George Harrison’s son Dhani Harrison stands onstage with ELO’s Jeff Lynne and Eagles’ Joe Walsh, looking like a spitting image of his father in his younger years. They are there to honor his late father’s legacy, playing an emotional rendition of George’s most iconic Beatles ballad, “Something”. Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are there in the front row, singing along as Jeff and Dhani harmonize.
The Music Man readers may note that Joe made his guitar sing just like George, showing his respect by playing his solo note-for-note. Fans loved to see it and were left emotional hearing how Dhani’s voice sounded just like his dad. With all three musicians being a part of the Beatles “extended family” (as Joe put it), there’s no one who could have done a better job on this timeless song.
Jeff, Dhani and Joe’s take on “Something” proved to be a hit with Beatles fans, as 20 million viewers tuned in to hear it on YouTube. Fans gave plenty of love below the video, adding comments such as “Hearing Dhani’s voice sounding just like George’s gives me the chills. And Joe Walsh delivering a faithful rendition of the guitar solo was a plus!” and “The harmony between Dhani and Jeff is the best part, sounds great!”
Paul and Ringo performed another memorable rendition of “Something” several years prior at the Concert for George, which took place one year after George’s death. Paul took the opening of George’s ballad in a different direction at the concert, giving it a breezy vibe by basing the arrangement around his ukulele part. The band then turned it back towards the original vibe of the song at the guitar solo, which was delivered beautifully by Eric Clapton in one of his numerous collaborations with the Fab Four members.
Dhani teamed up with Jeff and Joe at The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, which took place in Los Angeles, California, on February 9, 2014. All three musicians have close relationships with the Beatles and George’s music. Dhani and Jeff produced George’s final album, Brainwashed, as well as recorded overdubs for it. The pair took on that role to complete the album, as George asked them to finish the project when he realized he would die before he could finish the recording himself. Joe produced Ringo’s 1983 solo album, Old Wave. Joe was also a founding member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He first played with the band from 1989 to 1992 and has made numerous guest appearances with the band over the decades since then.