As the 1970s came to a close, punk rock was in dire need of making a significant impact. There were these former rock stars, struggling to stay current, yet no one was addressing the current street scene. Although The Clash and Sex Pistols successfully revived the essence of rock and roll, George Harrison held a different perspective. He did not appreciate either of them.
The presence of The Beatles was undeniably influential in the emergence of punk music. It’s quite surprising to hear this from the band that also produced songs like ‘Eleanor Rigby‘. However, it’s important to consider their early days in the Liverpool club scene and their time in Hamburg.
When tackling rock and roll classics, they had a knack for performing the songs in a raw and unpolished manner. They relied on their attitude and charisma to convey their message. John Lennon himself expressed great admiration for bands such as Sex Pistols. He noted how their music resonated with his own experiences performing in clubs during the early 1960s.
After Harrison departed from The Beatles in the 1970s, he had completely moved on from that genre of music. He had completely embraced a new musical style that perfectly matched his state of mind. His songs blended elements of pop, country, and the captivating rock influences he discovered through Ravi Shankar.
In contrast to punk’s emergence in the late 1970s, George Harrison was enjoying a lifestyle that would make any rock star envious. He resided in the luxurious Friar Park, where he spent as much time tending to his garden as he did strumming his guitar. Engrossed in his own affairs, he suddenly became aware of the commotion caused by the intruders. Initially dismissing it as mere cacophony and chaos.
When questioned about the rise of punk acts, Harrison expressed his opinion that much of it was a departure from traditional music. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, “I believe punk was primarily focused on embracing negativity rather than creating something new.” The classic rock & roll vocalists delivered exceptional performances. They boasted exceptional drummers and outstanding sax players. In terms of musicianship, the punk bands left much to be desired – lacking finesse in their drumming and instead producing a cacophony of noise.
Considering the type of records he was producing, Harrison seemed to have little interest in punk. At the time he gave that interview, he was about to release his self-titled album. The album features elements of yacht rock, particularly in songs like ‘Blow Away‘ and ‘Faster‘.
However, it seems that the former Beatle may have underestimated the genre a bit. What set John Lydon’s sounds apart from the brashness of rock and roll legends like Little Richard, who greatly influenced Harrison? And ever since, the widespread influence of punk has demonstrated that Harrison’s initial judgment may have been off the mark. This music expressed a rebellious spirit, and if it happened to upset older individuals, that was their concern to deal with.
