Dick Rowe


Richard Paul "Dick" Rowe was Head of A&R at Decca Records from the 1950s to the 1970s.
He is historically presented in popular musical history as the man who did not sign the Beatles. In Brian Epstein's 1964 autobiography, Rowe is quoted as having rejected them with the words: "Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein", although he denied ever having said this. He later signed the Rolling Stones after their audition, thanks to an introduction and encouragement from Harrison.

Career

He was one of the most important producers and record executives in the United Kingdom in the 1950s and early 1960s and is the man who signed the Rolling Stones, Them, the Moody Blues, the Tremeloes, the Zombies, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, the Brumbeats, the Tornados, Tom Jones, the Small Faces, the Marmalade, Billy Fury, Tommy Steele, Animals, Cat Stevens, Procol Harum, Kathy Kirby, Gilbert O Sullivan, the Circus and Eternal Triangle amongst others. Rowe rejected The Beatles. However, declaring that "guitar bands are on their way out"; the Beatles went on to land a recording contract with EMI/Parlophone and become the biggest selling and most influential rock band of all time.

List of production

As a producer he had several number ones in the singles chart, and his discography includes:
Rowe left Decca in 1975. He died of diabetes on 6 June 1986. His son, Richard Rowe a solicitor worked at CBS Records/Sony Records and was president of SonyATV music publishing.