George Harrison After the Beatles: His Solo Career and Contributions
When the legendary band, The Beatles, disbanded in 1970, George Harrison, one of the most iconic members of the group, embarked on a journey that had a profound impact on the music industry and philanthropy. Although his biggest and most successful period as a solo artist came early in his career after The Beatles, Harrison's influence and contributions extended well beyond the music scene. This article delves into his post-Beatles activities, his role in the benefit concert for Bangladesh, and his involvement with the supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys.
Post-Breakup Activity: Recording and Trauma
Following the breakup of The Beatles, George Harrison devoted a significant amount of time to the recording of his solo album, All Things Must Pass. During this time, he was also facing personal traumas as his mother, Louise, was battling ill health and passed away shortly after The Beatles split. Despite these challenges, Harrison emerged as a prolific songwriter and producer, resulting in one of the most critically acclaimed and successful solo albums in rock history.
Achieving a Worldwide Hit
During the recording of All Things Must Pass and in the year 1971, Harrison's solo career reached its zenith. One of the standout tracks on the album was My Sweet Lord, which catapulted him to international fame. This song not only marked Harrison's first No. 1 hit as a solo artist but also solidified his status as one of the biggest rock stars in the world. On January 16, 1971, Harrison became the first ex-Beatle to top the charts with his first solo single, thus cementing his solo success.
Breaks and Arguments
Throughout his post-Beatles recording process, Harrison experienced a few brief breaks from the studio. When working on the Let It Be recording sessions, he left the studio for five days. These breaks were not without their reasons, often due to personal issues, such as conflicts with other members of The Beatles. After a few days, John Lennon and Paul McCartney reengaged in talks with George, addressing their issues and ultimately deciding to relocate the recording to Apple Studios. The decision to prepare for a movie rather than a TV special led to George's return to the studio.
Post-Beatles Success and Setbacks
Among Harrison's post-Beatles studio output, All Things Must Pass was a massive commercial and critical success. However, his rise to solo stardom was not without challenges. Harrison's 1973 lawsuit over copyright claims related to the song My Sweet Lord (which was suspected to be too similar to He's So Fine) had a significant impact on his confidence. Despite this setback, Harrison did not let his success diminish and continued to produce and tour, including high-profile shows such as a concert for the people of Bangladesh.
Promoting Peace and Tackling Poverty
In addition to his music career, George Harrison's philanthropic efforts were notable. One of his greatest contributions was organizing the first Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, which was a groundbreaking event. The concert, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featured performances by top musicians of the time and served as a fundraiser for the survival of Bangladesh, a nation newly independent from Pakistan. This musical event proved pivotal in establishing the viability of benefit concerts and is widely remembered as a landmark moment in concert history.
The Traveling Wilburys: A Musical Side Project
Beyond his solo work and benefit concert, Harrison was also part of the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, which he co-founded alongside Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne of ELO, and Tom Petty. Known for their distinctive blend of rock and country music styles, The Traveling Wilburys produced their debut album, The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, in 1988, which was well received by both critics and fans. This collaboration demonstrated Harrison's versatility and his enduring influence in the music industry long after The Beatles disbanded.
George Harrison's post-Beatles career remains an inspirational tale of resilience, philanthropy, and musical genius. His contributions to music and humanitarian causes continue to resonate with audiences to this day.