News

The Beatles Ponder 'Rock Band' or 'Guitar Hero' Appearance

Activision and MTV Games are reportedly in negotiations with Apple Corps. about licensing portions of The Beatles catalog for Guitar Hero or Rock Band. According to a Rollingstone.com story, such a deal would be worth millions and require the approval of EMI and the band's reps. The American Idol/Across the Universe/Love deals set in motion by Apple Corps.' chief exec, Jeff Jones, suggest such a thing might happen sooner rather than later.

"To my view, it's only a matter of time before we see Beatles songs that are the original recordings in motion pictures, in television work, and yes, maybe even one day in a commercial," Sony/ATV chief executive Martin Bandier—who holds more than 200 Beatles copyrights—told Rollingstone. A source close to The Beatles game talks added that a deal "could be reached in a matter of weeks."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.23.08