How a lost Beatles tape led to meeting Paul McCartney episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 15, 2026 · 8 MIN

How a lost Beatles tape led to meeting Paul McCartney

from The Current

Rob Frith assumed the old reel-to-reel Beatles tape sitting in his Vancouver record store was just a bootleg. It stayed behind the counter for years until he finally pressed play. What he heard was a pristine recording of the Beatles’ 1962 Decca audition, long believed to be lost. People immediately asked what it was worth. Frith had a different idea. He decided to give the Beatles tape back to Paul McCartney, a choice that led to an unexpected, joyful meeting between a lifelong fan and his musical hero.

Rob Frith assumed the old reel-to-reel Beatles tape sitting in his Vancouver record store was just a bootleg. It stayed behind the counter for years until he finally pressed play. What he heard was a pristine recording of the Beatles’ 1962 Decca audition, long believed to be lost. People immediately asked what it was worth. Frith had a different idea. He decided to give the Beatles tape back to Paul McCartney, a choice that led to an unexpected, joyful meeting between a lifelong fan and his musical hero.

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How a lost Beatles tape led to meeting Paul McCartney

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This episode was published on January 15, 2026.

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Rob Frith assumed the old reel-to-reel Beatles tape sitting in his Vancouver record store was just a bootleg. It stayed behind the counter for years until he finally pressed play. What he heard was a pristine recording of the Beatles’ 1962 Decca...

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