Years ago, half dozen or so of us who worked together at a record store would often go for a drink – “the odd one” – after (or sometimes during) our shift.
The odd one was never one and hours would pass with the conversation equally divided between music and nonsense.
For the musical portion, The Drunken Frenchman was usually the tour guide and, nearly twenty years later, I don’t believe I’ve known another soul possessing more knowledge of rock music (or pop culture) prior to 1980.
It was an education.
And, like many folks of his age, those who had actually watched the Ed Sullivan Show performances live, The Beatles were the touchstone for almost everything that had occurred during his life. So, the discussion of favorite Beatle was a fairly regular topic.
There was no debate as far as The Drunken Frenchman was concerned.
It was The Quiet One.
Although there was a time when I would have reflexively answered “John Lennon” as my favorite of The Fabs, having heard The Frenchman offer up innumerable reasons as to why George Harrison was his guy, that’s no longer the case.
I vividly recall waking on this date eight years ago and opening the paper. George had passed away.
I immediately thought of The Frenchman. Our clan from the record store had scattered in various directions several years earlier. Had we not, we would have likely been together that night. And, as we often would do on significant dates in music history, we certainly would have hoisted a few toasts to The Quiet One.
So, today, eight years later, here are a few favorites from George Harrison…
The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
from The White Album
The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
from Abbey Road
George Harrison – All Those Years Ago
from Somewhere In England
Traveling Wilburys – Handle With Care
from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1
Barely Awake In Frog Pajamas 