History of 09.09.09

September 8, 2009

HISTORY OF 09.09.09

What makes this date unique, different from other repeated dates like 08.08.08? Here’s a hint:

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine…

These are the lyrics to “Revolution 9” from The Beatles‘ self-titled “White Album,” which if played backwards might sound like “turn me on dead man.”

But there are at least three reasons why the date September 9, 2009 (09.09.09) may have some more contemporary significance in Beatles history:

It marks the debut of the video game The Beatles: Rock Band

For the 1st time the Beatles catalog will be available digitally remastered on disc

It may launch availability on iTunes of The Beatles music

It has often been rumored that Apple Corp and Apple (Computer) would finally come together and release The Beatles music digitally on the largest online music store, iTunes. Indeed, Apple has scheduled a special event in San Francisco for 09.09.09. Rumors range from the launch of new iPods (likely) to a new iTablet (unlikely) but is themed around music with the cryptic title “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it.” The fact that these are Rolling Stones lyrics rather than Beatles lyrics do not dim the hopes of long patient Beatles fans who have already traveled a long and winding road.

UPDATE post 09.09.09: While Steve Jobs announced new iPods, new music features in a new iTunes, and an update to iPhone OS 3.1… there was no Beatles on iTunes announcement. Of course, each of the individual Beatles is already on iTunes, but many were expecting iTunes to put the band back together.

The Beatles’ music hasn’t been available digitally remastered as it will be on 09.09.09. Superior to previously released CDs, the new albums will be available for both remastered mono and stereo songs. There will be a boxed set The Beatles in Mono, and another boxed set of the 14 stereo albums, in addition to individual digital remastered stereo albums. Many of the early albums were originally released by producer Sir George Martin in mono as most people at the time didn’t have stereos. The Beatles catalog has not been digitally remastered until now, with two notable exceptions: 2004’s The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1 box set, and some music used for the 2006 “Love” Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. I’ve seen the show and can say that it blows my mind.

But the greatest anticipation around 09.09.09 is for the new game The Beatles: Rock Band by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. For months pre-orders have been available and little snippets of information has been available at the Pre-Order Club to those who’ve plunked down their money in advance at www.thebeatlesrockband.com. There are also interviews, song previews and inside stories. The excitement and media coverage includes both a Twitter feed and a Facebook fan page. Guitar Hero has done lucrative deals with acts like Aerosmith and Metallica, but this appeals to a different generation.

This is as close as we’ll get to a Beatles reunion, a virtual one of sorts, where the game player can be part of the band. As games have become increasingly immersive, this is an opportunity for Baby Boomers, who may not be your typical game player, to relive memories and participate vicariously — and in 3-part harmony. It’s guaranteed to raise a smile because McCartney, Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison have given their blessing and support for this game. From a software-only version for those who already have a Rock Band set-up to a full 3-guitar and drum kit for those who don’t, it will be interesting indeed. With the full kit comes replicas of:

John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325 guitar
Sir Paul McCartney‘s Höfner bass
George Harrison’s Gretsch Duo Jet guitar
Ringo Starr’s drums with a classic black oyster pearl finish and Ludwig-branded Beatles kick drum head

But the player does not just get to play the (plastic replicas of the) instruments that The Beatles played, but also play the venues The Beatles played, spanning the length of their career:

The Cavern Club in Liverpool
The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York
Shea Stadium
Budokan in Tokyo
Abbey Road Studio in London
Apple Corps Rooftop

In addition to the live venues, there will be a number of “dreamscapes” for the Sargent Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour portions. There will be rare photographs, linear notes, biographical backgrounds and previously unseen videos included.

With the release of this game, 45 tracks will be included with additional releases to follow from MTV’s download service. Pent-up demand has been great for this 1st legitimate availability of the digitally remastered versions of The Beatles’ music. I recall seeing bootleg MP3 versions available 15 years ago on CD in the chop shops of Singapore. The band continues to be a best-selling musical act. Indeed, their compilation of remastered #1 hits “Beatles 1” sold 29 million copies. (Yes, I know they should have included Please Please Me).

For all those people who played The Beatles via “air guitar,” who grew their hair long to match the Mop Tops, whose father thought this music would never last, who thought Liverpool accents were posh, who wanted to not just Meet The Beatles but Be The Beatles… this is for you.

So, what can we expect on 09.09.09?

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Here’s a preview from the animated cinematic scene portion of the game.

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com

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History of The Beatles: It Was 50 Years Ago Today on February 7, 2014 at 2:22 pm
[…] him twice and have written about his local concert here. He plays the soundtrack of my life. On 09/09/09 (“Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine”) Harmonix introduce their music-themed video […]

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