George Harrison’s solo career produced one of the most successful albums from any ex-Beatle, All Things Must Pass. However, he failed to reach that same level of success in his subsequent work. That’s not to say he didn’t have several gems left in him. Living in the Material World produced many timeless Harrison tracks. “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” proved to be one of Harrison’s calling cards. The effort becomes even more impressive when you learn of the nightmare working conditions he made this album. Learn more about the producer that nearly ruined Harrison’s solo career, below.
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The Producer Behind George Harrison’s ‘Living in the Material World’
Give me love, give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light, give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope, help me cope
With this heavy load
Trying to touch and reach you with
Heart and soul
Living in the Material World was the follow-up to All Things Must Pass. Harrison took a unique approach to this album, opting for something completely different in tone instead of trying to capitalize on past successes.
He once again tapped Phil Spector to produce this album, hoping he could apply the same magic to this effort. Spector was a highly sought-after producer, known for collaborating with the Beatles and the individual members in their solo careers. Unfortunately, Spector was battling alcoholism amid his production duties on Living in the Material World. He was so absent from the studio time that he barely warrants the title of “producer.”
“I Needed Somebody To Help”
“Phil couldn’t last in the studio for more than a few hours…[He] kept falling over and breaking his ankles, wrists,” Harrison once said. “The guy who was his helper was having heart attacks. [He] was never there. I literally used to have to go and break into the hotel to get him. Then he used to have 18 cherry brandies before he could get himself down to the studio. I got so tired of that because I needed somebody to help. I was ending up with more work than if I’d just been doing it on my own.”
Nevertheless, Living in the Material World did prove to be successful, but it was largely the last album that made waves for Harrison in his career. If Spector hadn’t ultimately pulled through on this album, Harrison’s career might have never survived past it. Revisit “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)”, below.
Give me love, give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light, give me life
Keep me free from birth
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope, help me cope
With this heavy load
Trying to touch and reach you with
Heart and soul
(Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty Images)
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