Known affectionately as the “Quiet Beatle,” George Harrison was a master of humor behind the scenes.
The youngest member of The Beatles wielded a distinctive, dry wit that complemented the legendary talents of his bandmates.
His screen appearances in beloved musical comedies, such as “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!”, proved that he was a comedic force to be reckoned with.
Harrison’s quick responses during the band’s chaotic press engagements only added to his reputation.
Even after The Beatles disbanded in 1970, he continued to showcase his creativity, producing the iconic Monty Python film, “The Life of Brian,” a decade later.
Harrison’s Playful Nature
Harrison’s playful nature flourished even into the later years of his life.
A particularly memorable prank aimed at Phil Collins just before Harrison’s passing in 2001 highlighted this enduring sense of humor and his delight in mischief.
The story begins in 1970, amidst the recording of his landmark solo album, *All Things Must Pass*.
While crafting “The Art of Dying,” Harrison gathered an impressive lineup of musicians.
With drumming legend Ringo Starr, keyboard virtuoso Billy Preston, and guitar icon Eric Clapton all involved, the session was produced by the infamous Phil Spector.
In search of a lively conga player, Harrison asked Ringo’s chauffeur to reach out to Collins’ manager.
At that point, Collins was just an up-and-coming talent at the age of 18, with aspirations rising alongside the band Genesis.
Eager to showcase his skills, Collins poured his heart into the rehearsals, pushing himself so hard that his hands suffered painful blood blisters.
The Hilarious Twist
As hours passed during the session, Harrison found himself entertained when the recording director prompted Collins to take the helm on the congas.
Listening in silence after turning off his microphone, he chuckled at Collins’ struggles.
Eventually, Collins was sent home, only to find out later that his contributions had been left out of the final mix.
Years later, while settling into his friend Jackie Stewart’s home, Collins learned that Harrison was working on a remix of *All Things Must Pass*.
When Stewart casually mentioned Collins’ original session participation, nostalgia mixed with disappointment swelled within Collins at the thought of being absent from the album.
Soon after, a mysterious tape slid into Collins’ hands from Harrison, accompanied by a note that posed an intriguing question: Could that outlandish performance be him? As Collins pressed play, he was greeted with a wonderfully exaggerated interpretation of the congas.
The hilarity reached its peak when Harrison’s voice chimed in at the end, jokingly suggesting they should try another take—minus the conga player, of course.
A Comic Revelation
A short while later, Stewart contacted Collins and facilitated a conversation with Harrison.
When asked about the tape, Harrison gleefully revealed that the comic twist stemmed from enlisting Ray Cooper to deliberately underperform, emphasizing that the whole thing was just meant to be a joke.
In this delightful episode, Harrison showcased not only his musical genius but also his knack for creative mischief.
It reminded everyone that laughter often springs from the most unexpected places.
His sharp wit and zest for humor continue to inspire us, proving that even amidst rock legends, joy can thrive through the power of laughter.
Source: Upworthy