NEW YORK (AP) β The Beatles’ first recording contract, signed in Hamburg, Germany, in 1961 is being auctioned today New York.
Hamburg is where the band honed its craft performing in the city’s boisterous nightclub district between 1960 and 1962. Heritage Auctions’ consignment director for music memorabilia, Dean Harmeyer, says Hamburg is where the Beatles “honed their musical skills,” learning new material that propelled their success.
The 1961 recording session produced the single “My Bonnie,” which was released only in Germany and never hit the top charts. However, the song led directly to the Beatles’ discovery back in England, a contract with EMI and their first hit, “Love Me Do.”
The contract is the centerpiece of a Beatles collection spanning the band’s entire career.
It’s being sold by the estate of Uwe Blaschke (OO’-vah BLASH’-Kah), a noted German Beatles historian who died in 2010.
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171-a-13-(Dean Harmeyer, director, Heritage Auctions, in AP interview)-“Century ever, ever knew”-Dean Harmeyer of Heritage Auctions says the first recording contract signed by the Beatles was in Germany in the early 1960’s. (19 Sep 2015)
< 172-a-09-(Dean Harmeyer, director, Heritage Auctions, in AP interview)-“with the group”-Dean Harmeyer of Heritage Auctions says the Beatles’ contract to back up singer Tony Sheridan was a major step forward for them. (19 Sep 2015) < 173-a-10-(Dean Harmeyer, director, Heritage Auctions, in AP interview)-“given its significance”-Dean Harmeyer of Heritage Auctions says they won’t be surprised if the Beatles’ first recording contract brings more than the asking price. (watch for dating; auction is today.) (19 Sep 2015) <
