Beatles to iTunes "Stalled," Says McCartney

Still wondering when the Beatles' catalog will finally make it to iTunes? Don't hold your breath, as Paul McCartney told a press conference today in London that negotiations between Apple Records and EMI have "stalled." "When it's something as big as the Beatles, it's heavy negotiations," Macca said. "We're [the band members and their estates] very for it, but there are a couple of sticking points. It's stalled. No change there then!" McCartney didn't elaborate on the supposed stumbling blocks, but past theories range from iTunes' strict 99 cent a la carte song fee — which upsets pretty much all the major labels — to the much-needed remastering of the catalog. Back in March, a deal between the Beatles and iTunes seemed imminent, especially considering the solo careers of all Fab Four members are on Apple's download service, but with McCartney's announcement, we'd hold off from including a download of Revolver as a Christmas present.

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

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