Led Zeppelin Changes Tune, Will Sell Songs Online

The heavy-metal legends—who were among the last big-name holdouts of the digital music boom—have finally seen the light (or sold out, depending on your point of view) and will start selling their tunes online. First up: an exclusive, uh, ringtone deal with Verizon Wireless.

I have to admit, I'm surprised that the same group that's been so famously picky about licensing its music (well, besides those cringe-inducing TV commercials for Cadillac) would allow "Kashmir" to become a cheesy ringtone...but hey, I guess they're entitled. Anyway, The New York Times reports that Led Zeppelin ringtones, wallpapers. alert tones, and "ringback" tones will be available this week on Verizon Wireless, while full-track song downloads will go on sale through Verizon's V Cast service, iTunes, and other online retailers starting November 13.

So, now that Led Zeppelin's selling its tunes online, who's still digging in their heels? The NYT notes that Garth Brooks and, of course, The Beatles are among the most famous of the remaining digital holdouts (although solo albums from each Beatle are now on sale from iTunes). Meanwhile, such high-profile acts as AC/DC and even Metallica (the group that had a hand in taking out the original Napster) finally bowed to the pressure (or were lured by the potential revenue) and began selling their music online.

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Led Zeppelin to Make Its Songs Available Digitally