Posted May 12, 200718 yr CULTURE BOX ICON Beatles heading online? Sir Paul drops hint BBC 6MUSIC NEWS 11 May 07 - Sir Paul McCartney has given the broadest hint yet that the Beatles back catalogue will be made available for sale online. In an interview with music trade magazine Billboard, Sir Paul described a deal to secure the move as 'virtually settled'. Mark Sutherland, London Bureau editor of the publication, went into more detail: "We asked him whether the deal is imminent and he told us that its 'virtually settled'. Precisely what that means isn't clear, but he does say there could be an announcement coming soon to that effect, which has been long-awaited by the music industry." "His new record is going to be the first McCartney release that's been available for download. I think that's significant." Mark concedes that the online sale of McCartney's forthcoming album, Memory Almost Full, illustrates a softening in the music-maker's stance towards the digital sale of his material. "His new record is going to the be the first Paul McCartney release that's been available for download. I think that's significant. It signals a willingness for his back catalogue to be available." Mark also pointed out that the settlement of the long-term Apple logo dispute between the computer firm and the Beatles record label was just one element that points towards a possible deal. But fans shouldn't get their hopes up. Mark doesn't think the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the release of the Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band album in June is a date to their hang hopes upon. "I don't know if its that imminent, but I'm sure when The Beatles catalogue does go online it will be tied into some kind of event or anniversary. There will be a big noise made about it, just because it is something Beatles fans and online buyers have been waiting and asking for." Are any of you excited about The Beatles back catalogue finally going digital or not?
May 12, 200718 yr Author With Macca's new album "Memory Almost Full" released in June, then clearly The Beatles back catalogue will be released after that date. Key anniversaries to look out for: July 6th - 1957 (50 years) - the first time that Lennon met McCartney. October 5th - 1962 (45 years) - the Beatles first single (45 rpm) "Love Me Do is released.
May 14, 200718 yr Author McCartney music online Label confirms release 14 May 07 - Sir Paul McCartney is to become the first Beatle to make his entire back catalogue digitally available. Every album Sir Paul's made since 1970's McCartney will be downloadable from the end of May. The move comes just days after the legend hinted that a deal to secure the online sale of Beatles music was 'virtually settled'. Tony Wadsworth, Chairman & CEO of EMI Music UK said: "Paul McCartney's post-Beatles catalogue, spanning four decades, is one of the greatest treasures of popular music." The material - which includes Sir Paul's work with Wings - will be released at the end of the month in a 'comprehensive relaunch' that will include physical releases. Sir Paul's new solo album, Memory Half Full, will also be issued online, on 4 June.
June 14, 200718 yr CULTURE BOX ICON Beatles heading online? Sir Paul drops hint BBC 6MUSIC NEWS 11 May 07 - Sir Paul McCartney has given the broadest hint yet that the Beatles back catalogue will be made available for sale online. I wonder if this will include an iPod pre-loaded with Beatles tune in time for Xmas
Create an account or sign in to comment