MySpace Friends Three Major Labels, Readies Launch of Music Service

Looking to compete with digital services like iTunes and Amazon — as well as fend off Facebook's increasing popularity — MySpace announced today that it has deals in place with Sony BMG, Universal and Warner to create MySpace Music, a digital music service that will sell downloads, stream ad-supported music and videos and serve as a storefront to physical goods and concert tickets. The move is in response to Facebook's hookup with iTunes via the iLike feature, allowing users to purchase and stream music, post play lists and update concert information. By striking deals with three of the four major labels (only EMI has not signed on), MySpace Music boasts "the most comprehensive catalogue of music content available online." The service anticipates launching "in the coming months."

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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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