Yesterday , the Beatles on iTunesseemed so far aside — now it looks as though they ’re here to stay . On Tuesday , Apple declare that the Fab Four’sentire catalogis now available for download from the iTunes Store . Thecomplete box readiness of the groupis available for $ 149 , with many individual tracks selling for $ 1.29 apiece . Single albums cost $ 13 each , with bivalent albums such as the Past Masters compiling going for $ 20 .
Each of the 13 remastered albums also sports iTunes LP feature film , include a mini - documentary on the making of the record album . The complete box prepare also features an exclusive : the “ go at the Washington Coliseum , 1964 ” film of the Beatles ’s first U.S. concert . However , if you ’re not quick to pony up the full cost of the complete discography , do n’t interest : everybody will be able to stream the video from iTunes for free for the respite of 2010 .
“ We screw the Beatles and are honored and exhilarate to welcome them to iTunes , ” Apple CEO Steve Jobs saidin the company ’s press release . “ It has been a recollective and tortuous road to get here . Thanks to the Beatles and EMI , we are now realizing a dreaming we ’ve had since we launched iTunes ten year ago . ”
Beatles members Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr chimed in as well in the company ’s release . “ We ’re really activated to convey the Beatles ’ euphony to iTunes , ” sound out McCartney . “ It ’s fantastic to see the songs we in the beginning unloosen on vinyl radical receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around . ”
“ I am particularly beaming to no longer be asked when the Beatles are come to iTunes , ” Starr add . “ At last , if you require it — you could get it now — The Beatles from Liverpool to now ! peacefulness and Love , Ringo . ”
John Lennon ’s wife Yoko Ono Lennon and George Harrison ’s wife Olivia Harrison also voice their approval . “ In the gleeful tone of Give Peace A Chance , I think it is so appropriate that we are doing this on John ’s 70th birthday year , ” say Lennon . “ The Beatles on iTunes — Bravo ! ” said Harrison .
The visual aspect of the Beatles on iTunes is the completion of year of rumour , half - scratch , and legal dispute between Apple and the Beatles ’s Apple Corps . In a solar day and years where most Modern music is released online , the Beatles have long been the most prominent holdout from digital downloads . The closest the sonny boy from Liverpool drive was last year , when a limited variation of the band ’s remastered discography was release on a USB flash drive with high timbre digital tracks .
Despite Jobs ’s well lie with love of the Beatles , Apple and Apple Corps have had a winding legal history spanning more than three decades . The company first conform to in 1978 , shortly after Apple ’s inception , when Apple Corps sued the nascent data processor party for stylemark misdemeanor ; the two settled a few long time later , with Apple agreeing to stay out of the euphony business . That lasted until 1989 , when Apple started selling a Mac that could synthesise music ; Apple Corps sued , saying that the move violate the early heap .
The two company take root for a second time in 1991 . That hold up until 2003 , when Apple launched the iTunes Store , over which Apple Corps launched a new wooing , once again pointing to Apple ’s entry into the music business as a decipherable irreverence of the two company ’ village . That court vitrine dragged on for several years until 2007 , when the two company come to a new hatful to settle the rupture . By the term of the newfangled deal , Apple would own all rights associate to Apple earmark and would in twist certify those right wing back to Apple Corps .
With Tuesday ’s move , Apple becomes the first music download service to extend the Beatles , which is no doubt a feather in Steve Jobs ’s personal cap . But , more importantly , it mean that we no longer have to continuously job about when the Beatles will last arrive on iTunes . And there ’s just no price tag you’re able to put on that .
update at 7:16 PT to add more entropy on the Beatles album and extras , and quotes from Apple ’s press release .
