As of November 16 2010, The Beatles original back catalogue of albums is available to download from iTunes. This now means that a new generation of fans can buy and download any track from the original Beatles album output and play them back on their iPod.
John, Paul George and Ringo’s 13 legendary studio albums from 1963’s Please Please Me through to 1970’s Let It Be as well as the two volume Past Masters and recently re-released Red and Blue collections are available for download from iTunes as either albums or individual songs.
The Beatles Finally Available On iTunes
For many Beatles fans young and old this event has been a long time coming. For many years legal wrangling between EMI, the Beatles own company Apple, and the 'other' Apple behind iTunes have prevented the bands back catalogue from been available to download.
First signs of a resolve came about with the relaunch of both John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s solo back catalogues. These have both been given the iTunes treatment in the last year. At last, The Beatles music is accessible for a new generation of music fans, bringing them firmly into the 21st century.
Paul McCartney has said in the official press release:” “We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes. 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.”
In the same press release, Ringo Starr is more forthright about his opinion of the band finally making it onto iTunes. “I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes.” He said, “At last, if you want it–you can get it now–The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo.”
The Beatles - Live at the Washington Coliseum Streamed For Free Until End of Year
As well as downloading the albums individually, fans also can opt to download a special digital “Beatles Box Set” featuring the “Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964″ concert film. This is a worldwide iTunes exclusive which captures unique footage of the Beatles’ very first US concert.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs commented on the Apple press release :” We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes. It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”
The opportunity to see new Beatles material is a bonus for fans that have recently purchased previously unreleased John Lennon material that was released to commemorate what would have been John’s 70th birthday in October. Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, John and George's respective widows also added their seal of approval to the venture via the press release. Yoko said: “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.” George Harrison’s widow Olivia also added: “The Beatles on iTunes–Bravo!”
Beatles fans will be able to stream and view the “Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964″ from iTunes for free until the remainder of this calendar year.
The Beatles on iTunes
The Beatles albums to download on iTunes from November 16 2010 consist of twelve of the original UK album releases from the 1960s, a US import (Magical Mystery Tour – originally only available as an EP in the UK) and four compilation collections including the famous recently remastered 1973 Red and Blue Collections.
A list of the original Beatles albums available for download:
- Please Please Me (1963)
- With The Beatles (1963)
- A Hard Days Night (1964)
- Beatles For Sale(1964)
- Help! (1965)
- Rubber Soul (1965)
- Revolver (1966)
- Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
- Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
- The Beatles (AKA The White Album) (1968)
- Yellow Submarine (1969)
- Abbey Road (1969)
- Let It Be (1970)
- Past Masters Vols 1 & 2 (1988)
- The Beatles 1962- 1966 (AKA the Red Album) (1973)
- The Beatles 1967-1970 (AKA the Blue Album) (1973)
All Quotes and Information Source: Apple Press Release
