Slash LanePeter Kafka with MediaMemo cited "a source familiar with the band's plans" in a story Tuesday, in which he debunks the ongoing rumors that the world's most famous rock band would see its catalog debut on Apple's iTunes Music Store.
"If you’re trying to convince people to spend $16.99 for a remastered copy of the White Album," Kafka asked, "or as much as $250 to play along with the band’s ghostly avatars, why offer a competing product from Apple at the same time? Nor do I see Steve Jobs expressing much interest in coordinating his marketing announcements with the likes of Viacom."
The entire back catalog of The Beatles is being re-released Wednesday, on compact disc, in a new remastered format. The 9.9.09 date, echoing the song "Revolution 9," also brings the release of the video game, The Beatles: Rock Band.
Sept. 9 is also the date Apple will unveil its new iPod lineup — a date that is purely a coincidence, if Kafka's sources are correct. Rumors of the band's songs appearing on iTunes have existed for years. Apple and the parent company of The Beatles, Apple Corps, were engaged in a lengthy and bitter trademark dispute for decades, but that issue was resolved in 2007.
Even though those issues were patched up years ago, the legendary band has been reluctant to allow its recordings to be made available in a digital format. Users of The Beatles video game, though, will be able to purchase and download additional songs to play in the game, which only further fueled speculation.
When Apple sent out invitations to its event, they included a reference to a lyric from a different legendary rock band, The Rolling Stones. The invitation read "It's only rock and roll, but we like it," leading some to assume Apple was hinting that the iPod-centric event would focus on music, not Macs or the long-rumored tablet.
If The Beatles' songs do not appear on iTunes Wednesday, it's most likely the Sept. 9 date was chosen because Monday, Sept. 7, was Labor Day, a U.S. holiday. Holding the event on Wednesday, rather than Tuesday (as is often done), allows those attending the San Francisco keynote more time to travel after the holiday.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
70 Comments
I'm still thinking the Beatles could be announced tomorrow on iTunes.
Based on the CD set being sold, perhaps it could even be one of the first 'Cocktail' collections.
The description of the CD set below includes an interesting reference to 'Quicktime' movies, is this iTunes content?
The Beatles in Stereo (from Amazon):
Including eight years of groundbreaking recordings, the Beatles Stereo Box Set contains the individual albums, as well as a two CD Past Masters collection of non-album tracks. Painstakingly remastered over four years by a team of dedicated studio engineers at the legendary Abbey Road studios, they utilised vintage studio equipment in conjunction with state of the art modern recording technology to bring the catalogue to the highest fidelity it has seen since its original release.
Each of the 13 original albums also include a Quicktime mini-documentary, which feature rare photos and footage, as well as previously unheard conversations from Abbey Road studio sessions, to deliver a further insight into the the Beatles' recording process. All of these documentaries are also featured on a DVD packaged in the box set to provide more versatile viewing. The albums have all been repackaged in limited edition eco-friendly packaging, and contain additional rare photos and illuminating background notes.
This collection also marks the first time the first four Beatles albums have been available in stereo in their entirety on compact disc, making this without doubt the most complete stereo Beatles box set ever made.
I wrote up my take on this at Seeking Alpha
Basically I said Apple's event is only on Wednesday instead of today because of Labor Day, like in 2007.
And that Apple has gone to some effort to ween the media and Wall Street off Steve Jobs, they're not going to send him out there for a typical iPod refresh. It'll take more than an iPod with a camera to get Steve on stage.
Beatles? I never understood the fascination with them. They did good for their time, but I'd rather get AC/DC on iTunes.
What about the "One After 909"? ; )
Dismissing the Beatles as so yesterday is kind of short-sighted. Regardless of what you think of them music is an evolution. They took from others and others have taken from them. Dismissing them as irrelevant (as many have lately) is kind of senseless, regardless of personal taste.
You don't like them - fine. But it would be silly to ignore their impact and significance. Should Mozart be ignored, forgotten, and dismissed because he's so 18th century?