Did Tony Meehan reject the Beatles ?

[captainhaddock]

I have read in one or two places now, the theory that Tony Meehan was the A&R man who turned down the Beatles. To what degree is this true and did he ever comment on it?.

[Arpeggio]

No - it isn't true. It was Dick Rowe who turned down the Beatles - in favour of Brian Poole & the Tremeloes. Tony was working for Decca by then - but he wasn't head of A & R.

Rob

[captainhaddock]

Many thanks, Rob, I knew you wouldn't let me down !

[Pedro]

I think it most unlikely that anyone other than another 'Scouser' was on any shortlist for The Beatles.
I can recall paul Mc being asked a question about 'Ringo's' competence. The quetion went ' He' not exactly the best drummer in the world , is he?
Answer: He's not exactly the best drummer in the Beatles.

[Arpeggio]

Pedro - I think that you have misunderstood the original question. Tony Meehan was never considered as the Beatles' drummer. In 1962 he was working in the A & R department of Decca Records when the Beatles turned up for their audition. The Beatles failed the audition & Decca turned them down. Their head of A & R was a guy called Dick Rowe who rejected them because 'Guitar groups are on the way out.' The original question was - did Tony Meehan (in his role at A& R Decca) 'turn down' the Beatles (ie - was it HIS decision NOT to sign them up). So did Tony 'turn down' the Beatles - ie was it his decision not to sign them for Decca Records - answer 'No'. So, nothing to do with Tony turning down an offer to become the Beatles' drummer.

Bests....Rob

[dave robinson]

"I think it most unlikely that anyone other than another 'Scouser' was on any shortlist for The Beatles"

Me thinks you misunderstood the meaning of 'turned down The Beatles'.

[JimN]

I'm afraid that it is true that Tony Meehan (on behalf of Decca) was given the job of rejecting the Beatles in a face-to-face meeting with Brian Epstein in early 1962. He didn't make the actual decision (that was the semi-legendary Dick Rowe), but he was the messenger. The episode is described very clearly in Brian Epstein's autobiography "A Cellarful Of Noise", published in 1964, which was not very long after the incident and not at all likely to have been coloured by the passage of time. I don't have the book now, but did read it many years ago. I'm not likely to forget that passage.

Incidentally, it is possible to date that book as no later than 1964 because the title was notably quoted in the lyric of Tony Hatch's Downtown, written for Petula Clark and a worldwide hit.

Depending on the exact date of the meeting between Tony and Brian, Tony was either still 18 or had just attained his 19th birthday.

JN

[Pedro]

Pedro - I think that you have misunderstood the original question. Tony Meehan was never considered as the Beatles' drummer. In 1962 he was working in the A & R department of Decca Records when the Beatles turned up for their audition. The Beatles failed the audition & Decca turned them down. Their head of A & R was a guy called Dick Rowe who rejected them because 'Guitar groups are on the way out.' The original question was - did Tony Meehan (in his role at A& R Decca) 'turn down' the Beatles (ie - was it HIS decision NOT to sign them up). So did Tony 'turn down' the Beatles - ie was it his decision not to sign them for Decca Records - answer 'No'. So, nothing to do with Tony turning down an offer to become the Beatles' drummer.

Bests....Rob

Yes, indeed I did.

[Arpeggio]

Ah Jim. Indeed. But pedantry rules - it wasn't Tony who took the decision to turn down the Beatles. He was indeed just delivering Dick Rowe's verdict - which had absolutely nothing to do with him. Thus: did Tony Meehan 'turn down' the Beatles for Decca? No. Dick Rowe did.

Bests - Rob