'The Beatles: Rock Band' game details revealed

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Avatars of Paul, George and John from the forthcoming "The Beatles: Rock Band"

Credit: Harmonix

If you weren't a fan of the "Rock Band" video game franchise before, you'll be one now. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison announced today details on the forthcoming "The Beatles: Rock Band," to be released via Harmonix on Sept. 9.

The game will include some of the same artist-centric formula as the previously released Metallica and Aerosmith versions have. Players are invited to go on the Beatles' journey from their start at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England to their last performance on the roof of Apple Corps headquarters in January 1969.

Setlists, venues, clothes, instruments and even hairstyles will of the avatars will change throughout Beatlemania, From "Ed Sullivan" to Shea Stadium, and from studio session to studio session. "The Beatles: Rock Band" features 45 songs from the Fab Four, including "I Saw Her Standing There," "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "I Feel Fine," "Taxman," "Day Tripper," Back In The USSR," "I Am The Walrus," "Octopus's Garden," "Here Comes The Sun," and "Get Back."

"All You Need Is Love" will be available as a downloadable song on Sept. 9 as well, with all proceeds from its sale going toward the non-profit Doctors Without Borders. The entire album of 1969's "Abbey Road," the last album the foursome recorded together, will also be up for download, along with several other tracks. The game's full playlist will be announced at a later date.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the game's avatars, controllers, screenshots and more.

Upon its release -- which occurs the same day that the entire Beatles CD catalogue will be re-released, re-mastered -- gamers will also snap up controller replicas of the Beatles' most recognizable instruments: McCartney's Höfner bass, George Harrison's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar, John Lennon's Rickenbacker 325 guitar and Starr's Beatles-branded pearl-top Ludwig drums. In true-to-life fashion, three-part harmony vocals will be introduced into the play-along-songs, a first for Harmonix. Versions will be available for Wii, PlayStation and X-Box.

This is the first time the Beatles and their respective estates have ever allowed for any interactive game use their songs. The group is also famously one of the last hold-outs in allowing iTunes or any other digital music retailer to sell their original albums.

Dhani Harrison, son of George, has revealed in past interviews that unreleased Beatles material may be included in the game. Paul McCartney showed some of the "Rock Band" action during his performance at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts festival.