GEORGE HARRISON In The Beatles GET BACK

Photo by Ringo Starr: “I knew it would happen one day and it looks like it did. Paul’s finally gone off his head. A real nut!”

Scanned by Doug Pratt from Ringo’s Photo Album magazine (1964). Posted here with his kind permission.

“He was like our own little Elvis … We all looked up to John. He was older and he was very much the leader; he was the quickest wit and the smartest.” (in a 1987 interview, Paul explains that the other Beatles idolised John)

geo's one (1) visual for music

December 16, 1974. An extract from John Lennon’s interview with Jim Hartz on the Today Show, NBC Television Network, NYC. Sounding generally positive towards the possibility of working again with his former bandmates, John tries to answer a question about his “celebrated” feud with Paul McCartney. (source)

“If I get… married, divorced [pause] it’s celebrated. So The Beatles had a divorce and Paul and I were always, sort of, the out front ones… and so our “celebrated” feud. You know, Lennon/McCartney was… that was… we wrote the songs… and it was bigger. And I think we were…  I put it down now to probably –  we all – actually we were all probably very nervous about suddenly being on our own, although we all really wanted to get away from each other for a bit after living in a room together for ten years.”

(I added subtitles, though I may have missed a couple of words. Enjoy.) 

"Seeing as it’s Thanksgiving, we thought we’d make tonight a bit of a joyous occasion by inviting someone up with us onto stage. And ah, I’m sure he will be no stranger to anyone in the audience when I say it’s our great privilege and your great privilege to see and hear Mr. John Lennon!" - Elton John

john lennon and elton john // november 28, 1974

madison square garden, new york city

Billy Preston and George Harrison, Dark Horse Tour, 1974; photo by and © Ron Pownall.

“We became like brothers, very close. […] [George] was a very, very loving person, a great guy. […] He had such a heart. […] He was very unaffected by the fame. He just loved God and his family and his friends.” - Billy Preston, WBUR, November 30, 2001 “[When The Beatles first met Billy Preston in Hamburg] Billy was so young George said you could hardly see his head over the Hammond organ. They had a connection — like brothers. His mother used to call George her paler son.” - Olivia Harrison, Concert for George ltd. ed. book “[Billy] used to play with George a lot in his studio at home in England and he had Billy’s [Hammond] B3. We just called it ‘Billy’s B3.’ Billy would sit and dance on that seat and on the pedals of that organ. He really did. His seat would just dance across there, he was just amazing. Such a sweet man. So gentle and what a talent. He had absolute fluidity on that organ and on any keyboard really.” - Olivia Harrison, Billboard, April 3, 2017 “[George is] a very emotional guy; he’s very spiritual and sensitive. He’s a very kind-hearted person. […] We feel like we’re together all the time, just through spirit.” - Billy Preston, Ticket To Ride: A Celebration Of The Beatles (1989) “[Billy Preston]’s a tremendous inspiration to work with.” - George Harrison, Disc & Music Echo, July 5, 1969 “Billy Preston, man — Billy Preston, I just love him. I never wanna play in another band without Billy. I mean, I hope I don’t ever have to.” - George Harrison, KLOL, November 1974

george in purple 😍

well in that case I have some great news for you john lennon

hey girl i mean jude

On January 16 1980, Paul McCartney and the Wings arrived In Tokyo for upcoming 11-dates Wings tour in Japan. Customs Officials found 219 grams (7.7 ounces) of cannabis in Paul’s luggage and arrested him.

Paul was sent to the local jail and spent 9 days there while the Japanese government decided on what to do with him. He was facing a possible seven-year sentence for smuggling if convicted.

"When the fellow pulled it out of the suitcase, he looked more embarrassed than me. I think he just wanted to put it back in and forget the whole thing, you know, but there it was. I didn’t try to hide it. I had just come from America and still had the American attitude that marijuana isn’t that bad. I didn’t realize just how strict the Japanese attitude is. I made a confession on the night I was arrested and apologized for breaking Japanese law, but they still wanted to know everything. I had to go through my whole life story—school, father’s name, income, even my medal from the Queen." Paul McCartney

While in jail, Paul was known as inmate #22 and impressed the guards with his politeness. He passed the time with exercising, talking to other prisoners and overall, Paul said he was treated well. On the sixth day, Linda was allowed to visit, giving him clothes and new books.

"It’s really very silly. People certainly are different over here. They take it so very seriously. Paul is now in some kind of detention place and I have not been allowed to see him. As soon as they get someone nice like Paul, they seem to make a field day of it! I’ll never come back to Japan again. It’s my first trip and my last!" Linda McCartney

On the eighth day, the Japanese government decided to immediately deport Paul without charges. On January 25th, Paul was released from the jail, placed in a car and was driven straight to the airport when Linda, his children and fellow Wings members were waiting for him and flew back to England.

George Harrison was the only Beatle to send a telegram to the McCartneys during the nine days:

Thinking of you with all love. Keep your spirits high. Nice to have you back home again soon. God bless. Love, George and Olivia.

According to a housekeeper of the Lennon's, John's supposed reaction was, "If he really needs weed, surely there's enough people who can carry it for him. You're a Beatle, boy, a Beatle. Your face is in every damn corner of the planet. How could you have been so stupid."

Years later, Paul has acknowledged the foolish of his decision and the challenges he faced during that period. Paul did return to Japan in 1990 for a tour without incident.