The Album That Made George Harrison Think John Lennon Was Crazy

Many are unaware that George Harrison often felt like an outsider in the Beatles, as John Lennon and Paul McCartney usually dominated creative discussions and imposed their ideas on the rest. These dynamics, among other reasons, contributed to the band’s eventual breakup, with Ringo Starr being the first to leave.

However, George and Lennon found a connection through their shared experience with drugs, which became their primary bonding activity. This mutual indulgence allowed George to see Lennon in his unguarded moments, offering him deeper insight into the band frontman’s true nature.

George Harrison came to understand the complexity of John Lennon, a realization that was both shocking and eye-opening. This revelation came after the release of Lennon’s John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album in the ‘70s.

George was taken aback to learn about Lennon’s mental health struggles, issues that surfaced during their private moments of sharing acid but were laid bare in the album. The album revealed Lennon’s past traumas, insecurities, and childhood experiences. George Harrison reflected on this discovery, saying, “It wasn’t until he made that album about Janov, primal screaming, that I realised he was even more screwed up than I thought.”

By exposing his internal struggles, Lennon’s aim was to resonate more deeply with his audience and establish a stronger connection through his music.

Lennon poured his heart into songs like “Mother,” “Working Class Hero,” and “Isolation.” A careful listener could sense his deep pain woven into these tracks. Ironically, it was LSD that enabled George to see this hidden side of Lennon. Their shared drug use became a unique sanctuary, a realm away from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, where they could bond.

Paul McCartney acknowledged George’s feelings of alienation. He admitted that George was probably sidelined because he was the youngest member of the Beatles. Unfortunately, George and Lennon’s relationship deteriorated over time, further strained by Lennon’s deepening romance with Yoko Ono. Although Yoko’s presence wasn’t the sole reason for the band’s decline, it exacerbated existing tensions and instability.

Understanding the dynamics within the Beatles reveals that what appeared as superficial disagreements often masked deeper personal and psychological battles. George Harrison’s journey with the Beatles was marked by both camaraderie and alienation. His experience offers a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in collaborative creativity and the personal toll it can take.