Tom Petty Said He Didn’t Think George Harrison ‘Had Much Interest in Rock Music Past About ’57’
Tom Petty knew something important about his friend George Harrison; he didn’t have much interest in rock music past 1957. Although, George himself extended it to the late 1960s. The former Beatles grew up listening to Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry. In the 1960s, he loved the music he was making with The Beatles. He enjoyed what other artists were doing.
However, once 1970 rolled around, George became disenchanted with rock’s new sounds. After that, George only listened to the new rock music from older artists.
In a special edition of Rolling Stone called “Remembering George,” Petty said he didn’t think George had much interest in rock music past 1957.
“The thing he was proudest of was the Beatles,” Petty said. “He said the Beatles put out such a positive message. He was appalled at the things being said in pop music. Once he got into his Indian music, that rock & roll music to him was in the past.
“I don’t think he had much interest in rock music past about ’57. I remember him visiting me on tour in Germany. He would come to the side of the stage and look out. But he really didn’t want to go on. He would go, ‘It’s so loud and smoky, and they are acting so crazy. I just feel better back here.'”
Petty wasn’t the only friend of George’s who noticed his contempt for current rock music. Elton John told Rolling Stone, “He was very forthright. There was no holding back. You know, at a time when Oasis were kissing the Beatles’ feet, George Harrison said, ‘Well, they’re rubbish.'”