'Guitar Hero,' 'Rock Band' soon playing Beatles?
Beatles music may soon be strumming a new tune via air guitar video games, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Apple Corps and EMI, which respectively represent The Beatles' business interests and ownership of its master recordings, have reportedly been in discussions with video game publishers Activision and MTV Games.
Under a possible deal that could be worth several million dollars, users could put their air guitar to use while listening to The Beatles and playing Activision's Guitar Hero or MTV's Rock Band games, according to the report.
The move to push The Beatles' music onto a new stage via video games could occur within the coming weeks, the Financial Times reported. Such a move would mark a change in embracing technology for The Beatles' music, given that digital-use licenses for Beatles recordings are not yet available.
The Beatles representatives, as well as the game publishers, declined to confirm whether a deal is on the horizon.
Dawn Kawamoto covers enterprise security and financial news relating to technology for CNET News. E-mail Dawn.





I've played Rock Band and Guitar Hero III on many occasions, and when I "play" a few songs that I happen to like, the virtual characters and oncoming notes stick with me. When I turn on my iPod and try to listen to the exact same songs later on, I want to turn it off because I can't get the game out of my head. I turn to playing real guitars and instruments instead, which is much more entertaining than fake instruments. The Beatles, the greatest band of all time, do not need this to happen to their own music. Of course, this is my opinion, and if it happens, so be it, but I think that people need to realize that music is not a game, so to speak. Music is more than that. Perhaps that is just my belief as I am a musician. But, if it will showcase their music against some of that vile noise that too many people listen to today, then it could be a good thing.
-BMF
Sure it'd be great if everyone learned how to play a real instrument, but everyone is good at different things and learning a musical instrument requires work and time that not everyone can invest in. When someone comes home from their 9-5, they just want to relax. Of course it's not the same as a real instrument, but video games allows for interpretation and fun, which is what art is all about.
P.S. All this means nothing until they make an entire Hendrix Guiatr Hero like the upcoming aerosmith(which I care nothing about) , because the wait is just pissing me off now...
I'm all for exposing youth to music that was groundbreaking, and if this can get them to listen, it may also get them to appreciate. Not to mention that I'd love to play Rock Band with my folks next holiday gathering. What a great memory that would be!
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by shelli1973
April 2, 2009 7:32 PM PDT
- this is so awesome! i can't wait to play it! i'm a second generation Beatles fan......my daddy got married in his Beatle boots!! now my children will also enjoy the Beatles!! before it was just "old people" music, but to for them to get to experience this music in an almost participating way, it really gets them into it..they catch themselves singing old stuff from the other rockbands and guitar heros...i laugh and i love it..they enoy a broad spectrum of music in my household from rock to country, from metal to motown! and having another way to enjoy music besides listening, is great...especially when you're not musically inclined!! can't wait for many more of these games!!!!!
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