The Beatles catalog finally makes its iTunes debut

[Refugee 7]

The Beatles and Apple Computer are finally singing "We Can Work it Out" in harmony.

The Fab Four's music is now available for digital download at Apple's iTunes store, the end of the most significant holdout in the transition from physical to digital. The Beatles, who stepped into the CD era at a snail's pace, are offering albums and individual songs for the first time in the 10-year history of iTunes. Naturally, the home page of the iTunes store was all-Beatles within minutes of the announcement Tuesday morning (11/16).

The offerings are the British versions of the albums that have been released on CD, the two-volume "Past Masters" compilation and the classic "Red" and "Blue" best-of collections. In addition, a digital "Beatles Box Set" features "Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964," a film of the Beatles' first U.S. concert. The concert film can be streamed at iTunes for free for the rest of the year.

Each digital version of the Beatles' 13 studio albums includes visual features such as a mini-documentary about the creation of each album. Single albums are being sold for $12.99 each, double albums go for $19.99 and individual songs are $1.29.

The digitally remastered Beatles catalog was released 14 months ago. At that time, the conversation focused on the improvement of sound quality and the mono vs. stereo debate. Being available at the iTunes store only adds a convenience factor to the Beatles music and lacks the cultural significance of last year's releases.

Many theories have emerged over the last decade regarding the holdout, but Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono have battled with iTunes' parent company over the Apple name for decades. The band formed Apple Corps Ltd. in 1968 to oversee after the group's projects and argued in courts that there was confusion when both Apples were operating in the musical arena. They settled their last trademark battle in 2007.

The arrival of the Beatles at iTunes leaves AC/DC as the most significant digital holdout.

[normandi 21]

I can only imagine the legal fees that lawyers have sucked up over the years in this battle. This is pretty incredible from that standpoint. I am sure we will never know the $$ amount associated with this deal. When I read comments from AC/DC and Kid Rock regarding iTunes, it seems they not only have issues with what Apple pays the artist but also the level of control of the music that the artist retains.

[Sugar 0]

The flood gates have opened!

[Yer so bad 4]

Have you seen this great video:http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=458809165263&ref=mf ?

[Magnolia 171]

I never knew you couldn't get The Beatles on I Tunes!

[Wildflower15 0]

^Me too!

[normandi 21]

hmmm... it appears that possibly the snag on making this deal previously with Apple-iTunes was actually between Apple (Beatles) and EMI.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/thr-esq/beatles-itunes-deal-point-mattered-46593

[nurktwin 2,143]

the snag was always about the "apple" name and the Beatles should have won that, they had the name 1st.

[Sugar 0]

I am thinking it's Abby Road for me first on my ipod, what do you guys think??

[nurktwin 2,143]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101123/music_nm/us_beatles

[nurktwin 2,143]

i love Abbey Road, it's my fav. but then again i luv all their recordings. if you don't own any beatle albums, i suggest you buy the box set and start at the beginning to see how they progressed. it's more expensive, but you'll sort of get the history without being there at the time it all happened. luckily, i was there and wouldn't trade it for anything. thank you Beatles for a wonderful ride.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

I really want the boxed set...I am sure there are some Beatles songs I have never heard before..and that just cannot stay like that..

I think the first song I buy on iTunes by the Beatles will be Yesterday :heart: