George Remembered

[selenak]

It's nine years this day since George Harrison died, so, in the spirit of celebrating his life, some clips to demonstrate his fabulousness. Hopefully also including stuff you're not so familiar with.

Comments

[selenak]

Paul Simon often looks that way, bless him. Art's shirt is only possible in the 70s. :) BTW, kathyh reminded me that Andy Williams and Claudine Longet were divorced (and she'd been on trial for murder), so clearly whoever chose the lot of them as presenters was hoping for brawls that did not happen. We concluded the planning stage probably was like this:

Producer 1: so, the Grammys this year. Man, we need more viewers. Any ideas?
Producer 2: I think we could get John Lennon to present one of the awards. He's a househusband now and needs the money. And Paul Simon is a bit short of cash as well, one hears.

Producer 1: So?

Producer 2: *ominously* His name is Paul.

Producer 1: *doubtful* I don't think that's enough for Lennon to entertain everyone by going off the rails.

Producer 2: Well, there's always the chance Olivia Newton-John wins, in which case Art Garfunkel will pick up the award for her. If there's a Simon and Garfunkel stage brawl, I'm sure Lennon will join! Have you ever heard of a fight Mr. Give-Peace-a-Chance stayed away from?

Producer 1: You have a point. Let's do it! And just to make it extra awkward we'll have Andy Williams in there too and make references to his ex-wife Claudine.

Producer 2: *high five*

[airie_fairy]

"Have you ever heard of a fight Mr. Give-Peace-a-Chance stayed away from?"

XD

All I know about Claudine Longet are her version of God Only Knows, that conversation about her on Gilmore Girls that went "The chick who shot the skiier?"/"...?"/"Man, Renaissance woman!", and the fact that she was really adorable with Peter Sellers in The Party.

[selenak]

Well, it's true. :) (He'd be the last to deny it.)

I only know what kathyh told me about Claudine Longet, so you know more than I. But! I found a transcript of the 2001 George webchat I mentioned to you a while ago, you know, the one where one of the posters tries to bait him about Paul and he deflects it beautifully:

spongeweed70508 asks: Does Paul still piss you off (tell us the truth)
george_harrison_live: Scan not a friend with a microscopic glass -- You know his faults -- Then let his foibles pass.
george_harrison_live:Old Victorian Proverb.
george_harrison_live: I'm sure there's enough about me that pisses him off, but i think we have now grown old enough to realize
george_harrison_live: that we're both pretty damn cute!

The entire transcript is here. He's very endearing throughout, complete with gardening tips and confessing he named his gnomes after the four of them.

[airie_fairy]

Ooh, yay! Thank you!

Oh garden gnomes, is there any way to make you not hilarious? I don't think so.

[selenak]

Potentially Stephen Moffat could have a go and the garden gnomes next (what, he's already done his bit for statues and libraries!) and make them scary, but other than that...

Also I want a photo of George's gnomes and want to know whom he identified with whom!

[airie_fairy]

I feel like that episode might fall short of its scary intentions. Can you imagine Ominous Lingering Silent Close-ups of little gnomes in their colorful hats?

[selenak]

You're just trying to rob me of the Moffat gnome episode which I now decided I want. Also I want the gnomes to look like the Beatles, because if in the 60s merchandising missed out on that one, I'll be damned.

Meanwhile, I found the photo I mentioned a few days ago of Paul and Linda in hilariously bad wig disguise attending George's 1974 concert at Madison Square Garden. The guy next to Paul is Linda's brother, John Eastman:

[airie_fairy]

"You're just trying to rob me of the Moffat gnome episode which I now decided I want."

XD

Omg lol fake mustache. But that's sweet that they would go to those lengths for a friend's concert.

[selenak]

I tell you, the Moff and gnomes are made for each other. Amy would love a gnome encounter as well.

The fake moustache is even more lol worthy than his actual attempts. (Paul can carry off a full beard as in Let it Be, but not a moustache. The one from Pepper looks as if someone had painted it on him!) And the wigs, the wigs. But yes. It is sweet. Also sensible. That photo was made by Linda's pal Danny Fields; the press and the fans didn't get wind of them being there at the time, George could have his concert without feeling disrupted by fans wondering whether the fact Paul attended could hint at a Beatles reunion, and still find out later backstage Paul wanted to see the concert. (Must have been especially soothing because this was the very concert after which they were supposed to sign the final dissolution business papers and John locked himself in the bedroom instead.)