George Harrison isn’t always the first name people mention when discussing the top guitarists. Though his talents are certainly well recognized, his legacy lies more in his songwriting and his time as a member of the biggest band on earth. However, his fans never fail to mention Harrison’s guitar chops. He’s more than worth their hype. Because of that, we feel inclined to listen to his opinion on his fellow musicians. Check out Harrison’s favorite guitarists, below.
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Carl Perkins
“If it hadn’t have been for your daddy, I never would have picked up a guitar,” Harrison reportedly said to Stan Perkins at his father’s funeral. That alone should tell you how highly the late Beatle revered Perkins. But, his playing was also indicative of that reverence. It’s no secret that the Beatles were inspired by American rock trailblazers. Perkins is one of many on the Fab Four’s list of inspirations, but with this quote in mind, he might just take the top spot–at least in Harrison’s book.
Well I’m sitting here wondering, will a matchbox hold my clothes
Yeah I’m sitting here wondering, will a matchbox hold my clothes
I ain’t got no matches, but I got a long way to go
I’m an ol’ poor boy and a long way from home
I’m an ol’ poor boy and a long way from home
Guess I’ll never be happy, eveything I do is wrong
Eric Clapton
Though their relationship would later be somewhat sullied by a mutual love interest, Harrison admired Eric Clapton–and vice versa. Given that Harrison once tapped Clapton to play on a Beatles song, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he would end up on this list. Moreover, Clapton would likely end up on many people’s “best guitarists list.” His prowess is undeniable. Check out his chops on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” below.
[RELATED: Beatles, Berry, and Beach Boys: The Fab Four Track Inspired by Two Iconic American Acts]
I look at you all
See the love there that’s sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor
And I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
Chuck Berry
All of the Beatles were inspired by Chuck Berry. His unique style of bluesy rock was an inciting incident in the Fab Four’s story. There would likely be no Beatles without Berry. As such, he earns a spot on this list as one of Harrison’s favorite guitarists. Revisit Berry’s era-defining playing, below.
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin’ a bell
(Photo by Bettman/Getty Images)
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