When people talk about The Beatles, the spotlight almost always falls on Lennon’s edge, McCartney’s melodies, or Ringo’s charm. But quietly, and sometimes not so much, George Harrison was out there stealing scenes, writing masterpieces, and shaping the band’s sound in ways that still echo today.
He was the underdog who slipped in some of the group’s most timeless songs, the Beatle who could be both deeply spiritual and effortlessly cool, and the one whose post-Beatles career proved he never needed the biggest mic to make the biggest impact.
From lyrics and melodies that could stop you in your tracks, here are all the moments George reminded us why, in his own understated way, he might have been the best Beatle of them all.
1
When he wrote “Something”
Frank Sinatra called it “the greatest love song of the past 50 years.”
2
Invented the idea of the rock benefit concert
The 1971 Concert for Bangladesh inspired Live Aid and countless others.
3
He nearly joined Formula 1
His love of racing was so deep he became close friends with F1 legend Jackie Stewart.
4
The only Beatle who was actually a lead guitarist
The rest could play but it was George’s intricate melodic lines that gave the Beatles some soul.
5
Owning the best sense of humor
His dry wit in interviews remains unmatched.
6
Being the first to have a solo number one
“My Sweet Lord” topped the charts before any other Beatle’s solo hit.
7
Making “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” legendary
Recruiting Clapton to play lead without bruising egos.
8
First one to ditch the “Beatlemania” persona
Grew a mustache and embraced psychedelia before the others fully committed.
9
He was never "The quiet Beatle"
A media invention. He was actually pretty talkative, just an introvert.
10
"Im leaving the band"
He walked out during "Let It Be". Because maybe sometimes all you need was to quit The Beatles for a week.
11
The Sitar revolution
Bringing Indian music to Western rock.
12
Coolest album debut
His All Things Must Pass triple album is still the most ambitious Beatles solo release.
13
Produced Monty Python films
Including Life of Brian and Time Bandits, simply because he wanted to watch them.
14
Master of restraint
Instead of overplaying, he always served the song, which made his solos timeless.
15
The slide guitar era
From “My Sweet Lord” to “Give Me Love,” his signature slide made the ’70s sweeter.
16
Survived an awful stabbing attack
In 1999 he survived and later joked about it in typical George fashion.
17
Stuck to his beliefs on credits
Insisted on songwriting rights for his contributions.
18
Always had the coolest hair
George’s hair game evolved with grace.
19
Really believed in "good vibes"
Before it became a mainstream phrase and subject. George often surrounded himself with incense, mantras, and laughter.
20
Remaining the coolest beatle in the ’90s
While others chased trends, George just gardened, wrote, and raced cars.
