If George Was Too Young For the Beatles - What Would Have Happened To George?

[Paperback Writer]

As we all know, George was the youngest Beatle and in the early days, the Beatles needed to "fudge" his age to get him in some clubs, gigs and contracts.

What if he wasn't given this chance and he had to wait a couple more years to play in a band - what would he have done?

A. Kept playing guitar, moved to London and joined the Rolling Stones or other great London band.

B. Started his own Liverpool band and had success in the subsequent "Brittish Invasion" bands.

C. Become a studio musician, eventually excelling enought to play in US with major record labels on records with bands like the Beach Boys, Lovin Spoonful and Byrds.

D. Be discovered by Apple Records as a solo artist and signed before James Taylor.

E. Toiled in factories for a living and put away his guitar for a pint bottle.

F. Other?

[mervap]

My money would be on "B"...he was good enough to be a Beatle, so why not some other group? He may not have been a household name, but I'm sure he'd have been ok with that.

[mi]

I'd have to go with "E"... don't think George had enough self confidence to start his own band or become a musician on his own - he was the kind of person who had to be pushed forward to discover his talent. Having John and Paul at his side urged him to do that, I think. "A" would be an option too, I guess.  Though I can't really see that happening - without George, it wouldn't really have been the Beatles, would it?

[lampie1970]

without George, it wouldn't really have been the Beatles, would it?

I agree with this 100%..i truly believe that the odds of four people coming together at the right time, meeting the right people, taking the right chances, and bringing what talent they had to the table, whether it be considered the best anything or just mediocre, had never happened before and will never happen again. These boys were special...so special...there were so many "turned the other corner" moments in their careers and yet they turned the right ones time and time again...unfathomable, and unmistakable as one of the most exciting times in history.

now, to answer the question: George was a great musician even as a young teenager and he loved it, he loved making music. He would have been doing it one way or the other. Not as a front man, i am sure, but he would have been doing it, whatever it took.

[Paperback Writer]

WoW, this is tough, interesting answers!

I'll go:"C"

  Due to his age, quiet nature, he would have missed the British Invasion, but would eventualy play back-up and studio gigs in England.  The work would have taken him to the studios in the US and he would have thrived in the variety of music available - as he did in the States at the end of his Beatles run.
He may have ended up in Dylan's (The) "Band."

[MeanMrMustard]

great question, Paperback!

I gravitate more to B (I definitely see him as Lead guitarist of another first wave Brit Invasion band. Although as a caveat, I think because of his early quiet nature, I can't really see him as the guitar-less lead singer(a la Mick Jagger-ever the extrovert), but definitely can see Hari as the focused-driving force behind this fictitious Liverpool or London-based pop group) Merv made an excellent point that I totally concur with, that if George was good enough for the Fab itself, he certainly would've been top-notch for any other first tier English outfit that inundated the AM radio dial circa 1964-66) ^5

hmmmm...I wonder what George's "band" might've been called?...possibilities are endless!!

(*also, it would be equally as intriguing WHO would've stood in George's place in The Fab...Clapton? (probably not, he's the quintessential blues purist and would have ultimately been at odds w/ the early Motown influences of Lennon/McCartney) Same could be said of the brilliant Brian Jones, so he probably wouldnt be in the running either. Two possible candidates come to mind for me : Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Although these two great Yardbirds alumnis primarily chose blues-oriented paths ultimately, they were both formerly great session men on a plethora of eclectic projects (as varied as Donovan) so I see both these guys as possible George "substitutes" in our fictional scenario)

thanks, great thread.


-MMM

[mervap]

also, it would be equally as intriguing WHO would've stood in George's place in The Fab...Clapton?

That's another great point...I think that George's 'replacement' would likely have come from Liverpool, as did the rest of the Lads. They had not been to London as a band yet when George joined...so we must think: Who else in Liverpool had some lead guitar chops? Mike Pender was a nice player in the Searchers and could sing quite well. Early on, he also had a kinda shy demeanor, I understand, and might have fit snugly.

[MeanMrMustard]

I think that George's 'replacement' would likely have come from Liverpool, as did the rest of the Lads. They had not been to London as a band yet when George joined...so we must think: Who else in Liverpool had some lead guitar chops? Mike Pender was a nice player in the Searchers and could sing quite well. Early on, he also had a kinda shy demeanor, I understand, and might have fit snugly.

yes, you're right about Liverpool. I stand corrected. The possible candidate "pool" (lol, no pun) would've no doubt (on second thought) been drawn from their home turf exclusively, since our boys were unknown at this point and had little resourses or recourse than to chose from their local community (and ripe it was with potential guitarists !)Your point is better Merv, thanks  (I think I was just getting a little ahead of myself w/ possible "dream" choices instead of more down-to-earth sensible candidates they had actual access to ...!!) Yeah, the Searcher's guitarist is one excellent case in point. The Searchers (as well the Pacemakers) had that definite "Liverpudlian" sound we've all come to love. Good one.

(ps: speaking of the Searchers, besides "Needles and Pins", you've GOT to hear "Every Time You Walk In To The Room"...god, what a great tune ! --the guitars are soooo "Beatle-esque!!!"

-MMM

[mervap]

I have a greatest hits CD of theirs with that on it and you're absolutely right...."ETYWITR" is great, as are most of the rest of the songs.

[MeanMrMustard]

I have a greatest hits CD of theirs with that on it and you're absolutely right...."ETYWITR" is great, as are most of the rest of the songs.

I think I'm addicted to that song now LOL. Funny I never remembered it from my youth--dont think it got enough air play in U.S.

it's SO great to "re"-discover old stuff you might've overlooked when they first appeared.

(also, I just heard an old Lulu remake of the Isley's "Shout". It's NOT bad !!! of course, the orig is better (and the Beatles cover too) but I think she pretty much nailed it on her version on her version as well)

[mervap]

Another fine choice might have been Colin Manley who was in the Remo Four. The Beatles were also fans of the group and, lest we forget, that's how they snatched Ringo from the Hurricanes.

[MeanMrMustard]

*ruminates*

ahhhhhh....wonder if poor George himself is looking down on this thread from Paradise and saying "but I WAS in the Beatles!!!! so there!! and Hari Khrisna to you all!!

(to George : we love ya dude, NO WORRIES!!....it's just innocent conjecture (*holds* up All Things Must Pass to prove undying Harrison-allegiance)

 

[mervap]

wonder if poor George himself is looking down on this thread from Paradise and saying "but I WAS in the Beatles!!!!

Very true...the group would not have been the same without Hari Georgeson...he was a vital element in all the Lad's work.

[Paperback Writer]

.....then again......Macca would have  taken "lead" and another chap would strap on the bass......ah well, it turned out so incredible!

Great thoughts and ideas.  Yeah, the Searchers were "boss" - Tom Petty salutes them a lot.   Then again, if Tom were older, was born in Liverpool..........

[Roger SB]

i've never heard of some of those guys. i should really start paying attention here! i think George was too big of a talent to have gone away. he would have been in another band.