At Decca, Smith was hired by producer Frank Lee to assist him in recording sessions for the likes of
Mantovani,
Edmundo Ros,
Vera Lynn and
Winifred Atwell. For an office party, Smith made a spoof radio tribute about Lee, and after hearing it, Lee was so impressed by Smith's technical ability that he promoted him to a producer. In December 1961,
Brian Epstein, the manager for the then relatively unknown band
the Beatles used his influence to invite Decca to audition the band after they had been rejected by a number of other labels. Smith travelled to
The Cavern Club in
Liverpool to watch them perform and impressed he invited them to a
formal audition at
Decca Studios on
New Year's Day (though later Smith said "I should have trusted my instincts [in signing them] as I thought they were wonderful on stage"). Whilst the Beatles were nervous and had to use Decca's studio equipment, after Smith who had arrived late after an all-night party deemed their equipment substandard, the members and Epstein were confident after the session that they would get a contract with Decca. However, that same day, another group,
Brian Poole and the Tremeloes were also auditioning with Decca to try to secure a contract. Smith wanted to sign both groups, but Rowe told him that they would only take one of the groups and left the decision up to Smith. Whilst not reaching the level of success as the Beatles, the Tremeloes were still successful. Produced by Smith, the group had several top-ten UK hits, including the number-one "
Do You Love Me", before the departure of
Brian Poole in early 1966. During this period, Smith also produced hits for Fury,
the Applejacks and
Dave Berry. Following Poole's departure to start a solo career at
CBS Records, the group continued. During a recording session with the Tremeloes, Smith found out he was earning less than the Tremeloes' van driver, so went to Rowe and asked to a raise. Rowe said he couldn't have one, nor a
royalty, so Smith left Decca. ==References==