Revolution 9/9/09: Beatles coming to 'Rock Band' this fall

We knew the music of the Beatles was coming to the MTV video game Rock Band, but now we have a release date: September 9, 2009. That's when you'll be able to get The Beatles: Rock Band, a new edition of the game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles. You can start working on your bad "lonely hearts club band" puns now.

The game itself will retail for $59.99 in the U.S.; there will also be a $99.99 version that comes with Beatles-inspired guitar controllers, and a $249.99 "special edition" bundle. I'm guessing that one comes with a walrus.

The date is awfully cute, considering the Beatles' formally self-titled "White Album" contains that song called "Revolution 9," which consists largely of a repetition of the phrase "number nine, number nine, number nine." Conspiracy theorists say that if you play it backward it sounds like "turn me on, dead man" and is hence one of the clues that adds up to reveal that Paul McCartney died and was replaced by a lookalike early in the band's career.

But here's something else for conspiracy theorists of a different variety. September 9, 2009, happens to be a Wednesday in early September, and Apple has historically held iPod-related announcements on Tuesdays in early September. If you want to be mega-speculative, consider that there could be an announcement that week that in addition to Rock Band, the Beatles would finally be coming to iTunes. The band's catalog is currently not legally available for digital download.

There have been legal issues and general animosity for years between Apple Inc. and Apple Corps, the publisher of the Beatles' music. When record label EMI, which owns the rights to the Beatles catalog, inked a deal with Apple to make its catalog available on iTunes without DRM, buzz circulated that the Beatles could be added to the digital-media emporium soon. It's been almost two years, and no Fab Four yet. Late last year, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney said that talks had stalled. There's no real gauge on where things stand now.

But I guess you could just try playing a Steve Jobs keynote backward and see what hidden messages surface.

[jltnol--2008]

The FAB FOUR will come to iTunes when Steve Jobs returns to Apple from his medical leave.

You heard it here first, folks.

[MKFive_GTI]

Why all the concern about beatles at the itunes store? Not like this is a new product coming to the market...if you want beatles music go buy a vinyl or even a cd. Don't waste your time with poor quality itunes downloads.

[markusfarkus]

Yeah, I don't get why there's so much speculation about The Beatles on iTunes. It's not like 14 years are clamoring for it. If you're a Beatle fan, you've already got their albums on vinyl, cassette, or cd. Unless they offer something the other formats do not, I don't see why people would buy their music yet again.

[James Anderson Merritt]

Play Jobs' earliest keynote backwards and you will hear, "I buried Woz ... Apple II Forever!"

[Brent212]

I've been listening to Beatles mp3s since I knew about mp3s. Ripping your own is so complicated.

[DrStrangelove23]

I think one of the big issues with Apple and The Beatles collection is based on the infamous lawsuit; Apple Records vs. Apple Computers. When all was said and done, it was determined that Apple Computers were not in any copyright violation and could use the brand name as long as they were not in the music business. Funny how years later, things have changed drastically.

For starters, I remember back in '99 a huge billboard on the side of 101 in San Francisco for the iMac which under the slogan "Think Different" had a picture of John Lennon. This was legal as he was a public figure and therefore his likeness could legally be used. At the same time I was in Music Business classes as well as audio production classes. What was the most widely used platform for music production at the time? The Apple G4!

And now, with iTunes, they ARE in the music business... Somewhat. I guess as the song goes, Let It Be. ;)

Due to all of the past legal issues between Apple and Apple, I can see this as a basis for stalled talks with Sir Paul McCartney.

And as for Ringo... I think he could care less and would rather live in an Octopus' Garden in the Sea!

[dragontsd]

Um...who cares? I really get a kick out of all of you old time "rockers"... by no means am I a music guru, but i know a recycled formula when i see it. I know it's going to rub all you maniacal beatles fans the wrong way but it's time to face facts. This is not good music. This is old, stuffy, hypocritical nonsense that has had it's time and then some. I salute the beatles for being the visonaries that they are/were, but seriously, enough sucking up. I have no interest in arguing this point, reply to your little heart's content, but dont expect me to dignify it with a response. I am FIME with people liking the beatles, I'm simply not fond of hearing about them every freaking day when they arent even a band and havent been for decades. Bah Humbug! lol.

[Renegade Knight]

You were right at "Um...who cares?" after that. You missed the mark. Playes on Rock Band like good music, and don't specificly care about The Beatles. Nor will they really care unless it proved to be fun which is the point of the game.

The rest of your post pretty much matches your opinion of the Beatles.

[Motyoj]

by no means am I a music guru

That's pretty obvious.

[beatmoses]

All I want after 23 years are REMASTERED PRISTINE SOUNDING Beatles CDs. The one out now were released in 86 and sound terrible on great stereos. Screw downloads.