Next stop for Guitar Hero: The Beatles?

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 18th 2008 at 11:15AM }

Help! We need somebody! Help! No, seriously folks, Martin N. "Marty" Bandier of Sony / ATV Music Publishing has officially stated that a version of Guitar Hero dedicated to The Beatles is something the company would "like to pursue." Now, we never intended to jump all over the "why isn't this on Rock Band?" bandwagon. Some music really makes more sense on Guitar Hero, but The Beatles? That just screams Rock Band. Of course, we understand why Mr. Bandier might fancy Guitar Hero over Rock Band. We imagine it's money. That's what he wants (that's what he wants). A lot of money. But just imagine all the people that could play on Rock Band (we wonder if you can). With any luck, Mr. ~~Kite~~ Bandier and Harmonix can work it out and come together. We just hope they don't make it bad. In the meantime, we'll just have to let it be and hope they don't let us down.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: activision, beatles, guitar-hero, harmonix, rock-band

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dick @ Mar 18th 2008 11:18AM

Well, Sir Paul did just lose a huge settlement to ol hop along (on one leg, I mean).
And Michael Jackson just worked out an expensive deal to keep Neverland for a while longer - He owns the Beatles catalog, FYI.

Seems like it makes sense.

But no one cares about poor poor Ringo.

Boff @ Mar 18th 2008 11:28AM

Ha ha nice one Richard! Good effort shoehorning that many references into the article!

@1: 25million for a few years marriage! I'd fucking marry him for that!! ;o)

Deck @ Mar 18th 2008 11:34AM

Bleh! Just get it on Rock Band! People should just forget Guitar Hero and go all Rock Band! Help! Rock Band needs somebody! Help!

Richard Mitchell @ Mar 18th 2008 11:38AM

Dick,

From what I've been reading -- mostly in older articles -- Michael will lose the rights this year. Maybe that's the reason for the timing? I honestly had never heard that he owned the catalog in the first place. What a strange world we live in.

thadwhit @ Mar 18th 2008 12:21PM

3 Points...

If Sony owns the Beatles recordings, they would probably want the game to be a big PS3 exclusive.

Whether the game goes to Guitar Hero or Rock Band, probably would depend on the ambition/vision of EA or Activision, as they would be putting up the big bucks. It looks at this point that Activision and the Guitar Hero franchise are more interested in the band exclusive games as they have gotten Aerosmith, and rumored U2, and now the Beatles rumor.

The other rumor is that Guitar Hero will be copping Rock Band's multi instrument setup anyway. They will surely at least be incorporating vocals into the mix. U2 and Beatles games would be lame with no singing.

Jonman @ Mar 18th 2008 12:49PM

*groan*

muffinmanlan @ Mar 18th 2008 12:58PM

i would so get this.

Richard Mitchell @ Mar 18th 2008 1:08PM

thadwhit,

For what it's worth, there are already Sony owned tracks on the 360 version of Rock Band. A quick google revealed The Clash, for example, which is under Epic Records, which is in turn owned by Sony.

thadwhit @ Mar 18th 2008 1:27PM

Richard,
Makes sense. Sony is so much bigger than just PS3, so I guess we're in luck on 360. Hopefully same will go for a blu-ray add-on.

mcwattersm @ Mar 18th 2008 1:29PM

Doesn't Micheal own some Elvis stuff too?

Misinformed DNA @ Mar 18th 2008 1:59PM

Paul and Michael were good friends, until the auction for the publishing rights. Paul and Michael were the top bidders and Michael won. Their friendship was dissolved after that.

Anyway, I would probably not buy this game for GH. I am not a big fan of guitar, I am more of a drummer and a singer. But I love the Beatles!

intRvenous @ Mar 18th 2008 2:02PM

Yes MJ will be losing the rights to Sony. very very sad...they should just go back to the living Beatles and their families. One of the worst debacles in music history...

Anyway, YES this makes much more sense for Rock Band. Who doesn't want to play RINGO!?

Josh @ Mar 18th 2008 2:35PM

rock band ftmfw! the beatles is a perfect choice for rock band, dammit

Tegolin @ Mar 18th 2008 4:15PM

GH Beatles?
Whats next, GH Hannah Montana?

zlionsfan @ Mar 18th 2008 4:30PM

If Sony recognizes the potential value of those songs, they'd release them in a game for both/all consoles, not just for the PS3. The PS3 will no doubt make up some ground now that the format war has ended, but there's no reason to lock out any one section of the console market from something that would make as much money as a Beatles game. (The same people who'll buy all Beatles tracks as soon as iTunes gets them will buy GH: Beatles or Rock Band albums as well.)

Brento @ Mar 18th 2008 4:56PM

Is today April 1st? Of course if the Beatles were on Rock Band most the kids playing the drums would be better than Ringo!

robert @ Mar 18th 2008 6:12PM

if they don't include helter skelter, they won't get my money. it's that simple. no Helter Skelter, NO MONEY!

Jason @ Mar 18th 2008 7:03PM

Bravo on all the song references, I didn't get half of them until I read it again. That must have taken a bit of effort, well done!

dopefiend @ Mar 19th 2008 8:46PM

two things:
-1-micheal didnt get ALL of the Beatles catalougue, just those that Paul owned the rights to. John owned the rights to the rest and are now in Yoko's control, who is very anal about who and what gets to use them.
-2-The Beatles and Hannah Montana are NOT comparable in any fashion....PERIOD.