My first Decca LP was this wonderful performance of Beethoven's 'Eroica' symphony with Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker on the 'Jubllee' series which first appeared in 1977. I well recall their striking cover photographs of old Vienna and historic paintings that graced the early releases in that series - which pave the way for my enjoyment of classical music. Robert Kenchington 03/05/19

I joined the company on 24th November 1969 and left on 24th November 1985 having worked in a variety of departments beginning in the Classical Artists under Ray Minshull, moving to MOR under Colin Borland and finally being in charge of Pop and MOR back catalogue exploitation in my last few years after the Polygram takeover. I have continued to work in the business ever since and a former colleague once estimated that I had put together more back catalogue compilations of classical, MOR and Pop than anyone else in the history of the business. Still keep in touch with several of my former colleagues and its good to see the company still going having survived all the trials and tribulations of the record business in the last ninety years. Tony Watts tonywa33 29/04/19

Nearly 50 years ago I joined Decca as a tape operator working mainly on Phase 4 with the two Arthurs - Arthur Lilley and Arthur Bannister. It was one of the most exciting times of my life working with so many talented musicians and artists. I did a lot of sessions with Mantovani, Ronnie Aldrich as well as Jacqes Loussier. I used to go and buy marmalade for Leopold Stokowski from the shop across the road from the West Hampstead studios! I still have a lot of test pressings from those Decca days - irreplaceable. peterw80 25/04/19

As a fifteen year old boy of small stature I couldn’t resit an offer in a small advert in the local evening paper over 50 years ago in 1963. Boy required for extra by Doyle Carte Opera Company. I fitted the criteria of being 4ft 8inches or thereabouts and had enjoyed being in both the Pirates of Penzance and Patience with my school. Both were Gilbert and Sullivan Operas and that is what Doyle Carte were known for. The advert had been placed by the nearby Palace Theatre literally a two minute walk from my home. I must have been the first in the queue when I dropped in to the stage door to see the manager as I got the job. It was a few weeks later when I was in the dressing room dressed as the axe bearer for a walk on role in The Mikado. As it was getting close to curtain up I was getting a little worried about what was expected of me as there was no rehearsal. The music started for the overture and someone took me to the stage and walked me through the positions I should be during my 5 minute appearance. It all went well and in all I did three performances with the company who were very welcoming. One of the company even went around with a souvenir programme and passed in on to me, each of the members of the cast from principals to chorus had autographed. Needless to say I was thrilled. Payment? I was actually paid for my appearances the princely sum of 30 shillings (£1.50 now) not enough for a full cast album but Decca did do a 10 inch version with the main ten songs which I purchased as a keepsake. I still have my first Decca album together with press cuttings and programmes. My next Decca album was Aftermath by the Rolling Stones, a different bag altogether. Later albums from the company would include Moody Blues, Caravan, Michael Chapman, Mari Wilson, the Communards all in a different genre altogether. Most recently I’ve purchased CD’s from Rufus Wainwright. Of course my first purchase will always remain special and still gets an airing on the turntable every so often. Roy Perring, Plymouth CMS user 20/04/19