George Harrison was more than just a music legend; he was a true master of humor.
Although often dubbed the “Quiet Beatle,” Harrison, the youngest member of The Beatles, had a dry wit and comedic edge that perfectly complemented his bandmates’ charisma.
His comedic talent wasn’t just limited to music; it shone brightly in classic films like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!”, and his sharp sense of humor was evident during the chaotic press conferences the band became infamous for.
After The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Harrison continued to blend music and comedy by taking on a producer role for Monty Python’s classic film “The Life of Brian” in 1979, further showcasing his creative flair.
Harrison’s Prank on Collins
Even as he faced health challenges in his later years, Harrison maintained his comedic spirit.
Just before he passed away in 2001, he whipped up an intricately crafted prank that targeted none other than Phil Collins, demonstrating his undying love for laughter and creativity.
The story of this unforgettable prank dates back to the year 1970, during the recording of Harrison’s critically acclaimed solo album “All Things Must Pass.” The track “The Art of Dying” was being developed with an impressive lineup of musicians: Ringo Starr on drums, the talented Billy Preston on keyboards, and the iconic Eric Clapton on guitar.
The session was under the watchful eye of the notorious Phil Spector, who was known for his distinct production style.
The Recording Session
Ringo’s chauffeur was tasked with finding a conga player for the session, which led to a call placed to Collins’ manager.
At the time, Collins was a budding musician on the verge of joining Genesis, a move that would soon catapult him to international stardom.
The young, enthusiastic Collins was thrilled to work with two ex-Beatles, throwing himself into the rehearsals so passionately that he ended up with blisters on his hands.
As the hours of hard work rolled on, Spector turned his focus back to the congas, leading to a light-hearted moment when Collins, who had set his mic aside for a break, became the subject of good-natured laughter.
Soon after, Collins was informed that his session had come to a close, allowing him to leave.
But a few months later, he experienced a crushing disappointment when he spotted the expansive triple album in a record store, only to discover that his contributions had been completely omitted from the final cut.
Time went on, and fate smiled upon Collins when he purchased a home from Jackie Stewart, a good friend of Harrison.
During their chat, Stewart casually mentioned that Harrison was in the process of remixing “All Things Must Pass” for a reissue.
Collins’ curiosity piqued, he couldn’t help but wonder if his part would be included this time around.
The Cheeky Revelation
Just two days later, Collins received a tape from Harrison, complete with a cheeky note asking if he recognized the recording.
Eagerly, he played the tape, only to realize with rising dismay that the conga part was loud and completely out of tune.
The kicker came at the end of the track, where Harrison cheekily suggested they try the session again—without the conga player.
Collins was left feeling utterly deflated.
Not long after this amusing revelation, Stewart put Collins in touch with Harrison over the phone, allowing the truth to be shared directly.
Harrison delightfully unraveled the whole setup, revealing that he had asked another conga player to deliberately perform poorly just to get a rise out of Collins.
This charming anecdote captures the joy and camaraderie that often exists in the music industry, reminding us that humor is just as essential as the melodies we cherish.
For those looking for more tales of rock and roll mischief, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz’s recounting of “The Ring” in “Beastie Boys Story” is a fantastic exploration of how creativity and humor intertwine in the pursuit of fun.
Source: Upworthy