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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Pye Make Strong Offer for Rolling Stones”

THE STONES TURN DOWN PYE RECORDS
Back in 1965, Pye Records made a bold play to snatch The Rolling Stones once their Decca deal wrapped up. Andrew Loog Oldham even sat down with Pye execs to talk it over, and the offer was serious cash. But in true Stones fashion, the band stuck with Decca, keeping their momentum rolling. It’s one of those “what if” moments in rock history—imagine how different things might’ve turned out if they’d jumped ship.

*From the Record Mirror, England, February 13 1965

*Click for more YESTERDAY’S PAPERS

PYE have made a very strong offer for the Rolling Stones to switch to their label when the group’s Decca contract expires shortly. An official source revealed that Andrew Oldham has been having talks with Pye executives recently.

All the Stones’ records have been issued by Decca since they began their recording career with Chuck Berry’s “Come On” in 1963.
Their latest LP “Rolling Stones Vol. II” is at the top of the RM album chart, having replaced “Beatles For Sale” last week.

During the past few months, the Pye label has increased its prestige with big hits from such artists as Petula Clark, the Rockin’ Berries, Sandie Shaw, the Kinks, the Searchers, and Tommy Quickly.

The Rolling Stones’ first British tour of 1965 begins at Edmonton Regal on March 5. And a strong supporting bill has been signed for the two-week run.

The Hollies, Goldie and the Gingerbreads, Dave Berry and the Cruisers, the Original Checkmates, and a new four-man variety act from Kent, the Konrads.

The Stones are due back from Australia and Singapore on February 20 and must immediately record a spot for BBC-1’s “Top of The Pops” for screening at the end of this month or early March.

On February 28, they guest on ATV’s controversial “Eamonn Andrews Show.”

The full tour dates after Edmonton are Liverpool Empire (6), Manchester Palace (7), Scarborough Futurist (8), Sunderland Odeon (9), Huddersfield ABC (10), Sheffield Town Hall (11), Leicester ABC (12), Rugby Granada (13), Rochester Odeon (14), Guildford Odeon (15), Greenwood Granada (16), Chelmsford Odeon (17) and Romford ABC (18).

Back in 1965 Pye Records have made a very strong offer to The Rolling Stones to switch to their label when the group’s Decca contract expires shortly. At the time an official source revealed that Andrew Oldham had been having talks with Pye executives, but the Stones finally stayed with Decca.

The recording company was one of the most influential British record labels of the 20th century, playing a huge role in shaping the UK’s pop and rock scene. Originally a television and electronics company, Pye entered the music business in the 1950s, quickly becoming a powerhouse for both homegrown and international artists.

During the late ’50s and early ’60s, Pye was known for its strong lineup of pop and rock acts, including The Kinks, who delivered some of their biggest hits under the label. Other major names included The Searchers, Sandie Shaw, and Petula Clark, whose music defined the sound of the era. Pye wasn’t just about pop, though—it had a diverse catalog that ranged from jazz and classical to folk and comedy records.

As the 1960s progressed, Pye continued to thrive, but by the ’70s, the music industry was changing fast. The label struggled to keep up with the rise of more experimental rock and the dominance of bigger companies. It rebranded as Pye/EMI in an attempt to stay relevant, but by the early ’80s, the brand had mostly faded away.

Despite its decline, Pye’s legacy remains strong. Many of the records it released are now considered classics, and its role in the British Invasion and the development of pop and rock music can’t be overlooked. For a label that started as a side project for an electronics company, Pye Records left behind a pretty impressive musical footprint.

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