George Harrison, the talented guitarist of The Beatles, is a figure whose influence transcended the world of music. Born in Liverpool on February 25, 1943, Harrison not only contributed iconic solos and innovative arrangements to the band but also left his mark as a songwriter and spiritual explorer.
His journey with The Beatles and his solo career offer a rich tapestry of curiosities and fascinating moments. From his involvement with India and the influence of Eastern music to his memorable collaborations and philanthropic efforts, George Harrison remains a source of inspiration for fans and musicians around the world. In this text, we will explore some intriguing and lesser-known facts about the “Quiet Beatle”, revealing surprising aspects of his life and legacy.
Get ready for an immersion into the history and unique contributions of this music icon.
1 – BIRTHDAY
Although fans celebrate his birthday on February 25, the musician stated in an interview that his birth occurred on the 24th. However, all documentation confirms that the official date of his birth is February 25, 1943.
2 – “DON’T BOTHER ME”
George Harrison’s debut as a Beatles songwriter came with the song “Don’t Bother Me,” included on the album With the Beatles. At the time of writing the song, Harrison was ill and confined to a hotel room, which inspired the title of the song, which can be translated as “Don’t Bother Me”.
3 – THE YOUNGEST IN THE BAND
George Harrison was the youngest Beatle in the quartet, being only 20 years old at the debut of The Beatles’ first album: Please Please Me in 1963. John was not keen on the idea of having someone so young, as when they were performing in Hamburg bars early in their career, George was underage and was even kicked out of one of those bars.
George earned his spot in the band by playing guitar and singing for John on a bus, instantly charming the Beatles’ leader.
4 – PREFERENCES
George’s favorite color was purple. He also had a great enthusiasm for Formula 1 racing, egg sandwiches, and the TV show Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
George was so passionate about the British comedy troupe from the show that he spent £3 million to finance the 1979 film Monty Python’s Life of Brian. He raised this amount by mortgaging his house, and comedian Eric Idle considered it “the highest amount ever paid to watch a film”.
5 – LOSING HIS VIRGINITY (WITH AN AUDIENCE)
Before he became famous, George lost his virginity to a prostitute while the Beatles were playing in Hamburg, Germany. But the most curious thing is that the other members of the band were in the room, hiding.
Later, when the “relationship” ended, his friends started to applaud the youngest of the group, who was 17 at the time.
6 – KNEW HOW TO PLAY DOZENS OF INSTRUMENTS
Every Beatles fan knows that George Harrison played guitar and sitar. However, the musician’s versatile skill allowed him to play 26 instruments, including xylophone, violin, conga, harmonica, and metallophone.
7 – BECAME ERIC CLAPTON’S WIFE
George Harrison had a relationship with Pattie Boyd, who was Eric Clapton’s wife at the time. Pattie Boyd was married to Harrison from 1966 to 1977, and during this period, Clapton developed feelings for her.
The situation became more complicated when Boyd separated from Harrison and eventually married Clapton in 1979. The relationship between Harrison and Boyd was a source of tension but also led to some iconic songs, such as Clapton’s “Layla”, which was inspired by the situation.
8 – UNDERESTIMATED BY PAUL MCCARTNEY
In an interview, Paul McCartney admitted that he underestimated George Harrison’s talent as a songwriter in the early days of The Beatles. “George was a bit behind when it came to songwriting. In the beginning, he didn’t show much interest”, said the band’s bassist.
In fact, in 1969, due to discontent with Paul McCartney’s behavior, George Harrison announced that he would leave The Beatles and stepped away for a few days. Annoyed with the situation, John Lennon even considered inviting Eric Clapton to replace Harrison. Clapton, in turn, did consider the offer, but it did not come to fruition.
9 – HARRISON WAS RESTRICTED FROM INCLUDING MANY SONGS ON THE BEATLES’ ALBUMS
George Harrison was a great songwriter, but The Beatles’ albums were famous for having “Lennon/McCartney” on the cover. Because of this, Harrison could only include one original song per album, so he always performed his own compositions. But don’t think this discouraged him from writing: When The Beatles ended, George released a triple album with all the songs that were “banned” by the group.
The album is called “All Things Must Pass” and was released on November 27, 1970, just seven months after The Beatles broke up.
10 – VEGETARIAN
At the age of 22, the guitarist became a vegetarian. According to his ex-wife, Pattie, from that point on he banned any kind of meat or fish from his home.
11 – THE BEST ACTOR IN THE GROUP?
According to filmmaker Richard Lester, who directed The Beatles’ first two films, “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) and “Help!” (1965), George was the best actor in the group. He even popularized a 1960s slang term by using the word “grotty” (equivalent to “grotesque”) to describe an outfit.
12 – FIRST SOLO CHART-TOPPER
Harrison was the first Beatles member to achieve a number one solo hit with the song “My Sweet Lord” in December 1970.
13 – ATTACK AT HOME
On December 30, 1999, an individual with schizophrenia broke into George Harrison’s home and attempted to kill him with a knife. At the time, Olivia, his wife, managed to protect George by confronting and attacking the intruder.
14 – THE DEATH OF GEORGE HARRISON
George Harrison passed away on November 29, 2001, at the age of 58 in Los Angeles, California. He had been battling lung cancer that had spread to his brain and liver. The news of his death prompted a wave of tributes and honors from fans and fellow musicians around the world.
Following his death, several tributes were made to Harrison, including honors from musicians such as Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and concerts held in his memory. George Harrison’s life and legacy continue to be celebrated and remembered, reflecting his significant role in the evolution of popular music.
15 – WHERE ARE GEORGE HARRISON’S ASHES?
Although it’s a lesser-known fact, this is one of the curiosities about George Harrison that can be easily guessed. Given the former Beatle’s growing involvement with Hindu philosophies, his body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in the Ganges River in India.
George Harrison, the “Quiet Beatle”, left a lasting legacy that extends beyond his contribution to The Beatles. His musical journey is marked by innovations and profound spirituality. Harrison was the first of the Beatles to explore Indian music and introduce new sounds into Western rock, influencing generations of musicians. In addition to his work with The Beatles, his solo career produced iconic albums such as “All Things Must Pass”, and his songwriting skills were evidenced by timeless hits.
Harrison was also noted for his activism and philanthropy, promoting causes such as environmental awareness and world peace. His passion for music and altruistic spirit continue to inspire and impact global culture.
Reflecting on his life and legacy, it’s clear that George Harrison was more than a talented musician; he was a true pioneer and visionary whose impact resonates to this day.