The Beatles - perhaps the most famous act in history, and certainly the most famous iTunes hold-out - are finally on Apple's music service. Many an impatient Beatles fan may have ripped their CDs to MP3 years ago, or tapped an illegal download but, fom th
The Beatles - perhaps the most famous act in history, and certainly the most famous iTunes hold-out - are finally on Apple's music service.
Many an impatient Beatles fan may have ripped their CDs to MP3 years ago, or tapped an illegal download but, fom this morning, all 13 of the Fab Four's studio albums are available for street-legal download.
Single albums cost $21.99 from iTunes NZ, double albums $35.99 and individual songs for $2.39.
Each album is accompanied by a mini documentary on its making.
All 13 albums can be downloaded in one virtual "boxed set" for $269.99 (or $20.78 per album - a saving of just 22 cents per album - though you do also get Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964” concert film, a worldwide iTunes-exclusive which captures the Beatles’ very first US concert in its entirety; note though that any iTunes user can stream, if not save, the film for free).
Apple versus Apple
Today's news came in a joint announcement from Apple Corps, EMI and Apple.
Apple Corps, the Beatles' holding company, was for years in and out of court with Apple the computer company.
The first suit, filed in 1978, was confidentially settled in 1981, with both companies agreeing to stay out of each other's business.
In 1986, as Apple added musical sound capability to its computers for the first time, Apple Corps again filed suit.
The second round of legal action was settled in 1991, with Apple the computer company paying Apple Corps a reported $US26.5 million.
In 2003, as iTunes took off, the Beatles again called in their lawyers, claiming the use of the Apple logo on the download service was a breach of the previous agreement.
In 2006, a judge ruled in favour of Apple the computer company, and the Beatles' Apple Corp was ordered to pay £2 million in legal costs.
From 2007 until today's announcement, relations between the two sides gradually thawed.
Lifeline for EMI
There can be little doubt that the Beatles' record label, EMI, was encouraging the two sides to make-up.
Private equity group Terra Firma bought EMI in 2007, borrowing heavily to seal a £4 billion deal.
The new owner suffocated under its debt load ever since, and has fallen behind in payments to its main lender Citigroup.
In October, EMI's problems deepened as, Terra Firma lost a court case against the US bank. Guy Hands, owner of the private equity group, alleged his company had been tricked into overpaying for the iconic music label.
Doing OK in the 'real world'
The Wall Street Journal and others have speculated that the October court loss could spur EMI to sell some of its back catalogue.
The Beatles would be the jewel in the crown. According to Nielsen's SoundScan retail sales tracking survey, the Fab Four was the biggest selling act of 2000 - 2009, selling 30 million albums - including 11.5 million for its greatest hits disc "1", making it the past decade's biggest selling CD.
Putting the Beatles back catalogue on iTunes provides new revenue without having to sell the farm.
“We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Sir Paul McCartney. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.”
“I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” said Ringo Starr.
“We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes,” Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said. “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realising a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”
“In the joyful spirit of Give Peace A Chance, I think it is so appropriate that we are doing this on John’s 70th birthday year,” said Yoko Ono Lennon.
The London-based company has administered the catalogue of The Beatles releases of the 1960s that have sold to date more than 600 million records, tapes and CDs.
Since the 1990s, Apple has piloted new Beatles projects that have become benchmarks for pioneering accomplishment and which have included The Beatles Anthology projects, the 29-million selling album The Beatles 1, The Beatles LOVE show and CD and the 09/09/09 release of The Beatles Remastered catalogue and The Beatles Rock Band game.
