Holden: “If the buzz is any indicator, that movie’s gonna make some huge bank.”
Jay: “What buzz?”
Holden: “The Internet buzz.”
Jay: “What the fuck is the Internet?”
— from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Apparently, rock dinosaurs Led Zeppelin have decided that the Interweb might actually turn out to be worth something after all. The band — one of the biggest remaining holdouts when it comes to digital music delivery — has announced that its music will soon be available through iTunes and other online music stores. Said guitarist Jimmy Page in a statement released to the media:
“The addition of the digital option will better enable fans to obtain their music in whichever manner they prefer.”
Of course, fans have already been obtaining their music in the manner they prefer — ripping it from CDs or downloading it for nothing using Bit Torrent. Nice to see the boys have finally decided to join the 20th century, six years after it ended.
And while Radiohead is carving its own path with “pay what you want” downloads, and bands like Oasis and Nine Inch Nails are said to be considering a similar move, Led Zeppelin has decided to extend its relationship with Warner Music — in return for $60-million and a higher royalty rate. Royalty indeed.