Record store owner accidentally found 1962 Beatles audition tape. Then Paul McCartney came calling
'Basically, that’s why I have a record store, because of the influence from you guys,' Rob remarked.
For years, Rob Frith, owner of Neptoon Records in Vancouver, B.C., thought that he had some random Beatles tape titled “Beatles Early Demos” in his store, Antique Reader reported. He didn’t think much of it and let it sit near his cashier for years. It was in March 2025 that he randomly decided to play it while working with his friend, a music preservation expert, Larry Hennessey. To his surprise, he learned that it was the original tape, ideally from a 1962 audition. When he shared the news online, among many responders was the Beatles’ rockstar, Paul McCartney, himself. He knew instantly he had to contact Rob and make this experience a memorable one.
The tape was initially acquired by Jack Herschorn, former owner of Can-Base Studios (later Mushroom Records), around the late 1960s and 1970s. He left the tape behind before moving, and it reached the hands of an anonymous collector who, in turn, sold it to Rob. The Neptoon Records owner was clueless about the potential of the tape he had. It consisted of 15 songs, including “Like Dreamers Do,” “Hello Little Girl,” and “Love Of The Loved,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney at the time. The tape was reportedly an audition for a record group, and though they were rejected back then, they went on to make history as the Beatles.
The owner decided against selling the tape at an auction because he wanted it to end up in the right hands, according to CTV News. Ben Frith, manager at the store, recalled, “That tape would have sat in some millionaire or billionaire's basement never to be looked at again.” Rob posted about his discovery, and the popular songwriter received the news. “I picked up this tape years ago that had Beatles Demos on it. I just figured it was a tape off a bootleg record. After hearing it last night for the first time, it sounds like a master tape. The quality is unreal,” he wrote in his caption.
Upon finding out, Paul McCartney arranged for a meeting with Rob and his family and planned a lunch and rehearsal with them. The family got to sit live and enjoy a rehearsal, and it was a priceless experience like no other. “I told Paul, ‘You changed my life as far as music. Basically, that’s why I have a record store, because of the influence from you guys,'” Rob remarked. The family was thrilled, too. “We hung out with him for like, 40 minutes. He’s an absolute sweetheart of a guy. If you’re a Beatles fan and you thought he was a really cool person, he was even nicer than you could imagine, just such a down-to-earth, nice, sweet guy,” the owner added, per WDRV News.
Ben recounted a moment from the visit. “He [Paul McCartney] came up to my mom and went, ‘Vicki, how are you today?’ And I thought I saw her soul exit her body right about then. The owner received signed albums and other items from McCartney, but what was more thrilling was the meet itself. Handing over the tape to the original creator felt like the perfect idea, and to get a meeting with the legendary musician in return was a brilliant offer. “I got paid because I got to meet Paul McCartney. So that was good enough for me,” Rob remarked. He also shared posts of a signed picture. He wrote, “Certainly the best 24 hours I can remember." @guieneapigsteve wrote, This story is for the ages. The true spirit of kindness, generosity, and rock and roll.” @kirsten.2045 added, “I would have that framed above the Mantel.”
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