Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iTS, Rumors, Steve Jobs, Apple
The Beatles don't go on
Well the one rumor that I thought was least likely (that the Beatles were a no go at this morning's event) turned out to be true. There is still no Beatles music available on the iTunes store, either in the WiFi store or otherwise.Not that Steve didn't taunt us. Over and over again, he threw down hints the whole time-- he played "Give Peace a Chance" as a ringtone (joking that it was for when NBC called), played Lennon to demo the new WiFi store, and played Paul McCartney to bring the chairman of Starbucks on stage. Heck, the name of the event was "The Beat Goes On." He knows we want the Beatles (even if Scott doesn't), and he played with our emotions all day.
But when "One more thing..." came out, it was the Starbucks deal and KT Tunstall performing. And we're left with no idea when (or if ever) we'll be able to buy Apple recordings in Apple's online music store.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
artifex said 4:37PM on 9-05-2007
I heard it was because Yoko was mad and wanted her $200 back. :)
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thechraveler said 4:44PM on 9-05-2007
who cares about being able to buy the beatles on iTunes when you can "buy" them off bittorrent right now?
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Jason said 4:44PM on 9-05-2007
I don't understand why having the Beatles on iTunes is some sort of meaningful threshold to be crossed. Who cares?
If you want the Beatles go get the CD's and rip them to your computer. Is it like everyone out there who doesn't own any Beatles tracks isn't allowed to buy any Beatles music unless it comes from the iTunes store?
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FortNinety said 4:50PM on 9-05-2007
"I don't understand why having the Beatles on iTunes is some sort of meaningful threshold to be crossed. Who cares?"
The irony behind this statement literally makes my head hurt.
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Johnny Thrash said 4:55PM on 9-05-2007
I don't listen to that old style of music myself. So it don't even matter to me.
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Quix said 5:02PM on 9-05-2007
I vote we never discuss "The Beatles in iTunes" again. Unless it actually happens. Is anyone with me? This possibility gets *way* too much chatter for the *low* potential impact it offers.
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max Walker said 6:41PM on 9-05-2007
Beatles or Starbucks - who cares.
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Adam said 5:16PM on 9-05-2007
Isn't Paul McCartney making a special announcement on BBC tonight? Did that already happen?
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goneflyin said 5:18PM on 9-05-2007
Just heard a snippet of an interview with Steve Jobs on CNBC... Sounds like they're "talking frequently" and Jobs is hoping for an agreement within "6 months".
That's just my paraphrasing of a reporter's paraphrasing, so don't shoot me if it don't work out!
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Paul said 5:26PM on 9-05-2007
I think it'll happen this year, but I don't think it will be announced at a major event. Look for a press release, a banner on the iTunes store and Apple.com, and probably a TV spot or two. I don't think Apple's going to try to make a press event out of it, unless they have something else to announce.
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rp said 5:28PM on 9-05-2007
Who cares? What I want is smaller, less popular record labels like Ganja and Ram, not more of the same to appeal to the generic taste of the masses.
And seriously, who doesn't own a Beatles CD? Even I own one and I don't really like the Beatles. It's not like having the Beatles on iTunes means that somehow a bunch of brand new tracks by them will come out. It's all been done before. Let them fade away into pop obscurity (yeah yeah, and I bet lots of people thought that Count Bassie would be well known forever also) and let KT (whoever that is) take their place in the never ending cycle of mediocre output.
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djfred said 5:36PM on 9-05-2007
I think it's gotta be soon or he wouldn't be taunting us so overtly. Either that or he's losing his showman's instincts because I'm thinking it's probably not a good idea to end a keynote on such a deflating note. That magic Starbucks button is going to be cool once they add some new partners and services but for now it's something I wold consider more an imposition.
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djfred said 5:49PM on 9-05-2007
I agree with Paul that it won't be a press event. I think they'll just throw up a commercial and let the news be that wily Steve didn't hold a news conference. They'll get more publicity that way. How about iTunes to the chorus of Hey Jude?
@rp i think you mean Count Basie but maybe you're referring to some obscure band that I'm just too generic to have heard of. In any case, i don't think the Beatles are in any danger of fading into obscurity. We all go through that stage of needing to feel superior to the masses but most of us grow out of it by about 16 or so...... So maybe there's hope.
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Luigi193 said 5:51PM on 9-05-2007
I was reading the post and then I looked up at the SEEMINGLY normal beetles pic, and saw steve in there and almost fell down laughing!!!! Its now my buddy icon.
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Galls said 6:36PM on 9-05-2007
There is a significance to the Beatles going over to a digital download format as it symbolically legitimizes the idea.
Now while you kids listen to extremely crappy "music" today that has no melody or even attempts to be pleasant to the ear. The Beatles (and Led Zeppelin) have always been the last major band to adopt a new format. When they do adopt to the new format it is big deal to a very large amount of people.
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artman1033 said 7:00PM on 9-05-2007
I thought Michael Jackson and SONY own the rights to The Beatles music playlist. Why would SONY want to help the competition?
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CaptainWrong said 9:36PM on 9-05-2007
@16 Ack! This is the oldest misunderstanding in the book. Sony/ATV/Michael Jackson own the *publishing* rights for most of the Beatles catalog, which is considerably different than the rights to the sound recordings. Those are owned by Apple Corps./EMI and they could give those to whomever they choose.
http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/jackson.asp
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Likely said 12:57PM on 9-06-2007
Who gives a toss, can't believe people still waffling on about The Beatles, I'm waiting for the newly released highlights of England winning the World Cup in 66 on videeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooo, now that's news.
Rather listen to paint dry or something along those lines, this is so boring my brain is shutting down.................
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Justin said 3:00PM on 9-06-2007
Its not about just getting the Beatles music out there in a different format. More than likely if they do go digital, then finally there will be a remastering of all their material. The current Beatles CD's are alright quality but not nearly as good as they should be. Beatles fans have been waiting for this remastered series for years and it still has not happened.
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