All Those Years Ago

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy pals at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the sweet sounds of George Harrison’s “All Those Years Ago” from his 1981 album Somewhere in England. This track’s got a heavy heart, written as a tribute to Harrison’s former Beatles bandmate, John Lennon, after his tragic murder in December 1980. Originally, George penned this song for Ringo Starr, but Ringo found the vocal range too high and wasn’t keen on the lyrics. After Lennon’s death, Harrison reworked the words to honor his friend, keeping Ringo’s drum track and adding Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine for backing vocals. It became the first recording featuring Harrison, McCartney, and Starr since the Beatles’ “I Me Mine” in 1970, making it a poignant, unofficial Beatles reunion. The song’s lyrics nod to Lennon’s “All You Need Is Love” and “Imagine,” and it hit number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, blocked from the top spot by Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes.”

Here’s a cool tidbit from the studio: during the recording at Harrison’s Friar Park studio, George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick were on hand, fresh from working on McCartney’s Tug of War. Paul and his crew popped by to add vocals, but a planned guitar overdub by Harrison for McCartney’s album never happened—the session turned into a full-on “All Those Years Ago” vocal fest instead. Fans on Reddit have called this track a standout, with one user noting its “bitter f**k you” vibe to the record company, as Harrison was frustrated with Warner Bros. for rejecting his initial Somewhere in England submission. The song’s buoyant melody and fluid guitar lines, as Rolling Stone described, carry an emotional weight that still resonates with listeners today.

Let’s rewind to how George Harrison kicked off his legendary career. Born February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, England, young George was the youngest of four kids in a working-class family. His early musical spark came from skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll, inspired by the likes of George Formby, Django Reinhardt, and later Chuck Berry. At 14, he met Paul McCartney on a bus to school, and Paul brought him to audition for John Lennon’s skiffle group, the Quarrymen. Lennon initially thought 15-year-old George was too young, but Harrison’s guitar chops—honed on a second-hand acoustic—won him a spot. The Quarrymen evolved into The Beatles, and by the early ‘60s, Harrison was the “Quiet Beatle,” contributing lead guitar and songs like “Taxman” and “Something.” His fascination with Indian music, sparked by Ravi Shankar, brought the sitar to Western pop, shaping Beatles classics like “Within You Without You.” After the band’s 1970 breakup, Harrison’s triple album All Things Must Pass soared to critical and commercial success, cementing his solo legacy.

Zoo Freaks, you can dive deeper into George Harrison’s world at his official website, georgeharrison.com. Connect with fans on social media via his official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where you’ll find tributes and updates. For more fan love, check out the Harrison Archive on Tumblr, a treasure trove of photos and quotes, or join the George Harrison Fans Facebook group to swap stories with fellow devotees. Keep it funky, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep spinning those soulful vibes!