The Beatles members attracted a lot of attention with their matching suits, catchy melodies, and seemingly close relationship. The band consisted of four talented musicians, and each of them wanted to show off their talent. Paul McCartney and John Lennon were seen as the two primary figures of the band, and it could be said that they would, sometimes, use the advantage of their popularity against the two other members.
At least, that was how George Harrison felt as a band member. After he left the band, the musician discussed McCartney’s attitude within the band in an interview with Rolling Stone in 1979, revealing that Paul was very pushy when he wanted the band to play his songs. Harrison disclosed that they had to perform Paul’s tracks first if he wanted the singer to listen to one of his songs.
In his last days with the Beatles, Harrison’s relationship with John Lennon wasn’t the best either. When George decided to walk out the door and leave the band, Lennon reportedly suggested that they should hire Eric Clapton since he was as good as Harrison and not such a trouble. However, even with their complicated relationship, George Harrison would still name Lennon when asked who he would choose as a band member.
What Was The Reason George Harrison Preferred John Lennon?
Before their relationship got strained, George and John were good friends. The pair was very close, even alienating Paul and Ringo at one point, and it was said that they had become LSD buddies. It was reported by Uncut magazine that John’s jealousy of George’s increasing songwriting was one of the reasons why they drifted apart. In addition, Lennon’s relationship with Yoko Ono heavily impacted their relationship as well.
For the musician, however, there was nothing personal when it came to choosing John over Paul as a bandmate, which he admitted during a conference for his tour in 1974. Even though Harrison stated that there was nothing personal, it seemed like he wasn’t that impressed with Paul’s musical talent and found him too much.
Harrison disclosed that he didn’t think the Beatles were that good. The musician still appreciated Ringo’s talent as a drummer, but he wasn’t as generous when it came to addressing McCartney. He named Paul as a ‘fine’ bassist but remarked that he was a bit overpowering. On the other hand, John had been through it all and ‘come back around,’ just like himself.
The guitarist then said that he would join a band with Lennon any day, but he wouldn’t want to play alongside McCartney once again. The reason he wouldn’t join a band with Paul wasn’t personal but from a musical perspective. It was apparent that Harrison and McCartney’s relationship was still bitter.
The musician on the Beatles and why he would join a band with John Lennon:
“I don’t think the Beatles were that good. I think they’re fine, you know. Ringo’s got the best backbeat I’ve ever heard. Paul is a fine bass player, but he’s a bit overpowering at times. John’s gone through all of his scene, but he’s like me, he’s come back around.
To tell the truth, I’d join a band with John Lennon any day, but I couldn’t join a band with Paul McCartney, but it’s nothing personal. It’s just from a musical point of view.”
It seems like Harrison didn’t enjoy Paul‘s music as much as their audience did. He did remark that the reason why he wouldn’t prefer McCartney wasn’t personal but considering their complicated relationship, perhaps, it was, since he still chose Lennon while the pair also had a bitter relationship.
