tape is being sold at auction, and it is expected to go for a pretty penny.

On New Year’s Day, 1962, the young band played 15 tracks for the studio, ten of which were later recorded. According to Rolling Stone, although Decca signed another band on that fated day, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, the tape was kept by the company. Over the years, various bootlegged versions of the sessions have appeared. Regardless, the auction house says the master tape is of better quality, and maintains a historical relevancy that a bootlegged tape could never have.

The master tape is going up for sale in an auction run by the Fame Bureau, a company that specializes in selling off pop memorabilia. Bidding on the tape will start somewhere between $29,000 and $32,000. However, except for that one lucky bidder, the tape is unlikely to be reproduced for the masses. The Beatles own the copyright to the tape, and even if the sound quality is masterful, I’m sure there is other music in the band’s catalog that the remaining members would prefer fans listen to. Especially poor Ringo, who doesn’t even appear on the recording.