The Beatles: No George Harrison?

[Romantic Nihilist]

How different would The Beatles be if George Harrison hadn't joined the band? Let's say he walks out or that they won't allow him to join in the first place. Who would join instead?

How would this affect the band?

Bonus points if George's route to musical stardom (if any) is detailed.

 

[Glass Onion]

If you want the Beatles without George Harrison, you probably need to have Paul and George have a falling out in the fifties. Paul wanted him in the nascent group he was in with John, and you absolutely cannot have Lennon and McCartney have a falling out, as they very well could.

This opens a hell of a lot of butterflies. But had McCartney never extended an invitation for George to join the Quarrymen, I do not think there was anyone waiting in the wings to play guitar, especially as both Lennon and McCartney played the instrument. During their earliest period they needed a bassist and a drummer, not an extra guitarist. George was a convienent addition, but they would not go out of their way to find someone else. The group's final form may well be something of a glorified duo, if they make it at all, what with butterflies and all.

 

[Emperor Norton I]

So Glass Onion, are you proposing Lennon and McCartney as a British Art and Garfunkel?

 

[Glass Onion]

So Glass Onion, are you proposing Lennon and McCartney as a British Art and Garfunkel?

Well, they need a drummer, which is why I said "glorified." I am picturing something like Lennon, McCartney, and a drummer who doesn't write. I do not know who would end up being the group guitarist on stage here. Or whether the argument over that will not drive a fatal wedge into the mixture. If their drummer does not sing, ie, he is not Richard Starkey, they'd be a rock and roll duo in all but name. Even if we imagine ultimate convergence, it basically in practice ends up that way, as Ringo did not write until 1968-1969, and part of that was with Harrison's help. It would be Lennon and McCartney, the band. There would not be anyone else with his own artistic vision on board.

 

[Romantic Nihilist]

In the long run would this benefit The Beatles, Mr Harrison and music as a whole?

 

[cortz#9]

I think it's possible that McCartnety becomes lead guitarist and they just pick up someone to play bass.
Who that someone would be I don't know.
Its also possible that Lennon and McCartney would share lead guitar duties but the band would be noticeably different and not for the better in my opinion.

 

[Romantic Nihilist]

I doubt they'd find someone with the bass ability of Paul... could Stuart Sutcliffe stay on? If he avoids the head injury that caused his aneurysm, could he stay on as their permanent bassist?

 

[phx1138]

are you proposing Lennon and McCartney as a British [Simon] and Garfunkel?

This is a really, really interesting outcome. (I'm not seeing The Beatles as a name, somehow...)

I also really like the idea of The Beatles as a trio. Who says you need another guitar?

OTOH, tho, what about adding keyboard?

(Corrected, btw. I know you meant Simon. {Not this Simon. Or this Simon. Or even this Simon.})

 

[cortz#9]

I doubt they'd find someone with the bass ability of Paul... could Stuart Sutcliffe stay on? If he avoids the head injury that caused his aneurysm, could he stay on as their permanent bassist?

I agree they would probably end with an inferior bassist and no I don't think Sutcliffe would stay on as he really wanted to be an artist (plus he wasn't very good).

 

[ColeMercury]

You know, for all the "George or nobody!" talk here, it's perfectly possible that the Quarrymen could recruit someone of equal talent.

 

[cortz#9]

You know, for all the "George or nobody!" talk here, it's perfectly possible that the Quarrymen could recruit someone of equal talent.

Also a possibility. I based my Idea of Paul as lead guitarist on a statement he once made in the past of being "Blown out on lead".

 

[Romantic Nihilist]

You know, for all the "George or nobody!" talk here, it's perfectly possible that the Quarrymen could recruit someone of equal talent.

Who could they call upon?

 

[ColeMercury]

Who could they call upon?

Who knows? A shitload of people played with the Quarrymen. Any number of potential superstars may have been passed over by chance.

Although I do consider it likely that Paul McCartney stays as lead guitar and someone else becomes bassist.

 

[cortz#9]

Who could they call upon?

Some local Liverpudlian. Not necessarily someone famous from OTL or maybe someone from the Dave Clark five or Rory Storm and the Hurricanes who were also Liverpool bands. Sorry I don't know the names of their respective guitarists but I'm not a fan of those bands.

 

[Andrew T]

We need to figure out some way to get John & Paul to Surrey in 1960, where a then-15-year-old Eric Clapton is turning heads as a street performer....

 

[Romantic Nihilist]

Hmm what about George in all of this? I know this seems ASB but I have a sneaking suspicion he could end up in The Yardbirds...

 

[rjrrzube]

How about they continue as a duo with guests until they make it to Hamburg - then Klaus Voorman becomes bassist?

 

[Romantic Nihilist]

How about they continue as a duo with guests until they make it to Hamburg - then Klaus Voorman becomes bassist?

Good answer!

 

[Klusterbuck]

Hmmm... John Paul Jones as bassist, and Harrison ends up in Zeppelin???

 

[Glass Onion]

How about they continue as a duo with guests until they make it to Hamburg - then Klaus Voorman becomes bassist?

Well, that actually might work well. Stu was still in the band at the time they first went to Hamburg, and McCartney if I remember correctly, taught Voremann Bass at just the time he was on his way out of the band. If McCartney really wants the lead guitar, and Stu wants to leave and is willing to convince Lennon to let Klaus take his place, and if Klaus is ready for it in time, then that might well happen.