Paul McCartney's new album, "Memory Almost Full," hits Starbucks' shelves today for caffeine junkies who are also Beatles fans. The legend's music debuts the coffee shop's Hear Music label.
Starbucks estimates that some 6 million people will be among the first to hear the new album as they line up for their lattes in more than 10,000 stores in 29 countries, where it will be playing on continuous loop throughout the day.
"Once we heard the album ... we just knew this was a phenomenal record," said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks' entertainment division. "It's such a reflection of his life and his career, I mean, the ups and downs and the recognition of really what a remarkable journey it has been. So it was really for us the perfect fit."
McCartney remains Hear Music's only artist, but Lombard said the label plans to sign two more artists this year and eight next year. Executives remain hopeful that McCartney will sign on for future albums.
"The relationship is going very well between us, and it is our hope that Paul is feeling the same way," Lombard said. "When the time is right, we'll talk about what the next steps are going to be beyond this, but right now our focus is doing everything we can to ensure that 'Memory Almost Full' is an extraordinary success."
