George Harrison, often dubbed the “Quiet Beatle,” had a personality that was anything but quiet.
Though he was the youngest member of the legendary Beatles, he brought to the group a unique blend of dry humor and sharp wit that could rival even the most outgoing bandmates.
Harrison’s musical brilliance shone through in classic comedies like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!” Not to mention, he navigated the tumultuous world of press interactions with a remarkable level of grace.
Following the Beatles’ split in 1970, he ventured into producing, which led to his involvement in the beloved Monty Python film, “The Life of Brian,” in 1979.
The Prank Unfolds
Even during his later health struggles leading up to his death in 2001, Harrison maintained that playful spirit.
One of his most unforgettable moments came when he executed a detailed prank targeting fellow musician Phil Collins, showcasing just how far the “Here Comes the Sun” artist was willing to go for a good laugh.
In 1970, while crafting his first solo masterpiece, “All Things Must Pass,” Harrison assembled an all-star lineup to record “The Art of Dying.” This session included heavyweights like Ringo Starr on drums, the phenomenal Billy Preston on keyboards, and the iconic Eric Clapton on guitar, all with the legendary Phil Spector producing the track.
Needless to say, when the quest for a conga player began, Harrison’s team reached out to Collins’ manager.
At that time, Collins was just 18 years old, preparing to join Genesis and hadn’t yet made a name for himself as a solo artist.
The chance to play alongside two former Beatles overwhelmed Collins, motivating him to give his all during rehearsals, resulting in painfully sore hands from the intensity of his playing.
After hours of relentless music-making, Spector finally called for the conga player, only to find that Collins had inadvertently muted his microphone during the session.
The other musicians chuckled at the mix-up, but Collins, feeling exhausted, was soon told he could pack up and head home.
It was quite a shock for him later that day when he purchased the vinyl, only to be met with the disappointing realization that his contributions had been completely edited out of “The Art of Dying.”
The Revelation
Confused and disheartened, Collins initially assumed there had been some mix-up.
Fast forward about thirty years, and he found himself moving into a home once owned by Formula One legend Jackie Stewart, a close friend of Harrison’s. During a chat with Stewart, Collins learned that Harrison was working on a remix of “All Things Must Pass” for a special re-release.
Feeling a mix of curiosity and hope, Collins mentioned his previous experience in the recording session.
Just two days later, he received an unexpected package from Harrison.
Inside, there was a note that teasingly questioned whether the tape might feature his conga playing.
Eagerly, Collins pressed play on “The Art of Dying,” only to hear the poorly played congas blaring loudly.
Even more amusing was Harrison’s voice in the background, requesting another take without the conga player.
Dejected, Collins eventually received a phone call from Stewart, allowing him the chance to chat with Harrison directly.
When he brought up the tape, Harrison playfully admitted that Collins had been the target of a good-natured joke.
To his amusement, Harrison revealed that he had actually hired another conga player, specifically telling him to play poorly just for laughs.
It was all in good fun, and Harrison thought Collins would get a kick out of it.
The Joy of Music
This delightful incident in rock history highlights the joy and camaraderie that often exists among musicians.
If you’re in search of more entertaining tales from the music realm, Beastie Boys’ Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz shares an equally amusing story about “The Ring” in “Beastie Boys Story,” emphasizing how far artists will go to spread joy and laughter.
What a vibrant and lively world we inhabit! It’s filled with incredibly talented individuals who find joy not only in their craft but also in the delightful mischief they create together.
Source: Upworthy