While it was previously reported in July that Led Zeppelin would be releasing their new hits compilation Mothership to all major digital music distributors in November, the news just got significantly better. The New York Times is now reporting that Led Zeppelin’s ENTIRE CATALOG will be available in digital format in November; that’s I – IV, House of the Holy, all of them.

This move of course coincides with the new hits album as well as Zeppelin reuniting for the first time in 19 years to play one show on November 26th. And yes, they will be on iTunes.

With Zeppelin joining the digital age, that leaves just Garth Brooks and The Beatles as the only acts with more records sold who have not allowed their music to be distributed digitally yet. The Beatles will undoubtedly be coming at some point in the next few months as now all of the individual members have digital distribution deals in place, and Apple has settled their copyright feud with Apple Records. No word on Garth Brooks (okay, to be honest I didn’t even look because I could care less).

of a new $60 million dollar deal Warner/One interesting note in all of this is that this digital distribution deal appears to be a sidenoteChappell Music has given Led Zeppelin in order to ensure they stay with the label for at least the next decade. The band is said to be getting significantly higher royalty rates on certain recordings as well. Was Warner worried Zeppelin would stake out on its own to distribute digitally a la Radiohead? Probably not, but interesting nonetheless.

Also interesting is that the catalog will supposedly be available first as ringtones on Verizon Wireless. For some reason the people who actually buy ringtones don’t strike me as the same crowd that is really into Led Zeppelin. Maybe I’m wrong, regardless I’m happy to see one of the best bands of all time finally embrace the digital age.