Ticket 2 Ride

“The economy-class Beatle” was how George Harrison referred to himself in the early years. John and Paul got the spotlight, while George looked for his own opportunities, and doing his own thing. George wasn’t after the attention, just peace of mind, and to follow his own path. Despite whatever he might accomplish in life, news of his passing would begin as “Ex-Beatle George Harrison died today…”

Being a Beatle was a mixed bag. Privacy evaded George, particularly when was at his most vulnerable and seeking refuge. Despite exotic getaways in Hawaii and Australia, and his gated retreat at Friar Park, peace was difficult to find. Attacked by a stranger with a knife at Friar Park nearing ended George’s life.

However, George knew the doors opened and opportunity that came with having been a Beatle and it is said that he knew when to play that card. A Beatle moves to the front of the line and comes in handy when one wants to misbehave.

George Harrison, The Reluctant Beatle, is a new biography by Philip Norman (Scribner, 2023). An even better biography is George Harrison, Behind the Locked Door by Graeme Thomson (2015, Omnibus Press). Both books are very matter-of-fact about George’s life, but hardly sensational. George was a complicated man, those closest to him understood the complexity, and the depth of the man. Then, there is George’s own I, Me, Mine (1980), not exactly his memoirs, rather his thoughts on his music and life.

George was a self-effacing, brutally honest person, and a series of contradictions. Deeply spiritual and virtuous, he used drugs and had marital affairs. A generous and charitable man, he owned numerous luxurious properties and bought expensive sports cars. A man of great wit and deep thoughts, his comments could be sharp and dismissive. Even Ringo noticed he had two personalities. “He the love – bag of beads personality – and the bag of anger.” George Harrison never claimed to be a saint, his flaws and failings were sometimes large and in public view, a difficult thing for a very private man.

John Lennon said of George: “George himself is no mystery, but the mystery inside George is immense.”

George thru the years.

With the release of “Now and Then”, George is back for a visit, courtesy of his work in 1995 and with the use of AI. George can be seen with his younger self.