Beatles Coming to Rock Band?

[DoctorFinger]

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/newsimages/rockband.jpghttp://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/newsimages/beatles.JPG

Ok, get your thinking caps on people, because this one requires some math. MTV Games & Apple Corps Ltd are holding a conference call tomorrow at 10am eastern to announce an "Exclusive Agreement to Develop Unprecedented Global Music Project."

Now MTV is the corporate giant that owns both the Rock Band franchise and it's developer, Harmonix. Apple Corps Ltd is not the conglomerate that makes iPods, but the holding company set up to administer the Beatles' catalog. Now it's been a while since I took calculus, but even my atrophied math skills can divine that this likely means that the Beatles are coming to Rock Band.

The only question remains: in what form? Are they exclusive to the game? Will the songs be made available as downloads, or as a retail release a la the upcoming AC/DC pack? Some combination of the two? Which songs - or even albums - will be made available first? We should have our answers tomorrow.

Source - MTV Multiplayer (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/10/29/news-alert-fuels-rock-band-beatles-talk/).

[pomeroy]

This would be awesome if it's DLC. I don't want it as a stupid disc like the AC/DC "game".

[KingGorilla]

So still no John Lee Hooker? But these rip off artists will be in that store? BOO!

[King3567]

On Joystiq they said the New York Times confirmed it and it is all but officially revealed. Personally, I don't think the Beatles are suited well for Rock Band.

[violent]

This would make a winner.

[Zero]

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! This would make me so happy! :D :D :D :D

[Restlessavenger]

What they don't say is that they have licensed the soundtrack to the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie.

PQf5Q9NQvhA

[Esquilax1138]

When I think great guitar songs, or virtuoso musicianship I sure don't think of the Beatles. They were very basic and limited in their skills, and just happened to be in the right place at the right time, there are far more talented bands to go after.

Least that's how I see it, YMMV of course. I guess some would love this but I can't see rocking out to "love me do" very much.

[pomeroy]

When I think great guitar songs, or virtuoso musicianship I sure don't think of the Beatles. They were very basic and limited in their skills, and just happened to be in the right place at the right time, there are far more talented bands to go after.

Least that's how I see it, YMMV of course. I guess some would love this but I can't see rocking out to "love me do" very much.

Oh, give me a break. "Love Me Do" is really not indicative of The Beatles' catalogue. And I'm fine with a band whose music is actually good to hear as compared to something that's technically brilliant but no one likes/cares about (Yngwie anyone?).

Basic and limited in their skills? Jesus Christ.

[J Arcane]

Oh, give me a break. "Love Me Do" is really not indicative of The Beatles' catalogue. And I'm fine with a band whose music is actually good to hear as compared to something that's technically brilliant but no one likes/cares about (Yngwie anyone?).

Basic and limited in their skills? Jesus Christ.
I find such sentiments are usually the domain of people who don't actually know anything about the Beatles and have never really seen or heard them outside the Ed Sullivan days (not that they were particularly slouch then either).

I know I used to have the same attitude until I had a friend force me to listen to a good majority of the Anthology.

[maharahaj]

I can understand why people like the Beatles, but I only enjoy a very select few of their songs. I also can not see how their songs would be fun to play. I don't think there would be enough variety within each song that would encourage me to play them more than once.

[pomeroy]

I find such sentiments are usually the domain of people who don't actually know anything about the Beatles and have never really seen or heard them outside the Ed Sullivan days (not that they were particularly slouch then either).

I know I used to have the same attitude until I had a friend force me to listen to a good majority of the Anthology.

Yeah, I suppose if you bought "One" your opinion could be skewed that way.

It's still really stupid, though.

[J Arcane]

Yeah, I suppose if you bought "One" your opinion could be skewed that way.

It's still really stupid, though.
There has never been, nor, given the state of the modern recording industry, is there ever likely to be, another band with more wide variety of talents and more willingness to explore those talents, than the Beatles.

Not even the Rolling Stones hold a candle to their repertoire of musical styles and experimentation.

Of course, that level of varied talent is also the very reason why I dismissed them for so long. Once I really started listening to their whole catalog I was stunned to hear so many songs I'd heard, and loved, over the years, had come out of the same band that started off being marketed as just a Britpop boy band, and that early image was so iconic to the culture that it sort of overshadowed the later works.

[Superman's Dead]

I took a rock and roll history class and my professor talked about both points of view about the Beatles, but he was leaning more towards the 'genius'. The tightness of their performances and the way they played together, the ease in which they did everything, how little attention they needed to pay to the instruments to get the sound they wanted, all of it pointed to being very very good at what they did.

He made us watch how Paul played the bass, and how little he had to look at what he was doing to hit some of those chords.

This would excite me because I could try and play as silly as Ringo does.

[Ten19]

Goddammit.

I like my money.

Stop taking it from me, things I really want :/

[BLeeP]

This will be amazing. As many others stated (and some silly blokes tried to understate), there are few bands with as wide of range and great as music as the Beatles.

Of course I say all this while my wallet gently weeps 8-(.

[pomeroy]

Of course I say all this while my wallet gently weeps 8-(.

I'm surprised that you were the first to say this.

[Cyndair]

Having a few Beatles tunes in my RB catalog would be great for parties. Everybody knows the Beatles. Everybody can actually sing along. Hope this turns out to be true.

[Esquilax1138]

Oh I've heard all the Beatles stuff, from the mop top days to the acid trip stoners, but's it's nothing Pink Floyd didn't do, and Floyd did the acid rock stuff better in my book.

Hey, they Beatles are ok, I like some of their stuff, they are just not the best band in the world to make a whole music game around.

That would be Rush of course :P

[King3567]

There has never been, nor, given the state of the modern recording industry, is there ever likely to be, another band with more wide variety of talents and more willingness to explore those talents, than the Beatles.

Not even the Rolling Stones hold a candle to their repertoire of musical styles and experimentation.


Um...Led Zeppelin? They are way better than the Beatles and are by far the most talented in songwriting out of all the old rock bands and have explored so many different genres. This the band that I want on here because they have great tunes and they would actually be fun to play. Go ahead and say that the Beatles have old songs that are "technical", but which ones do you really think they are going to put up on the Music Store?

[pomeroy]

Um...Led Zeppelin? They are way better than the Beatles

I like how you say this as if it is fact.

[Typical Michael]

CCR pack plz.

[King3567]

I like how you say this as if it is fact.

At least admit they are more talented than the Beatles "technically". I feel that they would be more fun to play since some of their stuff would actually have some difficulty.

[Superman's Dead]

Having a few Beatles tunes in my RB catalog would be great for parties. Everybody knows the Beatles. Everybody can actually sing along. Hope this turns out to be true.

Really really good point.

[divinechaos]

If Paperback Writer isn't on the list then they fail.

[Hotcod]

I'm not a big Beatles fan... i have grown up in liverpool and there's a all invasive presence of them here, even more so that i live near where most of them grew up, i go to uni leennon went to, hell i've even played a gig with the quarry men. There's hardly a week goes by where i'm not past by some tour bus or other... and it's annoying but it's also kind of the point.

Dismissing them as 'right place right time' is just the most idiotic "look how cool i am" crap that people spout beacuse when something is as big as they where and still are there are people who will always try and establish them selfs as 'anit cool' beacuse they think it makes me look better than the huddled masses or some such rubbish. They as a band where a perfect pop group and any one who dismisses pop song writing as unworthy or uninteresting really hasn't tried to write pop based songs (i've been in a number of poppunk bands and so on) and that is before you even start to talk about the experimenting they did... Pop music in both culture and how it's written exists in 2 very distinct ways, before and after the beatles. There is very little pop or even popular music that exits today that has not in some way been informed by the band and some of the things they did.

So in other words, you can dislike most of there stuff like i do but you can not try and undersell there impact... are they the best band and musicians in the world? no, probably not by a long shot but they where very very talented and have had a lasting effect on western music as a whole in a way that no one single band has ever really done before.

As for this news... doesn't really matter to the group of freinds that i tend to play it with buuuuuut i can see it being grate for family parties and such and i think it could be a really very important move in the whole gh3 vs rb2 battle

[Hotcod]

At least admit they are more talented than the Beatles "technically". I feel that they would be more fun to play since some of their stuff would actually have some difficulty.

ah the good old "technical/difficult = better" argument... spend any time around local gigs and you will find lots of bands playing music that is amazingly technical and very difficult and utterly utterly rubbish. The same kind of talent is needed to write good songs no matter if they are technical or not and in fact the best simplistic song are often much much harder to get right.

Also i think you need to look at the technicality and talent need to play and instrument and the technicality and talent involved in writing music as being vastly different. A lot of what you would see as simple boring beatles song are musically very very technical and complex in what they do and where the roots come from... just beacuse they may end up refined down to a 3 chord riff isn't really the point.

[Psykoboy2]

There has never been, nor, given the state of the modern recording industry, is there ever likely to be, another band with more wide variety of talents and more willingness to explore those talents, than the Beatles.

This man speaks the truth.

Name me one other band that, not only kept their lineup the same through out it's history, but whose members each had a successful solo career (every member had a #1 song on the charts as a solo artist).

But, back on topic for a bit...I thought Michael Jackson owned the rights to the Beatles library. Still, this isn't a move about what would work in a Rock Band game, this is based purely on how massively popular this band is.

[Nameless]

CCR pack plz.

Seconded!

As for the Beatles, I'm immensely pleased to hear that they may be coming to RB. I came in late to the Beatles party (didn't really like them until I started listening to their 'crazier' stuff, and then gained appreciation for their earlier stuff), but I'll still go out on a limb and say that they were some of the best songwriters to ever live, period. Certainly, in terms of their genre of music, they are the top, as can be demonstrated by the fact that so many bands cite the Beatles as one of their influences.

So there's less solos for the guitarist (though there's still While My Guitar Gently Weeps), at least your singer gets to have some fun for a little while. And maybe the drummer too if he tries to have as much fun as Ringo.

[MosBen]

Every discussion of the Beatles inevitably devolves into a discussion of whether they were the "best rock band ever," which is silly. Few people will ever be able to agree in such a discussion. What should be plainly obvious is that the Beatles had loads of catchy tunes that millions of people love, making their inclusion in Rock Band a huge coup. Will their songs be the most technically difficult in the game? Of course not, but not everyone looks at their game time as a chance to hone their 1337 skillz but as a chance to have fun, and playing songs you love with some friends will almost surely equal tons of fun for lots of people.

Personally, I can't wait.

[TheBrainKills]

This fantastic news, now we need some Pink Floyd, Yes, Dire Straits, Led Zep and maybe some Super Tramp.... Also some more Heart please.

[Disgustipated]

At least admit they are more talented than the Beatles "technically". I feel that they would be more fun to play since some of their stuff would actually have some difficulty.

What a try-hard. Come back and talk to us when you learn that music is subjective and your pretentious opinion isn't the end-all be-all. :p

[Vandabo]

This fantastic news, now we need some Pink Floyd, Yes, Dire Straits, Led Zep and maybe some Super Tramp.... Also some more Heart please.

Wow, you just named most of my request list for Rock Band right there.

[Talon]

Can't wait to destroy my voice trying to match Lennon on Twist and Shout.

Yes, I'm aware it's a cover.

[mister slim]

At least admit they are more talented than the Beatles "technically". I feel that they would be more fun to play since some of their stuff would actually have some difficulty.

Yes, Led Zeppelin are more technically talented than the Beatles. On the other hand, having listened to a fair amount of classic blues, Led Zeppelin are also more talented rip-off-artists than the Beatles.

[Wolvie]

This fantastic news, now we need some Pink Floyd, Yes, Dire Straits, Led Zep and maybe some Super Tramp.... Also some more Heart please.

I have been pining for some Pink Floyd in my Rock Band for so long it's not even funny. And yes Led Zeppelin would also kick major ass.

[Rock Bandit]

Wow, they just talked about this on the radio news show I listen to in the morning. This is real, this is happening. To anyone who doesn't think Beatles music won't work in RB all I have to say is:

She Loves You
I Want To Hold Your Hand
She's A Woman
I'm Down
I Feel Fine
I Wanna Be Your Man
Hard Day's Night
Can't Buy Me Love
Help!
Ticket To Ride
I Saw Her Standing There
Day Tripper
Paperback Writer
Rain
Revolution
Drive My Car
If I Needed Someone
Taxman
She Said, She Said
And Your Bird Can Sing
Back In The U.S.S.R.
Glass Onion
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Birthday
Yer Blues
Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey
Helter Skelter
Come Together
Get Back
I Me Mine
For You Blue
One After 909

And, you know, that's just off the top of my head.

[EternalGamer]

I am happy about this primarily because maybe it means they will start branching out in the music. In fact, I'm ready for Rockband to stop just being "ROCK" band. I am tired of 80's hairband music and I was tired of the metal stuff before I even heard it the first time. People who don't like a particular style of music or don't think it will work, don't have to play it. I just want the option to play stuff that fits more of my musical tastes.

[Cupelix]

I am seriously counting the minutes until 10:00 to find out the details about this. I was raised on The Beatles.

For those saying that their music isn't "technical" enough or shit like that, remember that at its core, Rock Band is a party game. The songs that are popular with a crowd do not even vaguely correspond to the songs that are complicated and/or difficult to play. If that were so, Bon Jovi would not be in there, and yet damn do people want to sing and play that song. Rock Band songs in a party setting are heavily constrained by the vocal track: if no one knows the tune, you're not playing that song. It will be trivial for them to release Beatles songs that 75% of the world knows the tune.

I've been waiting for this news since Rock Band came out last year. Holy crap!

[Klunka]

Name me one other band that, not only kept their lineup the same through out it's history, but whose members each had a successful solo career (every member had a #1 song on the charts as a solo artist).

Pete Best would like a word with you

[Rock Bandit]

Pete Best would like a word with you

Pete and Stuart Sutcliffe, but Psykoboy's basic point stands.

Also name another band that was able to be the biggest band in the world where every album was a garaunteed #1 hit, and the band didn't even tour.

The Beatles didn't just change music, they changed the entire culture. You can argue about band's being better but no band was ever bigger.

[Zero]

Dethklok?

I kid. I kid.

[Rock Bandit]

But Dethklok is touring, right?

[Zero]

But Dethklok is touring, right?

Touchè.


Douchè. :D

[Telefrog]

Debunked. It will be a completely new game. Press release below.

THE BEATLES INSPIRE NEW MUSIC VIDEO GAME; APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX COME TOGETHER FOR UNPRECEDENTED DEAL

Exclusive Agreement Set to Bring The Beatles Music to Fans for the First Time in Interactive Form Here, There and Everywhere in 2009

New York, NY – October 30, 2008 – The Beatles' extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band®, the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles. The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out," Sir Paul McCartney said.

"It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership," said Ringo Starr. "The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles' legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in. Let the games commence."

"It's cool. I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation for many decades," said Yoko Ono Lennon.

"People are having so much fun playing Rock Band. Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate," said Olivia Harrison. "If you like the music, it doesn't take much persuasion to get you to play."

"Introducing the genius of The Beatles to a whole new generation of music lovers through original and inspired ways is extremely exciting to us at Apple Corps," stated Jeff Jones, CEO, Apple Corps. "We are truly pleased to be working with the innovative forces at MTV and Harmonix as they embody our mutual passions for music and creativity."

"Many of us have been part of a generation that has long enjoyed an enduring love affair with The Beatles and now we're looking to extend that love affair for future generations to enjoy," said Van Toffler." "Our inspiration for this project comes from a keen sense of history and a place of utmost reverence and respect for the band, their music and their heritage."

"The impact of The Beatles is forever ingrained in the hearts, minds and souls of millions the world over," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. "The Beatles are the reason many of us are WHERE we are, and some of us are WHO we are."

"We are honored to be part of this new way for people to discover the timeless music and art of The Beatles - the most creatively and commercially successful, critically acclaimed, and influential band in the history of popular music," stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV's Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music.

"By presenting their music and artistry through the creative filter of a groundbreaking video game, we are giving legions of fans and music lovers all over the world a profound, new way to experience The Beatles," said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmonix. "This game will be a celebration of the Beatles undeniable legacy."

[Cyndair]

Debunked. It will be a completely new game. Press release below.

OK, the press release just confused the hell out of me. Anyone else? It does sound like a completely separate game but there are no specifics. Oh well, at least Harmonix is developing it.

[Mdot]

This will rule. Listen to Revolver or The White Album if you think the Beatles aren't talented. 2 down (Beatles, AC/DC), 1 to go (Zeppelin).

[Klunka]

"People are having so much fun playing Rock Band. Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate," said Olivia Harrison. "If you like the music, it doesn't take much persuasion to get you to play."

That still sounds to me like we're getting Beatles Rock Band tracks.

Maybe it's just like a Rock Band expansion. Similar to Guitar Hero: 80's encore.

[Mike Kelehan]

That still sounds to me like we're getting Beatles Rock Band tracks.

Maybe it's just like a Rock Band expansion. Similar to Guitar Hero: 80's encore.

It's probably more akin to Rock Band AC/DC, where it'll be a disc with all Beatles songs, but include a code to export them for play on other RB games.

Edit: Looks like we were all wrong. It's not Rock Band at all, but a completely new game that works with other games' instruments:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6200313.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=topstory&tag=topstory;title

[Zero]

WOO HOO! YAY! WOOT!

Other celebratory things!

:)

[Telefrog]

Okay, the clarification is that this is a separate stand-alone game based on the Beatles' career. Built on the Rock Band base, but not offered as a track pack.

[Cupelix]

OK, the press release just confused the hell out of me. Anyone else? It does sound like a completely separate game but there are no specifics. Oh well, at least Harmonix is developing it.

That still sounds to me like we're getting Beatles Rock Band tracks.

It's probably more akin to Rock Band AC/DC, where it'll be a disc with all Beatles songs, but include a code to export them for play on other RB games.

From the release, "The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing." "The game" is the key phrase. It's definitely stand alone. I hope that you'll be able to export the music to RB so that I can continue to have a one disc RB system with access to all my playable music.

The phrasing is weird though; I think what they're trying to get across is that it's a stand alone game dedicated to The Beatles, but built on the Rock Band system/setup.

[Rock Bandit]

This will rule. Listen to Revolver or The White Album if you think the Beatles aren't talented. 2 down (Beatles, AC/DC), 2 to go (Zeppelin/Pink Floyd).

Had to do a little tweaking there buddy. ;)

[MagGnome]

This is really exciting! The Beatles have always been one of my favorite bands. :)

[Talanvor]

I think I'm okay with this, as long as the songs themselves can be imported into Rock Band proper and not be cordoned off.