About this episode

The episode explores the Beatles' journey to London for their Decca recording test on New Year's Eve, 1961.

It's a freezing cold day on New Year's Eve, 1961, and the Beatles are driving down to London for the Decca recording test. Join them at the Royal Hotel in Bloomsbury following a night on the tiles.

Topics covered

• The Beatles
• recording history
• 1960s music
• Decca recording test
• London
• New Year's Eve

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Decca

Places: London, Royal Hotel, Bloomsbury

More episodes of There's a Place

• 10. The Night Beatlemania Was Born · December 12, 2025 · 1h 11m
• 9. Hotel President - the Beatles' First London Home · September 10, 2025 · 1h 19m
• 8. The Beatles Discover London · August 9, 2025 · 50 min
• 7. Brian Epstein vs London · July 26, 2025 · 32 min
• 5. Whaddon House Revisited · November 9, 2024 · 47 min
• 4. Whaddon House: the Party · June 30, 2024 · 31 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the There's a Place podcast page.