On This Day in 1971: George Harrison Became the First Ex-Beatle to Top the U.S. Album Chart With a Massive Triple Release of Rejected Beatles Songs
Photo by Koen Suyk / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
en released in the United States on November 27, 1970. It quickly became a commercial hit, receiving heavy radio play and strong public demand. Its success matched what Harrison had achieved with My Sweet Lord, which had already topped singles charts in late 1970 and early 1971, becoming one of the most played songs of the time.
Triple Album of Hits and Surprises
The album was a triple LP co‑produced by Harrison and Phil Spector and was filled with songs Harrison had written over several years. Many of these tracks had been offered to The Beatles earlier but never made it onto the group’s records. The album included the hit singles “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life,” as well as tracks like “Isn’t It a Pity” and the title song that had been turned down by The Beatles.
Alongside the core songs, the album also featured contributions from some of the era’s well‑known musicians. Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, and others played on various tracks, bringing a rich mix of sound to the record. This group of players helped Harrison shape songs that blended rock, folk, and soul influences into a cohesive set.
View this post on Instagram
Rejected Songs Find New Life
Many of the songs on All Things Must Pass had once been rejected or overlooked by The Beatles. “Isn’t It a Pity,” for example, had been offered during the sessions for Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The White Album but was not recorded by the band. It finally appeared on Harrison’s triple album, where its thoughtful lyrics and melodies found an audience.
Those rejected tracks now stood alongside new hits, showing how much material Harrison had developed while in The Beatles. The mix gave the album depth and range, moving from spiritual reflections to upbeat pop and rock numbers. “What Is Life” became a popular single in its own right, with critics calling it one of the standout tracks in Harrison’s solo catalog.
Commercial and Cultural Success
All Things Must Pass did more than top charts. It went on to earn multiple certifications and influence scores of musicians. In the U.S., it stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Top LPs chart for seven weeks. The album also topped charts in several other countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and more, showing Harrison’s global impact as a solo artist.
The album’s success made Harrison one of the most respected solo artists of his time. While all Beatles members went on to explore work after the band’s end, All Things Must Pass stood out as a major achievement that combined personal expression with public acclaim.
