As I write, copies of U2 and Sir Paul McCartney's live version of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band are being virtually pressed and rushed out for digital release. The song, which opened Hyde Park's Live 8 will be available to download on more than 200 websites by the end of the day.
Proceeds from the sales will go to Live 8. Organisers believe that that the performance of the 1967 song, by two of the world's most legendary musicians, is the fastest online release after a major music event and could possibly set a World Record.
The Live 8 version of Sergeant Pepper was transmitted by satellite to the BBC Television Centre in London and relayed to UK broadcaster Capital Radio. A recording was captured at Capital Radio for Universal Music, which prepared the track for delivery to online retailers throughout the world.
