Beatlebugsandbowieknives - Lvl 5 Beatles Flare Up

George Harrison, his father Harold, Olivia, Billy Preston, Ravi Shankar, and the whole Dark Horse Tour band visiting the White House, 13 December 1974. Photos: screenshot © Harrison Family; David Hume Kennerly; Bettmann/Corbis.

They’d been invited when George met Jack Ford backstage in Salt Lake City on 16 November 1974.

Olivia Harrison: “This is in the Oval Office with Billy Preston. President Ford’s son Jack had come to some shows and said: Why don’t you meet my dad? I was in the room, and George was telling Gerry Ford how Muhammad Ali had lifted up ‪the Beatles‬; I think he got two of them under each arm! Somehow they’d got straight into that conversation, then Ford asked him what all the badges he was wearing were and George explained that they were Krishna, Babagi [sic], and the Om sign. Then Ford went to his desk and pulled out a badge that said WIN, which meant Whip Inflation Now. So funny! I remember George wore red handmade Tibetan boots, probably the first hint of any protest about Tibet. A sly political statement.” - Olivia Harrison, Observer Monthly Magazine, June 2009

“We were taken up to into the private apartments, had lunch up there, came down and went into the Oval Office. […] There’s a photo of ‪Billy Preston‬ playing the piano in the White House. He was playing ‘God Bless America’ on the 200th or 2000th Steinway.” - George Harrison, Raga Mala

“According to the briefing paper for this visit, it was the first Presidential meeting with a member of ‪the Beatles‬. President Ford recognized not only ‪George Harrison‬’s musical ability but also his efforts to raise funds for UNICEF and various hospitals throughout the United States. (A2426-17 / National Archives Identifier ‪7839929‬)” (x)

John: Uh, this is John Lennon talking to you from the heart of the West Side of New York in an interview exclusive — full interview — with brand new New Yorker Sean Ono Lennon, spelled S-E-A-N. Okay? Now tell me Sean, what’s your first impression of New York? Sean: [Baby noises] John: I see. 

An interview John did with his son, Sean, circa 1976. The Lennon family had just gained permanent residency in New York. Sean had been born October of the year prior. I apologize for the background music - I didn’t add that. My favorite quotes/partial transcript:

John: I was wondering if the fiscal crisis of New York had any — 

Sean: [Baby noises]

John: Uh-huh, that’s the one I was talking about, yes.

Sean: [Baby noises]

John: Exactly!

[…]

John: I see you know which subjects to avoid and which not to. Very sensible. Must be running for office, is that what it is?

Sean: [Baby noises]

John: It is exciting, isn’t it? And such a strain on the - on the old ticker. [Laughs]

[…]

John: Oh, he’s smiling, folks. 

John: [Very softly] Perhaps you’d like to tell me your favorite color?

Sean: [Baby noises]   

John: That’s not good enough, I’m afraid.

Sean: [Baby noises]   

John: [Normal voice] No interesting color.

[…]

John: Will you be doing any concerts while you’re staying - while you’re here?

Sean: [Baby noises] 

John: Yes, I thought so. You haven’t got the group together. I understand completely. 

Sean: [Baby noises] 

John: Uh, I heard you were backstage at the [Bob] Dylan concert, or was that just a rumor?

Sean: [Baby noises] 

John: An outright lie? My goodness.

[…]

John: I was wondering what it’s like being the son of such astoundingly famous, beautiful, and talented parents as John and Yoko? I wonder what it’s like… 

Sean: [Baby noises]

John: Oh, I see. I mean, could you - could you give me — 

Sean: [Slight cry]

John: Ah, mhmm, yes - more full… background into that?

Sean: [Baby noises] 

John: I see you’re very fascinated by this - this black box that I’m interviewing you with - this tape recorder. In fact, it seems to inhibit you a little bit. I mean, are you conscious - or self-conscious about the tape recorder?

Sean: [Baby noises] 

John: Well, he’s turned his head away because he got very paranoid [laugh]. It’s alright, you know. Just think of it as a very dark relative.

[…]

John: Elton! What about Elton [John]? He’s your godfather!

Sean: [Fussy baby noises]

John: Do you want to tell me how it is to have such a famous godfather?

Sean: [Begins to cry]

John: Well, I know you haven’t been able to see him yet. That’s because he can’t come into the country until January!

Sean: [Continues to cry]

John: Well, let’s just get him on the phone. Get his ass over here.

Sean: [Fussy baby noises]

John: Well, I think at that point we’ve left the interviewee because he obviously was getting violent at the thought of not seeing Dean Martin and all those people in their prime, as it were.

"... I'm a troubadour, I've got my little guitar, I'm in a field and I'm writing about the stream and daffodils and the sunshine and whatever's occurring to me." - Paul McCartney, The Lyrics, 2021

George Harrison and Paul McCartney in HELP! (1965)

hi! would you share the fic where they sign and it's post julia's death?

hi! yes! The part about them signing post Julia's death is in the first chapter! I do recommend reading the full fic though as it is interesting seeing how Paul and the band navigate moving up/through the music world with Paul being deaf!

Link:

THE BEATLES Live at St. Paul's Church (1962)

ONE THING ABOUT GEORGE HARRISON IS HES GONNA DANCE WHILE PLAYING HIS GUITAR !!!

I have a lot of questions for you john

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