Chart entered : 23 January 1971
Chart peak : 1 ( in 1971 and 2002 )
Number of hits : 10
We now move into the second year of the new decade and deal with the biggest story in pop music of those early years that we've previously skirted around.
There isn't a generally agreed date on which The Beatles broke up; it tends to depend on who you want to blame. A lot of people hone in on McCartney's announcement on 10 April 1970 that he was leaving the group although in fact he was the last of the four to form any intention to quit. Ringo and George had both walked out in 1968 and 1969 and been persuaded to return and John had privately given notice in September 1969. I think McCartney's carefully chosen date of 31.1.1970 to file his lawsuit dissolving the band is as good as any.
George had been increasingly frustrated over the past few years that his rocketing development as a songwriter hadn't been adequately recognised by John and Paul and his resentment at the latter was well captured in the Let It Be film. This was also a time when the lead guitarist role was being feted as never before and while his mate Clapton was apparently God he was playing third man to a technically limited rhythm guitarist and a bass player.
So it was no surprise that George was first out of the traps after the split was officially confirmed. The Popular link is here George H , well the first of them anyway; at the time of writing Tom hasn't got round to its posthumous triumph. I'd probably give it a 7 too.
Wee bit harsh to say he played second fiddle to a "rhythm guitarist and a bassist" as McCartney was (is) a very talented all rounder, playing drums, piano and guitar (including lead on George's own "Taxman) on various Beatles tracks. It was obviously more songwriting than musical talent that put George in the shade - as the younger partner, he was forever playing catch up.
ReplyDeleteHarrison, of course, was the first Beatle to release material in his own name - "Wonderwall Music", some forgettable guff to soundtrack to a film I've never seen. It's further titular legacy in the 1990s I wish had also been consigned to history.
I was speculating on George's frame of mind while hanging round with Clapton not offering my own opinion on their respective talents.
ReplyDeleteYes a toss-up between that and "Angels" for most over-rated song of the last couple of decades.
Fair enough on the "frame of mind" point. I'm sure I read once that George Martin didn't exactly treat Harrison with the respect he probably deserved either, so it is easy to understand any feelings of under-appreciation he had.
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