One of rock and roll's most influential forces is, after years of steadfast resistance, joining the digital-music revolution, according to testimony offered earlier this month in the United Kingdom's High Court.
Reuters reports that Neil Aspinall — who heads Apple Corps, the Beatles' record label — revealed that the Fab Four's catalog is being digitally remastered, paving the way for classics like "Hey Jude," "Let It Be" and "Help!" to be sold via download.
"I think it would be wrong to offer downloads of the old masters when I am making new masters," Aspinall said in a written statement submitted to the High Court. "It would be better to wait and try to do them both simultaneously so that you then get the publicity of the new masters and the downloading, rather than just doing it ad hoc."
A spokesperson for Apple Corps confirmed Aspinall's statement Thursday. There's no word yet on when the Beatles tracks will be made available through online music services. It also remains unclear which online music stores will be stocking the tracks. The news was disclosed as part of Apple Corps' trademark lawsuit against Apple Computer.
Apple Corps — which is owned by the Beatles' two surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and the estate of the late George Harrison — claims Apple Computer violated a 1991 agreement when it used the Apple name and logo to sell music downloads through its iTunes Music Store. According to the suit, the terms of that agreement called for the computer company to steer clear of the music business. Apple Corps is seeking undisclosed damages and wants Apple Computer to remove the apple logo from the iTunes Music Store.
The trial concluded April 6, and the judge presiding over the case is expected to render a decision in the matter next week.
The Beatles, who've been notably absent from the digital frontier, lead a list of the high-profile holdouts to the online music sector. Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead are among the bands that have not made their music available for download. In recent months, a number of big-name acts have surrendered to the digital wave, including Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who've agreed to sell their entire catalogs online. The Dave Matthews Band jumped on the download bandwagon this month.
For complete digital music coverage, check out the Digital Music Reports.
