Being knighted is a status and prestige many may strive for, but few attain, requiring only the most determined of persons to attain such status. Among its roster include The Beatles, but was George Harrison one of the knighted?
George Harrison was The Beatles’ songwriter, lead guitarist, and producer, but he was not one of two people knighted in the group. This was because he rejected an OBE offered to him, as he felt that he had deserved more. Additionally, the rules require the recipient to be alive to receive the honor.
Who is George Harrison?
George Harrison was born in Liverpool in 1943. He was the lead guitarist, songwriter, and producer for the rock band, The Beatles. He released numerous songs, including: “Within You Without You”, “Taxman”, “While My Guitar Weeps”, and some others, although we should remember that most of the songs played by the Beatles were usually done by the likes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Paul McCartney wrote 32 of the band’s hit songs, while John Lennon wrote 26 with 23 co-written.
Unlike John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George Harrison had to formally audition to become a part of The Quarrymen, which was the name of the group before it became known as The Beatles. After an impressive performance playing the lead guitarist for the instrumental Raunchy, he was officially accepted into the group.
George Harrison’s Life in The Beatles
Eventually, the group officially took up the name The Beatles, and after an effective show of management by Brian Epstein, they had a polished image and a contract with EMI. They combined both assets, and the group made their first single, “Love Me Do”.
This gave them some popularity and, utilizing its success, debuted their song “Please Please Me”, which shot them into the limelight, bringing them fame. George Harrison, though considerably passive during his career with The Beatles, was a very effective player in the overall success of the rock band.
He led The Beatles into the production of folk-rock music due to his knowledge and interest in soul music, and thus his interest in the non-western instrument grew.
In 1968, he recorded his song “The Inner Light”, which was the first Harrison composition to appear as a Beatles single. The song was inspired by his deepening love for Hinduism and meditation.
Around that same year, he was said to be greatly influenced by the likes of Dylan and the Band, and seeing their style and approach to music-making alongside other factors made him consider being independent of the Beatles. Following the tensions that happened in 1969 at Twickenham Studios, coupled with other issues, he came to the decision to quit the band.
