3 Moments George Harrison Proved He Could Outshine The Beatles

All four Beatles went on to have successful solo careers, but George Harrison doesn’t always receive as much attention as John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Nevertheless, George had several remarkable moments after the Beatles that truly showcased his talent. Here are three times he stepped out of the Beatles’ shadow and shone on his own.

A Supergroup for the Ages

In 1988, George helped form the Traveling Wilburys, one of the greatest supergroups of all time. If the name sounds familiar, it should. This all-star band featured George, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison. Fans loved their songs—such as Handle with Care and She’s My Baby—and the group developed a sound all its own.

The idea for the band emerged while Harrison and Lynne were working on George’s 1987 solo album Cloud Nine. Together, they proved to be a powerful creative team.

The First Beatle to Score a Solo Hit

George wasted no time making headlines after the Beatles disbanded. His first solo album, All Things Must Pass, was released in 1970 and became a massive success. Not only was it masterfully produced, but it was also the first solo album by any of the Fab Four to reach No. 1 on the charts.

The album gave George a chance to fully showcase his songwriting talents. Many of the tracks had been written during his time with the Beatles, but only received proper recognition after the band’s breakup. All Things Must Pass was a carefully crafted project that proved Harrison could more than hold his own.

Using Music to Make a Difference

Long before Live Aid and other massive celebrity charity concerts, George was already thinking ahead. In 1971, he helped organize The Concert for Bangladesh after his friend Ravi Shankar informed him of the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Harrison pulled out all the stops, persuading Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, and even Ringo Starr to perform. It was a groundbreaking event that demonstrated music’s power to create real-world impact. More than just a great concert, it helped redefine what benefit performances could achieve.

George Harrison had no trouble stepping into his own spotlight—and at times, even outshining the legacy of his Beatles years. From founding legendary supergroups to releasing chart-topping solo albums and organizing pioneering charity events, he proved he was far more than just “the quiet Beatle.”