With Lennon finally online, rest of Fab Four likely to follow for iTunes

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today/AFP) 8/15/07 – John Lennon will finally make his bow online at iTunes with his solo work, though the move signals Apple’s long-awaited deal for the Beatles catalog itself is near a close.

16 of Lennon’s songs from EMI Music are for sale at iTunes as the “Lennon Legend” and “Acoustic” collections make their “worldwide digital debuts,” according to Apple.

Apple, who recently settled name lawsuits with Apple Records, still had to navigate waters infested with jealous rights-holders, Yoko Ono among the thorniest. “John would have loved the fact that his music will now be available in a format suited to a new generation of listeners,” Lennon’s widow Yoko said in a written statement.

Music by The Beatles had eluded the creator of iPods and iTunes until earlier this year, when Apple settled a trademark dispute with the band’s label, also named Apple, and scored a deal to sell songs by Paul McCartney.

Two down. And it’s not just Ringo and George’s estate holding out for top dollar. There are publishing companies like Michael Jackson/Sony’s ATV, label rights from EMI and Capitol and others.

“John Lennon is one of the greatest artists of our time,” said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who has an admitted inclination to view life in the context of song lyrics.

“We’re thrilled to have his solo catalog available on the iTunes Store for the first time.”

The Lennon solo works will be among EMI Music songs sold without the unpopular copy-blocking digital rights management (DRM) software at iTunes Plus, according to Apple.

Music industry insiders are expecting songs from the complete Beatles band to be soon available on iTunes.