Cassette with his first recording Sir Rod Stewart, which helped secure his first record deal, is to be auctioned in the UK by his former manager. Jonathan Rowlands, 83, said the 15IPS analogue tape was sent to Decca Records as an audition recording in 1964 and the result was Stewart’s first record deal.

The tape, available only as a collector’s item and out of copyright, is estimated to sell for £500-£1,000. Among other items in the Cheffins auction in Cambridge are photocopies of Rowlands’ 1964 appointment diary detailing his meetings with Rod Stewart.

The recording took place on June 18, 1964, in sound engineer Pepe Rush’s basement studio in Soho, London.

The tape includes the songs: Just Like I Treat You, Moppers Blues, Bright Lights Big City, Keep Your Hands Off Her, Don’t Tell Nobody, Ain’t That Loving You Baby and Worksong.

Jonathan Rowlands said the tape “will make someone very happy”.

“We knew Rod was something special. Like Tom Jones and Elton John he has something that has allowed him to stay relevant in the music industry even after all these years.