Filed under: Multimedia, Rumors, Odds and ends, iTunes, Music
Rumors: The Beatles on iTunes? Yoko says yes, EMI says not yet
So, the friend of a friend told me that the Beatles is finally going to be on iTunes tomorrow.Not so fast, EMI immediately countered.
In the latest chapter of a saga filled with more "will they, or won't they?" than a shoujo manga, Engadget picked up a 9to5Mac report today stating that Yoko Ono is talking about an iTunes arrival for the Beatles on an already Fab Four-packed 9/9/09. We've already speculated about it once, but Yoko's words caused the Twitter feeds to immediately jump alive with fevered speculation that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow's finally the day.
I'm with Steve Sande. Seeing Paul, Ringo, Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison (who helped mastermind The Beatles: Rock Band -- my reservation was made for the game six months ago) on stage together to announce the Beatles on iTunes would be fantastic. However, I'd rather see the release be done right than thrown together at the last minute. The optimistic side of me is sure that it won't be long before the Beatles and iTunes will be goin' steady for good.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kindakrazy said 7:12PM on 9-08-2009
Why does anybody think the Beatles on iTunes is remotely important? Anybody who is at all still interested in their music would already have purchased their CD's from any used CD shop for a couple of bucks and RIPped them in iTunes. Or is everybody holding out for the re-remastering of the music (as it was already remastered for CD), as being tweaked for current music trends makes it somehow superior to previous masters?
Reply
NateF said 7:38PM on 9-08-2009
Because it would represent the first time The Beatles' entire catalog was (legally) available for download...ever. That would be a big step for digital distribution in general (and to a lesser extent, a blow to the dying CD selling industry).
Also, just because their music has been available on CD for years doesn't mean people won't buy it on iTunes. Look what happened when Michael Jackson passed away: his music shot up the charts everywhere, including iTunes'. The Beatles: Rock Band is launching tomorrow and is probably going to be a big hit. You don't think maybe, just maybe, after playing The Beatles' songs with varying degrees of success on plastic instruments that people might then buy their music on iTunes?
William Beem said 8:00PM on 9-08-2009
The Beatles have a $10 Million advance from Rock Band and an expected $40 Million payout. That's more than today's current acts get and these guys haven't played together in 40 years. Trust us when we tell you that's BIG.
At a time when record sales are plummeting and the economy swirling the toilet, 40-50 year old music is generating huge sales. Yet there are people like you who still refuse to believe this is big.
It's ok if you're not a fan or don't feel like buying. I'm not a fan of country, rap, or some other genres. That doesn't mean the audience for that music isn't opening eyes in some bean counters paradise.
Also, the CDs were considered by many to be inferior quality to the albums. Fans have much higher expectations for the remastering work performed on these albums. So, yes...we expect it to be much better than the CDs.
Charles said 8:04PM on 9-08-2009
If anything, this would be a big step for Apple Corps and the folks that have been mismanaging the catalog for years, not 'digital distribution' as you say. Sure, people will buy this music on iTunes. I suspect a ton of it. But that doesn't legitimize digital music distribution. That was done a while ago, when digital sales started outselling physical media, regardless of who was and who wasn't selling their music online. Probably a while before that even. So as much as I hold the Beatles music in the highest regard, like many people, I don't really think of this is a big deal. More of a business curiosity. A half a decade late, at that.
Drupa said 9:37PM on 9-08-2009
I agree with your underlying premise. I just turned 40 and I have no use for the Beatles. I'm not sure why folks make a big deal out of this. Sure, I know the tunes and liked many, but c'mon... This is getting silly.
Kai Cherry said 12:01AM on 9-09-2009
And to contrast:
*I* just turned 40 last month, and in all honesty, the Beatles Game (Which due to some incredible luck, I got to play for a few hours as a (belated) birthday present before release) has been THE thing I've been looking forward to for *many* months.
Additionally, the 80's CD remasters *pale in comparison* to what will be widely available tomorrow. I got to hear parts of two of them (Revolver and Sgt. Pepper) and for songs I've heard 100s and 100s of times since I was a child (in California where I grew up, they would not just Let it Be, heheh) it was jarring to hear what is essentially a very warm "tape-y" sound but more clear than any analogue tape is possible of recording...fills, kicks, crashes, studio noise, all kinds of "live" stuff that is actually a *part* of the music. I mean, when you hear "I'm Only Sleeping" off the news stuff, you'll likely do what I did:
"Whoa. Is that John *yawning there too? I NEVER even knew that was there!"
To be dismissive of The Beatles is pretty silly...and it will be really apparent when they hit Number One, worldwide *again*...40 years after the last time they did that.
This week.
I cannot think of a single modern artist that has a hope in heaven of pulling THAT off...40 years from now.
-K
south said 7:53AM on 9-09-2009
William Beem, you missed the point. What s/he said was that anyone who likes the Beatles probably already has them on their iPod (I know I do). So whether they appear on iTunes or not is becoming irrelevant.
Maybe there's a new generation of Beatles fans out there who'll buy their stuff from iTunes. All I can say for sure is, there are only two real Beatles left who might care.
Kevin Sutherland said 7:13PM on 9-08-2009
I have to say, Yoko spilling this news boosts the likelihood of an announcement in the works, possibly tomorrow, through the roof, even if others try to cover it up and deny it.
I'd really like to see The Beatles remastered on iTunes. Nevertheless, would Apple really make an announcement such as this at an event that gets its title from a Rolling Stones lyric? Doesn't seem classy enough for Apple (or Apple).
Reply
Cronick said 9:58PM on 9-08-2009
Are you kidding? Have you EVER heard her SING?!?
Kevin Sutherland said 10:09PM on 9-08-2009
Her musical talent aside, she is one of the closest people to the band (other than Paul or Ringo) that could come out with that news.
Jared said 7:22PM on 9-08-2009
I can see the benefits to both apple and the beatles music rights owners in having such a broad spectrum release…even though we already have all their mainstream albums, the iTunes offering would still be appealing.
On a rock band note…we pre-ordered Rock Band too…and received it a day early…you? It's beautiful so far.
Reply
Juaquin said 7:25PM on 9-08-2009
Who really cares at this point? Is anyone holding out on buying the CD or MP3s from Amazon because at some point in the future iTunes _may_ have the Beatles?
Reply
Juaquin said 7:27PM on 9-08-2009
Scratch that, no MP3s on Amazon. Although you could still buy the CD there and rip them but I guess people are just lazy.
Maccadude33 said 7:31PM on 9-08-2009
The record companies need to get with the program. That's the nicest way I can put it... If anyone up top knew a thing or two, they might realize that, hey, The Beatles are one of the biggest bands in modern history. Maybe, just maybe, offering their catalog on iTunes would attract hundreds of thousands, easily millions, of downloads! There are some people out there with good tastes in music, in contrast to the people buying all the garbage on the Top 100 lists.
When it happens, it'll be a huge milestone for the digital revolution. Apple will finally be able to offer The Beatles, and many people will purchase or repurchase their music either because they are young, don't have the CDs, or don't want to purchase the new remasters. Maybe all of those.
It used to be back in the day you were a Stones or a Beatle fan, not both (which is ironic considering they were all friends). I bet the lyric reference stands tribute to that rivalry in some way.
Reply
LAGal said 8:27PM on 9-08-2009
don't forget that Apple Corp (The Beatles one, not the computer one) has had a bad taste in their mouths over "Apple" over trademark claims. this is part of why Apple (the computer one) couldn't associate the Apple name with music. thus the whole 'itunes' thing was born.
The Beatles on itunes would, in some eyes, be a burying of the hatchet over this issue.
Maccadude33 said 9:20PM on 9-08-2009
Well of course. I've seen the lawsuits and history between them. I mentioned EMI because that's what the reports are mentioning. Apple Corps signed on to Rock Band, so I'm inclined to believe they'd want to introduce the catalog elsewhere. Then again, all the other parties involved bought in as well, but again, they are bringing The Beatles to video games, why not the mass digital market?
Since there's been a lack of news between Apple and Apple Corps since they settled out of court some time ago, I'd bet relationships have indeed improved somewhat. We'll find out tomorrow.
Michael Corcoran said 8:38PM on 9-08-2009
I think The Beatles debut on iTunes would coincide well with the rumored release of Cocktail, given that all of their albums are coming out with new liner notes, etc. And the whole 09/09/09 thing, iTunes 9, yoko loved that number, that b*+&4.
Reply
John said 8:52PM on 9-08-2009
GOOD OLD DAYS ALERT!
Wondering if any of you are old enough to have bought the original LP's? 2 or 3 bucks per album and all in mono. That would be of interest to folks of my generation. All my albums are long gone and some of them re-bought as cd's with the "stereo" being re created (and not very well). I am really curious what the remastered mono set will sound like and wondering if iTunes does pick up the Beatles will they also have access to them being that the set will be a limited release.
Reply
BJ Nemeth said 8:58PM on 9-08-2009
When was the last time Apple Computer held a major announcement on a day other than a Tuesday? Aren't the big keynotes and other announcements *always* on a Tuesday?
Then, for this one, they wait until a Wednesday -- which happens to be the day that the Beatles catalog is rereleased to the world. And it's not like there are competitive reasons for trying to steal possible thunder from the Beatles announcement. (And the Beatles date was set months in advance, and the top brass at Apple would be very aware of it.)
I think the timing is too unusual for it to be a coincidence. If there is no Beatles announcement at the Apple event tomorrow, I'll be surprised.
Reply
AC said 9:18PM on 9-08-2009
Yoko says yes, EMI says not yet
Reminds me of a lyric:
You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go, go, go
Oh, no . . .
Of course EMI could simply be trying to rescue Apple's annoucement plans. If the Beatles are on iTunes tomorrow they one has to wonder why Yoko couldn't find it possible to hold onto that information. It's not as if it's her news to announce.
Reply