POP & ROCK
John Wheatcroft discovers that, when it comes to guitar, the so-called quiet Beatle had plenty to say, as he explores George’s varied styles with four full-length pieces for you to learn and enjoy.
George Harrison was undoubtedly a staggering musician, guitarist and songwriter. As a member of one of the most important groups of all time, The Beatles, a driving force in the supergroup The Travelling Willburys alongside fellow legends Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty, and also as a remarkably successful solo artist, George’s career was consistently one hit after another and his ever developing but always instantly recognisable guitar style was forever to the fore.
George received his first guitar in his early teens, captivated by the sound of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and homegrown Lonnie Donnigan. Fast forward a few years and George joined a burgeoning skiffle group called The Quarrymen, fronted by none other than John Lennon and Paul McCartney. A couple of line-up changes later, with the addition of Ringo Star on drums along with a new name, The Beatles, it’s fair to say that these four lads from Liverpool literally shook the world.
After a decade or so of life at the very top, the Beatles split. The intense touring, relentless media attention and the pressure to satisfy the endless demand for new music became too much to bear. Internal pressures were further exacerbated by George’s growing compositional prowess, contributing to an understandable frustration on his part. Any other band would doubtless be thrilled to feature his songs prominently on every album release, but this band contain
