Apple will offer all 13 remastered Beatles albums and the three major post-breakup compilations as multimedia-friendly “iTunes LP” downloads. Also available is a $149 “box set” that includes the albums, digital liner notes and a video of the band’s 1964 concert at the Washington Coliseum.
Individual songs cost $1.29 each, while single albums sell for $12.99 each and double releases cost $19.99.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, said in a press release: “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.”
There is one freebie: Fans can stream and view the Washington concert film from iTunes for free for the remainder of 2010.
Ringo Starr couldn’t help but remark cheekily: “I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes. At last, if you want it—you can get it now—The Beatles from Liverpool to now!”
For years, the band’s label EMI wouldn’t agree on terms to release the Beatles’ catalog to iTunes, as Billboard reported in 2008. In 2009, McCartney hinted new management at EMI had stalled negotiations: “The record company was taken over by new people quite recently, so there is a gridlock of sorts.”
The Beatles albums are now available and viewable on iTunes
