AfterDawn: News

Beatles finally coming to iTunes?

The United Press International has reported that a tentative agreement between Apple and former Beatle Paul McCartney had been made which would mean that the Beatles' back catalog will finally be available for digital distribution on iTunes.

The deal, which could be in excess of $400 million USD, will be split between all the former members of the Beatles, Sony, EMI, and Michael Jackson all of which have some rights to the songs, whether it be in publishing, recording or reproduction.



Paul McCartney recently released his latest solo work for distribution on iTunes and that was followed by the release of John Lennon's solo work prompting widespread rumors that the Beatles catalog would soon follow. There has been no official announcement from either McCartney or Apple so for now the report is just speculation but we will keep you updated.


Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Mar 2008 12:45

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• 9 comments

• DXR88

  Uhh. Okay thats good for some people i guess, i have some of there 45's that i converted to .WAV then to MP3. but okay..

  10.3.2008 13:33 #1

• gallagher

  I guess they finally decided to catch up to their Russian counterparts who have been selling their music online for years . . .
  
  All these groups who continue to restrict the buyer only encourage online piracy.

  10.3.2008 20:06 #2

• jony218

  That's what they said last year. Either way I still got there greatest hits volume 1 and 2 on cassette in case I need to listen to them. I think this is a case of "closing the door after the horse has left the barn". I don't think the new generation of listeners prefer the heavy funk guitar music the beatles where known for, they prefer the new wave type music with a little rap influence.

  10.3.2008 22:17 #3

• A_Klingon

  Originally posted by jony218: I don't think the new generation of listeners prefer the heavy funk guitar music the beatles where known for, they prefer the new wave type music with a little rap influence.The Beatles are reknowned throughout the civilized world as Pop-Music revolutionaries, not "heavy funk guitar music". I own every album they ever made. (Not the obscure bootleg stuff or re-re-re-compilations). They are and were genuine Musical ICONS.
  
  RAP music just gives me an irritating rash, not unlike poison ivy. It's not music. It's noise. Makes my nose bleed. ("Gangsta Rap" makes my eyes bleed.)
  
  Michael Jackson (of "Jesus Juice" fame) owns all the copyrights on the Beatle's catalog. He desperately needs the iTunes revenue to keep his Neverland Ranch (or whatever he calls it) from annihilation from creditors. I was reading where Mr. Millionaire is a stone's-throw away from bankruptcy.
  
  And Paul McCartney. What's he worth these days? Estimates have him pegged at about a half-billion, US$. He needs iTunes about as much as I need Sony's DRM.

  10.3.2008 23:05 #4

• cousinkix

  Heather the gold digger is thinning out Sir Paul's fortune too. She's gonna get something like $100 million USD out of his bank accounts. Jesus juice Jackson hasn't paid property taxes on his NeverLand Ranch for many years; so the Santa Barbara County asessor is gonna sell it at auction after a certain date...

  12.3.2008 03:15 #5

• A_Klingon

  Quote:Heather the gold digger is thinning out Sir Paul's fortune too.....(Yeah.... and probably his hair too). <gg>
  
  I just wish John Lennon were alive today (and George Harrison too). John would have a field day with this 'Heather Fiasco'.
  
  Heather, the poor, disadvantaged dear. You see, cousinkix, Heather - strapped with the heartbreaking inability to shop-till-she-drops at New York's finer jewellery stores, tells us, teary-eyed & with lower-lip trembling, that she needs this money to "live the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed."
  
  It's such a tragedy. [Boo-hoo; dabbing eyes, pass the hankie will ya? - I gotta blo my node]. How's she supposed be able to afford all those neat Blu Ray movies coming out this year?
  
  Maybe Paul could write a song about her on his next album. (for iTunes, of course).
  
  And maybe we could take up a collection for poor ol' 'Jesus Juice' himself ??
  
  :-)

  12.3.2008 05:36 #6

• DXR88

  Leave (I got Candie, little boys) outta this okay, cause every body knows (Jesus Juice) is orange juice modified by (Mister real life potato head) himself.

  12.3.2008 12:07 #7

• A_Klingon

  Originally posted by DXR88: Leave (I got Candie, little boys) outta this okay, cause every body knows (Jesus Juice) is orange juice modified by (Mister real life potato head) himself.<hee-hee> :-)
  
  Yeah, yeah .... that's it! "Modified Orange Juice."
  
  80%-PROOF Orange Juice! (LOL!)

  13.3.2008 00:11 #8

• hughjars

  Only a little while to go then until George W Bush's Beatles songs on his iPod are legal then, eh?
  
  http://digg.com/music/GW_Bush_s_iPod_con...to_RIAA)_music_
  
  But rest easy folks.
  You can be sure the RIAA won't be trying to make an example out of him, despite his public comments that the Beatles were one of his iPod favs
  (and must therefore have been downloaded and/or copied illegally).

  13.3.2008 08:13 #9