Throwback Thursday: George Harrison

For this week’s Throwback Thursday we’re playing a set from George Harrison as today marks 11 years since his death.

If you’re a WERS fan, chances are you’re already pretty well aware of George Harrison.  Lead guitarist for The Beatles and an iconic solo artist in his own right, there’s a special corner of the musical pantheon reserved for George.  Widely known as the “quiet Beatle,” Harrison tended to be the most spiritual, introspective, and to many, the most mysterious of the four.  It is he who is typically credited with introducing the other members to the different world musics and mysticisms that populated the latter half of the band’s catalog.  As a solo artist perhaps his most lasting contribution was (with Ravi Shankar) 1971′s Concert For Bangladesh, which today is pointed to as the first massive benefit show, not to mention a great global moment on its own.

But you probably already knew that, right?  Let’s start an argument – comment with your favorite Harrison songs (could be a Harrison composition or just one with an awesome guitar part, solo or Beatles) below.  For the record, mine are probably “Taxman” (But I’m a sucker for all of Revolver), his version of “If Not For You” (one of the few cases that I prefer a cover to the Dylan original), and “Something.”  Oh, “Within You Without You” should be there.  And “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”  ”Bangla Desh?”  Yeah, “Bangla Desh.”  Didn’t even mention “My Sweet Lord” yet… this is hard… your turn!

With a musician this iconic it’s always really interesting to see what they mean to different people, so feel free to add your favorite Harrison memories as well and tune in at 5pm today to reflect on one of the monoliths of popular music.

By Bentley J. Holt

If you liked this, check out:
Throwback Thursday: Arlo Guthrie
This Week in Music History