Industry May 14, 2026
The Beatles’ ‘First Known’ Recording Sparks Legal Battle With UMG
When a famed Abbey Road engineer died in 2018, a long-lost Beatles demo tape was found in his house. UMG says he stole it, and its lawyers want it back.
Originally published by
Billboard
A demo tape featuring what is believed to be the earliest known recording by The Beatles has become the subject of a legal dispute. The tape was discovered in the home of an Abbey Road engineer who passed away in 2018. Universal Music Group (UMG) claims the engineer stole the tape, and the company is seeking its return through legal channels. UMG considers the recording a "highly valuable artifact." Originally reported by Billboard.