Sony Music Would Like to See Beatles Exclusive Guitar Hero – Who Wouldn’t?
By Stephany on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 7:38 AM PST In Activision, Game Companies, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony
I guess that Sony/ATV Music Publishing, who owns the rights to Lennon-McCartney penned Beatles’ tunes, is finally seeing the bigger picture when it comes to the iconic foursome. Martin N. “Marty” Bandier, Sony/ATV’s top executive, has stated that he likes the idea of a Beatles edition of the Guitar Hero franchise, a la Aerosmith, and that it is “something we have talked about and something I’d like to pursue.”
Sony/ATV has always been a bit tight when allowing companies or anyone else to use or hawk a Beatles tune, and that is understandable. I mean, you would not want to hear your favorite tune from the Fab-Four being blared across your TV in a cat food commercial now would you? But recently, the music company has loosened up a bit regarding usage, and has even allowed American Idol contestants to to sacreligiously destroy such wonderful music on Fox’s hit show.
This news gives hope to Beatles fans everywhere who have dreamed of the possibility of jamming along to our most treasured songs. Apparently this dream is not so far fetched anymore as this could actually happen. I would like to request “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” though – I do not know the copyright laws on anything penned by George Harrison, but that would be a sweet addition to it. George Harrison was my favorite member of the Beatles and it would just not seem right to not have some of his works included.
Via: La Times
If there was a Guitar Hero game dedicated to The Beatles, I can guaran-damn-tee it will sell more than Guitar Hero has on it’s own. If Beatles fans hear you could play their treasured songs, they’ll go out and buy a 360/PS3/Wii for the chance to play the songs. Trust me, it will benefit everyone, especially Activision.
But the question is,will Michael Jackson, who owns the rights to all of the Beatles songs, allow this?
I meant to say I thought Michael Jackson owned the rights to the Beatles songs and would he allow this…..my bad…..
Actually he had to sell some of his rights to the songs when he declared bankruptcy so he could pay off his debt.
It has been reported that the 400 million deal McCartney cut with iTunes will dole out some of the proceeds from the sale to: (of course) Paul, Lennon’s estate, Ringo Star, George’s estate, and Michael Jackson. So I am sure everyone would get a piece of the Guitar Hero pie should or when this occurs.
I hate the idea of this and the Aerosmith Guitar Hero. It’s a ploy to make more money when there is a PERFECTLY feasible avenue to achieve the same thing through downloadable content. Release their music, maybe add a little flair to the game when playing those songs, and you’ve got the same thing.
Instead, they’re going to end up releasing entirely new games that will probably come with new guitars and all that nonsense.
@Chris: I, along with many others have grown up listening to The Beatles. Trust me when I say if this game actually came out, it would be huge for all video games/Beatles fans. A Beatles Guitar Hero game seems like a much better idea than an Aerosmith game. Aerosmith doesn’t compare to The Beatles.
Agreed, However I really think The Beatles would be better suited for Rock Band more so than Guitar Hero…….just my .02….
@ManOfTeal: I was thinking the same thing. It would be awesome to play all of the instruments. Almost everyone knows a good majority of the popular Beatles songs, so vocals wouldn’t be too much trouble. I think the drums would be really fun to play. Who wouldn’t want to sit in the shoes of Ringo?
Guys, you all got it wrong. Sony mean only on PS3 platform! Suckers *v*
Worst idea ever.
Maybe, just maybe, one or two songs.
I, as a GH devotee would be pissed as hell. I’m already steaming because of this Aerosmith BS
I think I’m just going to switch to RB -_-;
This would turn Guitar Hero into Guitar BORING
OMG!!! That would be sweet. I love the Beatles and and all of their music. I would be one of the first in line for it
I’ve been hoping for a long time that this would happen, and it will make me extrememly happy if it does! I’m like one of the biggest Beatles fans ever, so I’d be very willing to buy a PS3 or whatever just for that! Every single guitar oriented song needs to be included, even acoustic songs. And the guitars to buy for it should definitely be made to look like John’s Rickenbacker or one of George’s guitars. It would be even better to have this on Rock Band so you could have Paul’s Hofner bass, too, ’cause there’s tons of amazing bass lines, but oh well. Could you imagine playing things like Day Tripper, Birthday, or even Blackbird? Sounds amazing, and I’m sure it will sell a lot. Please release this!!
I would rather play Bealtes songs on Rock Band, but Guitar Hero 4 is coming out with drums and a mic. Ever since i first played Guitar Hero, I’ve wished to play Beatles songs on the game. Now there’s a possibility that it might actually happen! (even though the chances aren’t that great)