One of George’s lasting legacies must truly be his extensive song catalogue. That didn’t come easy for George as It was inevitable from the start that George would find himself creatively living in the shadow of arguably the two best songwriters in the 20th Century.
George, born in 1943, first picked up the guitar when he was 13 years old having taken inspiration from the stars at the time notably Elvis Presley. He joined the Quarrymen when he was only 15 and by June 1962, he was in the studio recording with the Beatles.
George Martin had them signed to Parlophone despite stating later that he thought their music was “rubbish”. Martin explained that, for Harrison, it was hard to be taken seriously as a writer. John and Paul had been writing vociferously for several years and, according to Harrison, had “already written most of their bad songs”. Harrison was pretty much starting from scratch and did not have the benefits that Lennon and McCartney shared in terms of their collaboration and competitiveness that contrived to refine their songs to such a high degree. Harrison was pretty much on his own and as George Martin recalled, was always up against John and Paul and often his songs were “tolerated” by being included on albums.
Harrison’s first song to find it’s way on to Beatles vinyl was “Don’t Bother Me” which George explains away as a song writing exercise. “I had to keep writing to get something good” he said. George Martin remembers that Harrison was very determined and worked hard to build his technique up. This determination paid off especially with the song “Something” with George agonising about one line in the song over a period of 6 months. Frank Sinatra only ever covered two Beatles songs, “Yesterday” and “Something”. He described” Something” as his favourite Lennon and McCartney song! George Martin described it as “one of the greatest love songs ever written.”
George Harrison’s incorporation of Indian music into the Beatles sound had a significant impact on the whole band’s musical journey and it’s influence on popular culture. Songs like Taxman, Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps stand proudly alongside Lennon and McCartney compositions.
George, a legendary guitarist later developed a love of the ukulele and it’s joyful sound. This simplest of instruments intrigued him. “Everyone I know who plays a ukulele is crackers” he joked “you can’t play one and not laugh.” Paul McCartney famously played ukulele and sang “Something” for the tribute to George concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2009.
George was renowned for his generosity and a ukulele would often be his gift of choice. Apple CEO and lifelong friend, Neil Aspinall, was given a ukulele by George after having confessed to harbouring secret song writing ambitions, no doubt inspired by the rewards he had seen that such a talent could bring.
We are honoured to have that ukulele on display at the Liverpool Beatles Museum. Happy Birthday George.
