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Memphis Tennessee , recorded at the infamous Decca Auditions on the 1st of January 1962 with original drummer Pete Best.

"Memphis, Tennessee" is a song written and recorded by Chuck Berry, first released in 1959.

The Beatles’ famous audition for Decca Records took place in London on New Year’s Day in 1962.

The session followed the label’s A&R representative Mike Smith’s attendance at a Cavern performance on 13 December 1961. The Beatles’ performance that night hadn’t been strong enough to secure them a record deal, but the label was willing to offer them a session in their studios at 165 Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London.

The group – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best – travelled down from Liverpool with driver and roadie Neil Aspinall. Beset by snowstorms, the party eventually arrived just in time for the 11am audition. Brian Epstein had travelled separately.

The group was annoyed that Smith turned up late, having spent the night before seeing in the new year. Smith further unnerved them by insisting they use Decca’s amplifiers, having judged The Beatles’ own gear to be substandard.

The Beatles recorded 15 songs altogether but were unsuccessful in obtaining a recording contract from Decca.

However, the Decca audition tapes did prove fortunate for The Beatles. Had they signed to Decca, their career may never have involved Ringo Starr, who joined the group only after George Martin expressed concerns about Pete Best’s drumming.

Furthermore, the audition gave Brian Epstein some good-quality recordings of the group, on reel-to-reel, enabling him to take them around the remaining London labels.