Another Beatle is going digital. Ringo Starr has agreed for the first time to release his Capitol/EMI solo catalog online, including 1970's "Beacoups of Blues" and "Sentimental Journey," 1973's "Ringo," and 1974's "Goodnight Vienna, beginning Aug. 28. A collection of six ringtones will also debut then.
The music will be available to all existing digital music services currently carrying EMI content, including in unprotected MP3 formats.
Fellow ex-Beatle Paul McCartney took the digital leap this spring, releasing his entire solo catalog online, including his new album "Memory Almost Full." All McCartney songs are available without DRM protection.
The Starr move raises further speculation that the Beatles catalog is next in line for digital release. McCartney told Billboard recently that a deal was "virtually settled" but declined to reveal specifics.
For Starr, the deal also brings him back to the EMI stable for future recordings. His next solo album, "Liverpool 8," is due in January; a CD/DVD best-of, "Photograph," arrives Aug. 28 and features music recorded between 1970 and 2005.
The music will be available to all existing digital music services currently carrying EMI content, including in unprotected MP3 formats.
Fellow ex-Beatle Paul McCartney took the digital leap this spring, releasing his entire solo catalog online, including his new album "Memory Almost Full." All McCartney songs are available without DRM protection.
The Starr move raises further speculation that the Beatles catalog is next in line for digital release. McCartney told Billboard recently that a deal was "virtually settled" but declined to reveal specifics.
For Starr, the deal also brings him back to the EMI stable for future recordings. His next solo album, "Liverpool 8," is due in January; a CD/DVD best-of, "Photograph," arrives Aug. 28 and features music recorded between 1970 and 2005.
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