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George Harrison
The Reluctant Beatle
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George Harrison
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From the author of the million-copy selling Shout!: The Beatles in Their Generation and the bestselling John Lennon: The Life comesΒ a revealing portrait of George Harrison, the most undervalued and mysterious Beatle.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
From the author of the million-copy selling Shout!: The Beatles in Their Generation and the bestselling John Lennon: The Life comes a revealing portrait of George Harrison, the most undervalued and mysterious Beatle.
Despite being hailed as one of the best guitarists of his era, George Harrison, particularly in his early decades, battled feelings of inferiority. He was often the butt of jokes from his bandmates owing to his lower-class background and, typically, was allowed to contribute only one or two songs per Beatles album out of the dozens he wrote.
Now, acclaimed Beatles biographer Philip Norman examines Harrison through the lens of his numerous self-contradictions. Compared to songwriting luminaries John Lennon and Paul McCartney, he was considered a minor talent, yet he composed such masterpieces as βWhile My Guitar Gently Weepsβ and βHere Comes the Sunβ. His solo debut album, All Things Must Pass, achieved enormous success, appearing on many lists of the 100 best rock albums ever. Modern music critics place him in the pantheon of Sixties guitar gods alongside Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Page.
Harrison railed against the material world yet wrote the first pop song complaining about income tax. He spent years lovingly restoring his Friar Park estate as a spiritual journey but quickly mortgaged the property to help rescue a film project that would be widely banned as sacrilegious, Monty Pythonβs Life of Brian. Harrison could be fiercely jealous, but not only did he stay friends with Eric Clapton when Clapton fell in love with Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, the two men grew even closer after Clapton walked away with her.
Unprecedented in scope and filled with numerous colour photos, this rich biography captures George Harrison at his most multi-faceted: devoted friend, loyal son, master guitar-player, brilliant songwriter, cocaine addict, serial philanderer, global philanthropist, student of Indian mysticism, self-deprecating comedian and, ultimately, iconic artist and man beloved by millions.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Philip Norman's biography of George Harrison is noted for its authoritative and sympathetic portrayal, highlighting Harrison's complex personality and his often overshadowed contribution to The Beatles. The book captures the creativity, humanity, and humour of Harrison while offering a deep dive into his life, from childhood to his musical career. It stands out due to Norman's status as a respected Beatles chronicler, making it a significant contribution to the existing literature on the band.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781398513419
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 24 October 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Edition: Export/Airside
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 34.0mm
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 560
About the Author
Philip NormanΒ grew up on Ryde Pier, Isle of Wight. His bizarre childhood as the son of an unsuccessful seaside showman inspired his memoirΒ Babycham Night. Norman went on to win the Young Writer of the Year Award contest organized byΒ The Sunday Times MagazineΒ (London), where he became a star interviewer, profiling celebrities ranging from Stevie Wonder to Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi. Normanβs early career as a rock critic led to his first biography,Β Shout!, which received critical acclaim and sold more than a million copies. He is the author of numerous highly praised works, includingΒ John Lennon: The Life;Β Paul McCartney: The Life;Β Slowhand: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton;Β Rave On: The Biography of Buddy Holly;Β Wild Thing: The Short, Spellbinding Life of Jimi Hendrix; andΒ a memoir of hisΒ Sunday TimesΒ years,Β We Danced on Our Desks.
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