Following the success of the recent Beatles remasters, John Lennon's solo work will also get the digital treatment. Alongside producer Jack Douglas, Lennon's widow Yoko Ono oversaw the work of engineers on 121 tracks in New York as well as the infamous Abbey Road.
Ono, who recently came under fire for licensing her late husband's image to Citroen for an advertising campaign, said she hoped the remasters would bring his music to a new generation.
"In this very special year, which would have seen my husband and life partner John reach the age of 70, I hope that this remastering/reissue programme will help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience.
"By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John's work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition ... His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written."
Classic albums 'Imagine' (1971) and 'Rock 'n' Roll' (1975) are among those to be remastered, while 1980's 'Double Fantasy', the last album Lennon released before his death, has had a number of instruments removed to create a controversial 'stripped down' version.
While Yoko worked with John on a several of his solo albums, she admitted it was returning to 'Double Fantasy' that was the most difficult.
"It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing."
The John Lennon remasters will be released on October 1th as part of a global campaign entitled 'Gimme Some Truth'. The campaign commemorates the musical icon's birthday, which would have seen him turn 70 on October 9th.
As well as Lennon's eight solo albums, the campaign's other new collections include a hits compilation in two editions titled Power To The People: The Hits, a 4CD set of themed discs titled Gimme Some Truth, a deluxe 11CD collectors box with the remastered albums, rarities, and non-album singles, titled the John Lennon Signature Box.
All of the remastered albums and collections will be available on CD and for download purchase from all major digital service providers.
