LONDON, March 8 (UPI) -- British singer Paul McCartney has reached a $400 million agreement with iTunes for the distribution of the Beatles' back catalog.

The former Beatles star, who is currently mired in a bitter divorce, officially sanctioned the Internet download service to offer the band's musical hits from albums such as "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," the Daily Mail said Saturday.

McCartney will not be the only one enjoying the profitable deal. Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr will receive a portion of the profits, as will the families of late Beatles stars George Harrison and John Lennon.

Portions of the multimillion-dollar payout also will go to pop singer Michael Jackson, along with the EMI and Sony recording groups, who each own certain Beatles recording or publishing rights.

The Daily Mail said the deal could directly impact McCartney's ongoing divorce from Heather Mills as the former model may increase her settlement request to include a portion of the singer's newfound fortune.


Big news if accurate, wonder how long it'd take.. i still will hold out for a new box set with extras

Quoted from Bungalow Bill

i still will hold out for a new box set with extras

Absolutely; a box set with mono / stereo versions and "Carnival Of Light."

Quoted from Geoff

Absolutely; a box set with mono / stereo versions and "Carnival Of Light."

Out of the many things that the fans want when the remasters eventually come out, people seem universally agreed on them being mono, and stereo. DVD Audio/SACD would be nice. But you know Apple never seem to do the right thing. They've been pussyfooting around for years, with stuff like '1', 'Yellow Submarine Songtrack', and 'Let It Be...Naked', so don't expect them to do anything sensible.

While George Harrison still has a family we'll never get 'Carnival Of Light'. And don't expect any other 'extras' either.

Quoted Text

people seem universally agreed on them being mono, and stereo. DVD Audio/SACD would be nice.

I agree, I would kill for DVD audio of each album... well at least from Rubber Soul onward... Kill i would

This agreement is denied by Apple.

Quoted from Bobber

This agreement is denied by Apple.

Apple would deny their own existence if it wasn't for the fact that they would probably get away with it!!

Finally! I WANT MY REMASTERED BEATLES GRRRRRR!!!