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Unique 10˝ MGM/Verve Records one-sided 45 RPM mono acetate pressing of "Ain't She Sweet," originally recorded as one of eight songs for Bert Kaempfert Produktion in Hamburg, Germany, in 1961. The acetate disc bears a black-and-white MGM/Verve Records "Reference Recording" label, filled out in type: "Title: Ain't She Sweet, Artist: The Beatles - John Lennon."
In early 1964, shortly after Beatlemania exploded in the United States, MGM Records leased the rights to four of the eight Beatles 1961 Hamburg recordings, most of which featured Tony Sheridan on vocals. MGM rapidly released these four songs ('My Bonnie,' 'The Saints,' 'Cry for a Shadow,' and 'Why') in the United States in the first half of 1964—with tremendous success—and were preparing to release singles for the remaining songs, including 'Ain't She Sweet,' in the second half of the year.
Before the release could proceed, MGM learned that Atlantic Records had secured the rights to the remaining four Hamburg tracks. This acetate represents the only known surviving artifact of MGM’s planned but unreleased 45 of “Ain’t She Sweet,” making it a unique and historically significant relic from the peak of Beatlemania.
When Atlantic Records released 'Ain't She Sweet' on July 6, 1964 (ATCO 45-6308), the label indicated the artist as 'The Beatles,' but added 'Vocal By John Lennon'—distinguishing it from the other Hamburg sessions led by Tony Sheridan. Similarly, this MGM acetate lists the artist as "The Beatles - John Lennon," singling out John as the lead vocalist.
This acetate is featured on page 84 of The Beatles Swan Song: She Loves You & Other Records by acclaimed Beatles author and historian Bruce Spizer.
Condition (VG-): The lacquer looks well-used, with a couple of tiny edge chips, but plays well with no skips and some moderate background noise.
From the Mark Erbach Collection.
