Fans rush online music store

It was the biggest event in music retailing since the CD: Australia's long-awaited entry to the iTunes digital music age.
After a 2½-year wait, the maker of the ubiquitous iPod, Apple, has launched a local version of its iTunes Music Store.
Seconds after the online store opened for business about 6.45am yesterday, fans were flocking to the site to hear and download tracks by local pop stars, to watch clips of popular Pixar movies from Hollywood, and download music videos, podcasts and audio books.
The timing of the launch was no surprise, coming in the publicity afterglow of Sunday's ARIA music awards and in the lead-up to Christmas. ARIA winners and nominees Missy Higgins, Ben Lee, End of Fashion, the Veronicas, Wolfmother, Thirsty Merc and Sarah Blasko all did brisk trading in the first hours.
But the excitement was tempered by the fact that music giant Sony BMG is withholding its extensive catalogue from the Apple store. This means no Shannon Noll, Pete Murray, Kelly Clarkson, Alex Lloyd, or Franz Ferdinand — acts that account for five of the top 15 albums on this week's Australian album chart.