After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
Band Introduction
George Harrison Lyrics
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The song Band Introduction by George Harrison is a short but sweet introduction of the members of his band. The lyrics reveal that the band was put together on short notice and everyone, including renowned bassist Klaus Voormann, came without any monetary compensation. Harrison takes the time to thank each individual band member by name, which emphasizes the importance he placed on their contributions. This song shows the camaraderie between the musicians who came together to perform and highlights the diverse backgrounds of the band members.
The song’s lyrics also reveal Harrison’s humility and sincere appreciation for his fellow musicians. He doesn’t boast about his own accomplishments but instead chooses to give praise and recognition to others. The line “somebody on bass who many people have heard about, but they never actually seen him, Klaus Voormann” shows that Harrison recognized the impact that Voormann had made in the music scene, even if he wasn’t as well-known as some of the other band members.
Band Introduction is a short and simple song, but it speaks volumes about the musicianship and camaraderie that existed between George Harrison and his band members. It is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create something truly special.
Line by Line Meaning
I’d like to introduce you to a few people up here.
George Harrison is about to introduce the musicians that are performing with him.
Everybody here came on very short notice and some people even, uh, cancelled a few gigs to try and make it and nobody is getting paid for anything.
The musicians have all made an effort to be at the event, even cancelling other shows. They are not being paid for their performances.
Uh. We got on drums, Ringo Starr.
Ringo Starr is playing drums for the band.
Also on drums, Jim Keltner.
Jim Keltner is also playing drums for the band.
There’s somebody on bass who’ve many people have heard about, but they never actually seen him, Klaus Voorman.
Klaus Voorman is a well-known bassist whom many people have heard of but have never seen in person.
We’ve got a whole lot of guitarists. Uh, Mister Jesse Ed Davis, an old friend of mine, Mister Eric Clapton.
The band has multiple guitarists including Jesse Ed Davis, a friend of George Harrison's, and Eric Clapton.
And then, thank you, thank you. Somebody, I’m sure you all know by now, on piano, Leon. Stand up, Leon.
Leon is playing piano and George asks him to stand up so the audience can acknowledge him.
I don’t know if they’re coming through on acoustic guitars, if you’re hearing them, but it’s, uh, an Apple band, Badfinger.
The band Badfinger may be playing acoustic guitars, but George is unsure if the audience can hear them.
And again, a whole lot of uh, singers out there. The singers, um, are all from all different parts of the world and different bands, uh.
There are many singers in the band from various parts of the world and different bands.
And just give them a big hand. I don’t know what to do.
George asks the audience to show their appreciation for the musicians, but is not sure how to properly thank them himself.
And the Hollywood horn players over there led by Jim Horn.
Jim Horn is leading the horn section, known as the Hollywood horn players.
And have we forgotten anybody? Oh, yeah? We’ve forgotten Billy Preston.
George realizes he forgot to mention that Billy Preston is also performing with the band.
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.