Everything Everywhere Daily · Friday, October 2, 2026
The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, recalled that Decca Records rejected the band in 1965, with an executive stating, 'Groups of four guitarists are on the way out.' The transcript also mentions a New York Times review of Pablo Picasso's work from 1911, calling his art 'childish, not to say imbecile, scribbles.'
“we had coffee and Mr. Rowe, a short plump man, said to me, not to mince words, Mr. Epstein, we don't like your boy's sound.”
“Groups of four guitarists are on the way out.”
“It is to be regretted that this unquestionably talented artist should now make his debut with a series of childish, not to say imbecile, scribbles that are no interest either as independent works of art or as steps towards achieving the complete work.”