Beatles enthusiasts were taken aback by George Harrison's solo album that emerged soon after the iconic band split. Astonishment echoed through a Reddit thread as music and Beatles fans dissected Harrison's individual musical talents. Known as the "quiet one" in the band, Harrison, who was born 82 years ago on February 25, 1943, and passed away on November 29, 2001, would collaborate with legends like Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison post-Beatles.
Yet, it's his post-breakup solo ventures that have caught fans off guard the most. A Reddit user pondered: "Were people surprised when George Harrison went on to have a prolific solo career?. "Since John and Paul were the main songwriting team of the Beatles for the most part? Or was it known that George had a lot of talent but needed his own space and time to produce?".
Despite contributing classics such as Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Taxman to the Beatles' repertoire, some listeners were amazed at Harrison's ability to churn out hits consistently on his own. Admirers argue that his work on All Things Must Pass, a triple album released in 1970, stands as one of his finest achievements.
One fan expressed their amazement, saying: "When All Things Must Pass came out I think people were surprised that he could write so many great songs. Previously he had only written a few for the Beatles.". One fan took a nostalgic trip, reminiscing: "Zero surprise. I remember buying Wonderwall brand new in '68 and thought at the time that he was going to fly on his own.".
Another reflected on George Harrison's journey: "George Harrison DID have a prolific solo career, until the dark horse North American tour, at least this is how it's perceived by rock press. Harrison has [...] good work, but still, in my mind, nothing really comes close to his early 70s work.
"His reputation took a hit when his biggest solo song was judged to be plagiarism.". Harrison faced a legal battle over "My Sweet Lord", which was found by Judge Richard Owen of the United States District Court in Manhattan to have been "subconsciously" plagiarised from The Chiffons' song "He's So Fine".
Judge Owen declared: "It is clear that My Sweet Lord is the very same song as 'He's So Fine.' This is, under the law infringement of copyright and is no less so even though subconsciously accomplished.". Despite this, some argue that Harrison's solo records stand shoulder to shoulder with the works of Lennon and McCartney. Comments from fans like "His late Beatles period had equal quality to Lennon and McCartney. So if people were surprised they weren't paying attention.".
Others focus on the sheer impact of his solo material: "I think people were surprised at the volume and quality of the songs on All Things Must Pass. But I wouldn't say he had a prolific solo career.". The conversation continues with strong opinions: "That record is astonishing and by far the best Beatles solo release and one of the best albums ever. But after that, he never reached anything close to it.
"The next record was good, but then each one after was worse and worse and he quit in the early 80s. Then he put out Cloud Nine a few years later and then nothing else in his lifetime.". Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox.
