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Written by Phil Gee
The guy I'm with in the picture is original Beatles drummer PETE BEST. He was their drummer from 1960-1962. They had just signed their recording contract in June 1962 with EMI RECORDS, and then gave him the axe in favor of Ringo. He was pretty nice. It was a major thrill to meet him. I mean, he WAS a Beatle -- even though not one that made the big time like the rest of them. I'm holding the record he signed for me.
On Jan. 1 1962, the Beatles (with Pete Best on drums) auditioned for DECCA RECORDS in London. They performed 15 songs live in the studio, which were recorded by Decca. They were turned down. Six months later, they signed with EMI. The album I'm holding is what is referred to as THE DECCA SESSIONS. It's the set they performed on 1-1-62. Basically a studio album with Pete as the drummer.
It's a really hard piece of vinyl to find. My copy was pressed in 1979, and I bought it in 1991. It's in FANTASTIC shape. Not a scratch on the disc, and the cover is pretty near mint. Maybe a crease here or there.
There are three Lennon/McCartney original songs on there that they never recorded once they signed with EMI. In 1995, five of these songs (including two of the three Lennon/McCartney songs) were issued on THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY I, but by and large, the entire set of 15 songs is just about impossible to find anymore in one collection.