EMI has recalled The Beatles’ ‘Love Me Do’ 50-year anniversary single re-release after an error resulted in a version of the track being pressed without Ringo Starr.
To celebrate the anniversary of the Fab Four’s debut single, the vinyl was set for re-release but was swiftly withdrawn from sale due to the incorrect version featuring Andy White on drums being used instead of the original.
There exist two renditions of the single: one with Ringo on drums, recorded on September 4, 1962, which was included in the early version of the single, and another with Andy White, who was brought in by producer George Martin and appears on the ‘Please, Please Me’ album.
Richard Porter of www.beatlesinlondon.com has acquired a copy of this now rare vinyl pressing and confirmed that it is not the original 1962 Parlophone release of the single.
He stated: “When playing the single, the mistake is clear. The version featured is not the original single but the one with Andy White on drums and Ringo on tambourine. The version that should have been included has Ringo on drums.”
EMI has communicated with record dealers regarding the recall, stating that there are currently “no plans to produce the correct version.” The label also mentioned they were instructed by The Beatles’ Apple label to destroy the vinyl.
by Wallace McTavish
