Sunday October 17, 2021 “What Is Life” George Harrison
This song was reportedly written by George Harrison for Billy Preston to record but with more of a gospel feel and then George decided to rock it up a bit and record it himself. “What is Life” was produced by legendary producer Phil Spector and includes background vocals by the “Ohara-Smith Singers” who are actually Eric Clapton and keyboard player Bobby Whitlock.
When this song was released in the UK it was the “B” side, yes we’re still talking about those shiny vinyl discs, of “My Sweet Lord” which you will remember George Harrison was famously successfully (and erroneously) sued. While in the US “What Is Life” was the “A” side to “Apple Scrufs” perhaps reflecting those legal proceedings.
Here's a little tidbit to amaze your Beatle loving friends. Six months before the Beatles triumphantly arrived in NY for their Ed Sullivan Show appearances in February 1964, George Harrison made a solo trip to the US to visit his sister who was married and living in Illinois. While he was there he sat in with the “Four Vets” at the VFW hall in Eldorado, IL near the southern tip of the state.
You can only imagine the Four Vets' shock and surprise when they saw George and his three other friends on the Ed Sullivan Show creating mass hysteria just a few months later.
Stay safe and well...and while we may not be able to answer George’s question, be sure you’re always living it with those who are important to you, and the way you want to live it.