Apple today kicked off its countdown to half a billion songs sold on the iTunes Music Store with an online song counter so music fans around the world can participate in the race to purchase and download the 500 millionth song. As part of the countdown, Apple is giving away an iPod mini and an iTunes gift card for 50 songs to the iTunes customer who purchases the winning song at each 100,000 interval. The person who downloads the 500 millionth song will win the grand prize-10 iPods of their choice to share with family and friends, an iTunes gift card for 10,000 songs and an all-expenses paid trip for four to see Coldplay on their world tour.

Apple today also announced the availability of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “The Long and Winding Road” on the iTunes Music Store. Both songs were recorded live at this past weekend’s Live 8 benefit concerts featuring U2 and Sir Paul McCartney. Proceeds from the sales of these one- time-only performances will benefit debt relief in Africa.

“As we prepare to cross this major milestone of half a billion songs, we want to thank our customers, the artists and the music labels who have helped make iTunes a global success,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of applications in the press release. “iTunes continues to be the world’s number one online music store featuring the world’s best digital music including special performances such as the Live 8 concerts.”

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Store features more than 1.5 million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels, 10,000 audiobooks, gift certificates and exclusive music not found anywhere else online.

iTunes Milestones:
• April 28, 2003 – Launched in United States.
• May 5, 2003 – One million songs sold.
• May 14, 2003 – 2 million songs sold.
• June 23, 2003 – 5 million songs sold.
• September 8, 2003 – 10 million songs sold.
• October 16, 2003 – Available for windows. 13 million songs sold.
• December 15, 2003 – 25 million songs sold.
• March 15, 2004 – 50 million songs sold.
• April 28, 2004 – 70 million songs sold.
• June 15, 2004 – Available in UK France Germany.
• July 12, 2004 – 100 million songs sold.
• October 14, 2004 – 150 million songs sold.
• October 26, 2004 – Available to music lovers in the European Union.
• December 2, 2004 – Available in Canada.
• December 16, 2004 – 200 million songs sold.
• January 24, 2005 – 250 million songs sold.
• May 10, 2005 – 400 million songs sold. Custom stores for music fans in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland

Find out more about Apple’s iTunes Music Store Countdown to half a billion, including the Official Rules, here.