It's official: The Beatles are on iTunes

Nearly a decade after Apple Inc. introduced iTunes, the digital downloading service has finally acquired the music of the Beatles.  Apple on Tuesday rolled out the Fab Four’s music for legal downloading for the first time, offering 17 albums encompassing all 13 of the group’s original studio albums, the two “Past Masters” collections of non-album tracks, two double-album hits compilations and a box set including everything except the hits collections.

Individual tracks are being sold for $1.29, the single albums for $12.99, double sets for $19.99, and the box set is priced at $149. The digital box set also includes an exclusive-to-iTunes concert film, "Live at Washington Coliseum, 1964," never previously released officially.

"We're really excited to bring the Beatles' music to iTunes," Paul McCartney said in a statement issued Tuesday. "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," Ringo Starr added in the same statement. "At last, if you want it -- you can get it now.”

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 realizing a dream we've had since we launched iTunes 10 years ago."

 “It’s great to see Apple finally joining civilization here in 2010,” said Chris Carter, host of the long-running “Breakfast With the Beatles” program on KLOS-FM (95.5) in Southern California and on Sirius XM Satellite radio.

-- Randy Lewis

Comments

[Kat]

Finally!!

[eahostudio]

gee that's a relief. I was afraid I couldn't get any "classical" music from apple.

[KZinCC]

Yes, the same Beatles who sued Apple once just for trying to use the name "apple" to sell computers and then sued for breach of agreement over the initial roll-out of itunes. Did it really take the last two Beatles this long to realize that anyone who wanted the Beatles on their ipods had no problem doing so just by ripping a CD or getting it from Peer to Peer?

[Wut?]

“It’s great to see Apple finally joining civilization here in 2010,” said Chris Carter...

By selling music from 1964???
Wut????

[SmartAssProducts.com]

I don't use iTunes, but I'm still glad to hear they're finally offering the music of the greatest band ever, the Beatles. Long live John, Paul, George and Ringo!

[Reasonable Person]

Kinda late. Who hasn't bought the CDs by now and ripped them to iTunes?

[Emma]

What is wrong with spreading Beatles love to a generation that will grow up not knowing what a CD player or vinyl record player looks like? This a great win for both parties especially Steve Jobs because he can spread the music of his favorite band and make money from it. Reminds of me a poll I took a few minutes ago, http://my-take.com/poll/How-do-you-feel-now-that-the-Beatles-songs-are-finally-on-iTunes Unfortunately, I refuse to buy music from iTunes ever again so its sad that I won't be downloading the tracks anything soon.

[freddy please]

yessssssssss!!!!!!!

[MARK A. SANDOVAL]

THE BEATES WERE A GREAT BAND FOR SURE. BUT THE RADIO DJ SAYS TO APPLE "WELCOME TO CIVILZATION?" . ANYONE WITH ANY LEVEL INTELLIGENCE KNOWS THAT WHAT APPLE HAS DONE TO ADVANCE CIVILZATION WITH REAL LIFE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY IS ZIGABYTES MORE THAN WHAT THE BEALTLES DID. I DONT THINK THE WORLD WILL MISS "HELTER SKELTER" , "THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD" OR "PENNY LANE" MORE THAN NEXT TECHNOLOGICAL LEAP. THEIR JUST SONGS WITH GOOD MELODIES AND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW CLASSIC SONGS HAVE JUST AVERAGE LYRICS.

[RLD62]

Not that big a deal, already uploaded all my Beatles CD onto iTunes years ago.

[Bing]

Why is this newsworthy? I was a fan of Beatles 35 years ago. Today their music scarcely piques my interest for they are simple and childish. Their singing quality is comparatively dubious. I doubt today's young people would show much interest either. Apple's marketing arms must have been very persuasive on LA Times staff. Good marketing does create needs.

[waskoma]

Whoops, too late. Already downloaded all my Beatle cd's. DUH.......

[K]

Does that mean I have to buy the white album again

[Jagexxx]

Great. Now perhaps the youngsters can learn where all the music that's been released in the last 40 years originated.

[william]

does anyone even really care anymore about the beatles??...I laugh at all these artist who wait to put their music on iTunes or won't include the whole album etc...if I am not buying your album today, probably won't buy it tomorrow either, besides aren't most beatles fan dead anyway?

[Aeropilot]

I agree with the reviewer on the BBC today who said, "too little, too late." If, on iTunes, they offered Beatles bootlegs, or outtakes, or odd cuts, etc., in addition to the already released material then it would be more of an event -- give me more of an incentive to download. As it stands it's a ho-hum achievement. Sorry, Steve.