George Harrison

Lennon/McCartney in studio "left little space for George, and it became a bit frustrating," says Pattie Boyd.

By the time of their disbandment, George had succeeded in not only placing his work on a par with the greatest Lennon-McCartney compositions; he had even managed to eclipse the quality of their output. In one song after another, he contrived a series of guitar embellishments that elevated the Beatles' music at every turn. "He was so super-talented, but there was frustration because he enjoyed being in the studio with John and Paul, who were, you know, the ultimate songwriting team. In each and every instance, George created a series of guitar licks that drove Lennon-McCartney compositions into the stratosphere. George invariably "worked hard and contributed as much energy and creativity as possible." "I was actually 19, and George was 20," said Pattie, "so Brian organized everything for us." "He was so good-looking and had the most beautiful, velvety brown eyes." "He knew the menu, he knew which wines to choose," Pattie recalled, "because he was quite sophisticated. So Brian was there to sort of educate us, I suppose you could say." "He was so delicious," she recalled. And I thought, 'Oh, God, maybe he doesn't know anyone?' So I said, 'You come join us!' But that wasn't what George had in mind, so that was it." [Harrison's first wife Pattie Boyd](https://www.salon.com/2022/12/20/the-playful-beauty--and-overarching-sadness--in-pattie-boyds-life-in-pictures/), we discussed her memories of George, especially his "slow burn" as a songwriter toiling in the shadows of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Decades after releasing The Beatles' sixth album, George Harrison still cherished the songs the band produced on 'Rubber Soul.'

“I think this is possibly my favorite one on the album,” said Harrison of the song. In remembrance of past friends and lovers, Lennon began writing “In My Life.” Also on Rubber Soul, the endearing song always stuck to Harrison. “It was John (Lennon) trying to do Smokey (Robinson),” joked Harrison of the song, which later appeared on Meet the Beatles! “I’ll tell you which is a good one,” [Harrison is heard saying](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd1CDWeLV3s) before strumming right into “Every Little Thing.” It fitted and it worked.” The Beatles also performed “This Boy” during their second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, and it was a song Harrison continued to love long after its release. “I enjoyed ‘Norwegian Wood,’ because I felt where it was coming from,” Predominantly written by Lennon with contributions by McCartney, “Norwegian Wood” is drenched in Harrison’s sitar twangs. “I enjoyed the ones [songs] which were inventive, which were new.” An earlier song written by Lennon, “This Boy” was a particularly special one for Harrison. [Revolver](https://americansongwriter.com/the-beatles-revolver-to-receives-immersive-rerelease-says-giles-martin/) in 1966. Rubber Soul receded a bit from the band’s standard rock, and was more of a collective experimentation in sound from the fifth album, Help!, and earlier Beatles offerings.

George Harrison said he and Ringo Starr played their instruments similarly. Here's what the 'Something' singer said.

George already knew he wanted Ringo to play on the album. “He needs to play anyway, because he gets a bit bored just not doing anything. That’s why George and Ringo worked well together. But he just gets his sticks and he just does it, and it sounds just like Ringo.” Geoge added that Ringo needed to play on Cloud Nine because he had nothing else to do. [George Harrison](https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/george-harrison/) said his fellow Beatle [Ringo Starr](https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/ringo-starr/) played the drums like he played the guitar. “He’ll have a break every hour-and-a-half to go for a pee and have a cigarette, and then he’ll sit back down and he’ll hold it steady.” If I play a song to Ringo, I don’t need to say to him, ‘You know, I want it to go like this.’ I just play it, and he joins in. “There’s years and years in my life where I never picked the guitar up except just to make a record. They knew what they would get when they asked each other to collaborate. For my songs, he’s very good because he listens to the song once and he knows exactly what to play. [Dutch TV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaUcDaC4N0Q), George explained that his former bandmate was like himself as a musician.

25 Feb 2023 Today marks the 80th anniversary of George Harrison's birth in Liverpool, 25th February 1943. As a Beatle and a Grammy-award-winning solo artist ...

[Came The Lightening](https://www.genesis-publications.com/book/9781905662814/oliviaharrison)was released, presenting twenty poems dedicated to her late husband. [CAME THE LIGHTENING](http://www.genesis-publications.com/book/9781905662814/oliviaharrison?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023&utm_content=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023+Preview+CID_4fe0deaa2e3b2021c6a55f59aeb8bd74&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Came%20the%20Lightening), [RAGA MALA](http://www.genesis-publications.com/book/0904351467/raga-mala?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023&utm_content=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023+Preview+CID_4fe0deaa2e3b2021c6a55f59aeb8bd74&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Raga%20Mala)and [THE TRAVELING WILBURYS](http://www.genesis-publications.com/book/9781905662159/the-traveling-wilburys-limited-edition-book?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023&utm_content=George%20Harrison%20-%2080th%20Birthday%2023022023+Preview+CID_4fe0deaa2e3b2021c6a55f59aeb8bd74&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=The%20Traveling%20Wilburys)and cannot be collected on previous purchases of these books. As a Beatle and a Grammy-award-winning solo artist, his legacy lives on as one of the most beloved singer-songwriters and lead guitar players of our times.