Beatles Hits Come To Apple's iTunes Store

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

Beatles' hits come to Apple's iTunes store
Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:57am EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Finally, the Beatles are available on iTunes.

The legendary pop group's 13 albums can now be downloaded through the world's No. 1 digital music retailer, Apple Inc said on Tuesday.

"I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when Beatles are coming to iTunes," Ringo Starr said in a statement. "At last, if you want it you can get it."

The songs will be sold for $1.29 each, albums at $12.99, and double albums at $19.99 -- in line with other premium-priced music on iTunes.

The deal comes after years of negotiating between Apple founder Steve Jobs, Beatles management company Apple Corps, and the Beatles label EMI Group.

Read more: http://us.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSN1610345720101116?ca=rdt

[naaman fletcher]

1. I'm kind of hoping its a dud,

and not nearly as many are sold as expected.

[karynnj]

3. Why - they have some of the greatest music created in lst century

I expect that it might be lower than expected as so many of us have most of the Beatles albums on CD and already have them on our IPODS.

[naaman fletcher]

5. For being jerks and holding out for so long, after so many years

I dunno, it just rubs me the wrong way.

[Drale]

10. To be fair for a while

it was very hard to even find beatles CD's at the store. They just recently released all of them again.

[LTR]

11. A lot of it was due to heavy negotiations

There are three parties involved: Apple Corps. (a.k.a. the Beatles' Apple, which represents their interests), Apple Inc. (the Steve Jobs one) and EMI. The Beatles' have been squabbling with both Apple Inc. and EMI for years, hence it was a three-way battle, including a ton of lawyers, lawsuits, etc. All beefs with Jobs' Apple (and there were!) were settled years ago, but they've been battling with EMI for even longer (Paul McCartney has himself been quite vocal in his disapproval of the current management, and even took his back solo catalog to another label in protest). Most of the issues are about control of their output and, of course, money (Apple Corps must approve any Beatles-related product before EMI issues it). Many artists from that era would KILL for the power to do that, as many had basically signed everything away to various unscrupulous parties (i.e. which is why Lennon and McCartney don't own their compositions but Sony does -- though Michael Jackson's estate owns part of it).

Negotiations for iTunes availability have been going on for years. Part of it is probably stubbornness on behalf of Apple Corps. (though the remaining Beatles and their estates have wanted the iTunes thing to happen for years - all or most of their solo works are available for download). It probably helps that the current head of Apple Corps. is a guy who's experience was in catalog reissues with Sony's Legacy division. I'm sure he's been more aggressive in getting the music out there.

I was looking forward for a longer time for a remastered catalog release (as the 1987 CD releases had grown quite stale). I'm glad they released them last year, and I bought them and enjoy them immensely. The effort was the result of years of work on behalf of the EMI engineering staff, which is another reason for the holdup. I will say that I applaud that when they do something in this day and age, they don't do it half-assed (remember what Capitol did with their stuff in the late '70s-early '80s?). They do take their time, and when they do something (i.e. the BBC album, Anthology, a thoroughly remixed "Yellow Submarine" 'songtrack', "Love", Rock Band and two re-released movies, in addition to the hits packages to appeal to casual fans), they do it tastefully. A lot less tacky than other artists (i.e. Elvis, Michael Jackson, and yes, John Lennon). It's not about being jerks, it's about doing all they can to represent their music in the best way possible. Now, they've got a product that will stand strong for decades, rather than a slapped-together, sloppy effort. Not a bad thing.

Now, lots of people are sneering about the Beatles on iTunes, claiming that they don't need downloads. Hell, they've already ripped the new CDs to their computers/iPods anyways -- I certainly have! Well, this isn't for the hardcore fans (though they do have a nice little bonus in the 1964 D.C. concert). It's for casual fans and people that just want to download, say, "I Am The Walrus" and nothing else. Not everything has to be geared toward the die-hards. I for one applaud that they're looking to appeal to different sets of ears and younger generations. I can respect that, as every hardcore fan should.

[naaman fletcher]

14. interesting, thank you. nt.

[CountAllVotes]

17. Michael Jackson ...

He owned almost 50% of the catalog.

This is why some people thing he is dead. :tinfoilhat:

The claim was that MJ was broke when he died. As long as MJ owned that catalog, he never stood the chance of ever being broke and he knew it.

As a side note: That said, good luck Steve Jobs.

I've got my old vinyl LPs and a BSR turntable to listen to them on still. :P

[karynnj]

19. Thanks for the great explaination

[WingDinger]

2. What a surprise. Right after they shut down Limewire.

[Crowman1979]

4. What, no vinyl re-issues? Bummer!

[harmonicon]

16. There were vinyl reissues in the 90's.

I bought a few of them - they're great. I imagine many are still around to be had new, or at least barely used.

[Romulox]

6. Yep. Own original issue CDs and re-issue mono set already. LP is the ONLY thing I might bite on...

I guess the kinder who are just hearing about the Beatles for the first time might get excited about this?

[Yavin4]

18. How's That Easy Flow Elbow Surgery Working Out for You?

Who else has it again?

[Romulox]

20. Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow

and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis. :wow:

[Yavin4]

25. "I'm on the phone"

"we talked about this already"


Love that episode.

[Romulox]

26. What's it look like dude? It's a GRAPPLING HOOK! Where have you been, man???

http://video.adultswim.com/aqua-teen-hunger-force/bruce-willis.html

:rofl:

OK, I'll stop now.

[alfredo]

28. I think young musicians should be interested in what

they did behind the wonderful vocals. Paul's bass is sweet. Ringo is solid. Listen to the piano on "Good Day sunshine." What a hoot! Have them listen to How "Mean Mr Mustard", "Polythene Pam" segues into "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_NbbyRLqcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRzWzP8Os0U

I remember many budding guitarist having to learn more than the standard rock chords so they could play Beatle songs. Though the Beatles were vocal driven, there is much more to learn from their instrumentation. Give them a deep listen.

[Romulox]

29. Dude. Which part of "I own the original CDs and the reissue mono set" is confusing to you?

"Give them a deep listen."

:wtf:

[alfredo]

30. I wasn't saying anything about you, I was saying in general

that a young musician can learn a lot by listening to their music.

[meegbear]

7. What an iJoke ...

Jobs, you're an iDouche.

[DainBramaged]

8. This is news?

:shrug:

[frylock]

9. this is why i hate all things apple, right here..

really?! this is the big news that's going to permeate the airwaves for the next three days?! big fucking deal.

[TheWatcher]

15. This is not as anti-climactic as "The Segway" Announcement.

But it's definitely good for a laugh. :)

[Harry Monroe]

12. Yawn!!!

I've got 174 Beatles songs downloaded via various sources. I think I'm set, thank you very much Steve Jobs. Didn't want to wait on Apple and Apple forever!!

[gratuitous]

13. Just buy a frickin' CD

Kids today, want everything just handed to them. Copy the file from a CD, you buncha whiners. Is that so hard?

[durkermaker]

21. 'All you need is love'

but if you want our 45 year old songs we want MONEY!!!

and understand that WE own the rights to pictures of an APPLE!!!!!

WE INVENTED THE APPLE!!!

[Taverner]

22. I still want one of those USB Apple Thingys

With the whole catalog on there, in mp3

[Parche]

23. yeah i have been getting dozens of those calls a day

and its not my department....:hi:

[Quantess]

24. Great. As if I hadn't already heard every single Beatles song a million times already.

[Bombero1956]

27. oh well too late

I had just purchased the 4 CD set from QVC which sold for a little over $50 for 54 songs. As of now I have 65 singles in all. Not sure I'll buy anything from the ITunes store.