Fans of the iconic British band The Beatles now can purchase the group's music online from Apple's iTunes digital media store.
The U.S.-based technology giant announced Tuesday that songs from all 13 of The Beatles' original studio albums are available for download.
The Beatles were one of the last music groups not to make its songs available digitally, opting instead to sell them exclusively on CDs, tapes and records.
A statement on Apple's website quotes band member Paul McCartney expressing excitement about bringing the group's music to iTunes.
The announcement follows years of negotiations between Apple, The Beatles' record label EMI Group and Apple Corps, The Beatles' business group.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the company is "honored and thrilled" to welcome The Beatles to iTunes. He said Apple is realizing a dream it has had since launching iTunes 10 years ago.
The Beatles rose to fame in the 1960s, releasing a string of number one hits and becoming one of the most successful bands in history.
The group of four, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the late George Harrison and John Lennon, inspired a phenomenon of unprecedented crowds and mass hysteria that became known as "Beatlemania."
Apple promoted Tuesday's news with a teasing statement on its website a day earlier, saying Tuesday will be a day "you will never forget," and directing visitors to check back for an "exciting announcement from iTunes."
iTunes Now Selling Beatles Songs
