Rock Encyclopedia

Rock Band 3 to Rock the World on Oct. 26, 2010, with More Than 2,000 Songs Available to Fans at Launch

Raising the bar once again for interactive music games with the addition of groundbreaking new features that include keyboards, vocal harmonies and Rock Band Pro Mode, Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., the world’s premier music video game developer, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks  announced that Imagine, the timeless album from John Lennon, will be among the first albums released as Rock Band™ 3 downloadable content.

“The songs on John Lennon’s Imagine run the gamut from beautiful piano-driven ballads like ‘Jealous Guy’ to all-out guitar rockers like ‘Gimme Some Truth’,” said Paul DeGooyer, senior vice president of electronic games, music and programming for MTV Networks. “It’s an incredible musical statement, and a real workout on keyboard, guitar and vocals in Rock Band 3. We’re very excited to confirm it as one of the first downloads for our new game, and to help our fans celebrate John’s 70th birthday with its release.”

As previously announced, The Doors will kick off Rock Band 3 downloadable content Oct. 22, but Harmonix and MTV Games have quite a line-up to follow that debut. Adding to an already impressive catalog of more than 2,000 songs available on the Rock Band platform, music from John Lennon, The Doors, Bon Jovi and Billy Joel will also be among the first available for download through the Rock Band 3 Music Store after the game launches Oct. 26 in the United States and Oct. 29 in the rest of the world. (more…)

Rock Band 3 Owners Can Download “Light My Fire,” “Riders on the Storm” and “Touch Me” for Free Through the In-Game Music Store During Launch Week

Newly-Discovered Live Doors Set Releases Nov. 22 on Rhino Records/Bright Midnight Archives

Harmonix and MTV Games announced that the legendary music of The Doors will be the first available for download in Rock Band 3 when the game launches Oct. 26 in North America and Oct. 29 in the rest of the world for the Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 , Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS, and MTV Games and Harmonix are giving away three of The Doors’ songs for one week to any fan that purchases Rock Band 3 and plays online to celebrate the release of the game.

“I’m very excited that keyboards are finally a part of Rock Band. It’s about time you guys got hip to the necessity of keys in rock,” said Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors. “This is going to be great for all the gamers, because it’s a lot more difficult. Rock Band 3 will require some brainwork, so . . . ‘Break On Through!’ The free downloads, ‘Light My Fire,’ ‘Riders On the Storm’ and ‘Touch Me,’ are all great keyboard songs. And look out for The Doors’ lost masterpiece, Live in Vancouver , when it comes out Nov. 22!”

“At the outset of the Rock Band 3 project, we identified The Doors, and their powerful songs driven by intricately woven keyboard, guitar and drum parts, as ideal for our game,” said Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Music, Electronic Games and Programming for MTV Networks. “As they are also one of the greatest rock bands of all time, we are tremendously proud that they will be the first artist featured in the Rock Band 3 download store, and that we’re able to bring this special offer of their music to everyone who buys Rock Band 3 the week it releases.” (more…)

Rock Band Platform Offers More Songs Than Any Other Rhythm Video Game

It’s official and ahead of schedule!  Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game developer, and MTV Games,a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks, announced that next week’s downloadable content release of tracks from The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s seminal album, Are You Experienced, will push the Rock Band platform past the 2,000-song milestone, with the classic song “Are You Experienced?” coming in at No. 2,000.  More than 2,000 tracks will be available for play in Rock Band 3 when it is released Oct. 26 in North America and Oct. 29 in the rest of the world for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and Nintendo DS.

“The success of our song downloads has afforded us the opportunity to approach Rock Band as an interactive music platform and reshape the way gamers think of expansion content,” said Paul DeGooyer, senior vice president of electronic games, music and programming for MTV Networks.   ”Our commitment to weekly releases, disc export, forward compatibility of downloads and the launch of the Rock Band Network were milestones in the development of Rock Band‘s vibrant digital business.  Now, with the release of our 2,000th song, we are reaffirming our commitment to present new music every week – and with the new features in Rock Band 3, there will be more ways than ever to experience it.”

Featuring the music of more than 800 different bands, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, AC/DC, Green Day, Queen, Slayer, Metallica, Journey, Bob Marley and many more, the Rock Band platform leads the way in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists. To see the complete listing of bands and a host of fun stats, please click here. (more…)