Real Vs. Fake: how to identify just what version of “Introducing The Beatles” you have.
If you spend a lot of time here on r/vinyl, you’ve probably seen my record label guide posts. Today, I’ve decided to do a guide for identifying an authentic copy of “Introducing The Beatles” and how to spot a counterfeit copy of “Introducing The Beatles”.
First, some history on “Introducing The Beatles”:
In 1962, EMI offered The Beatles’ recordings to Capitol Records, the American division of the EMI family of labels. Capitol initially declined, seeing little to no financial benefit from releasing a British rock act in the American record market.
EMI then shopped around the recordings to other record labels, eventually settling with Vee Jay records in Chicago, Illinois. At the time, Vee Jay Records was one of the biggest R&B labels in America and was the home of such stars as John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, and Gene Chandler. Vee Jay had their sights on expanding to the pop charts, and had recently signed The Four Seasons, which would bring them hits like “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry”.
The initial release of the single “Please, Please Me / Ask Me Why” stalled on the pop charts. Nevertheless, Vee Jay planned an LP release of The Beatles “Please Please Me” album set for July of 1963. Initially, the album was going to be released unaltered and with its original title, but eventually, “Please, Please Me” and “Ask Me Why” were removed and the album was retitled to “Introducing The Beatles”.
Unfortunately, around the time the album was set for release, major shake-ups happened at Vee Jay Records. The old manager was kicked out for using company money to pay off gambling debts, and new management was brought in. This left the label in a tight spot financially, and The Beatles album was shelved to save money.
The next American releases were released on the Philadelphia based Swan Records. In late 1963, Capitol Records decided to start distributing The Beatles’ records in America, smelling a huge musical explosion on the horizon.
In 1964, Vee Jay Records were desperate for money. Despite knowing the risk of legal retaliation from Capitol Records, Vee Jay decided to release the shelved Beatles album from July of 1963. The initial release had the tracks “Love Me Do” and “P.S., I Love You” on it. Swift legal action was taken by Capitol Records, and the album was quickly pulled from shelves.
In February, the album was rereleased, this time with the songs “Ask Me Why” and “Please, Please Me”. Capitol would once again take legal action against Vee Jay Records, and an agreement was reached where Vee Jay could continue to sell the recordings they owned from The Beatles until October 1964, when the rights would go to Capitol.
Starting in the late 60’s and continuing through the 90’s, unofficial reissues of “Introducing The Beatles” started circulating around the record market. Some of these even made their way to reputable record stores and department stores, meaning that these counterfeits became widespread. It’s been said that “Introducing The Beatles” may be the most counterfeited record of all time.