Foo Fighters Has A Tribute Song Just For George Harrison
Dave Grohl in 2014 - The Howard Stern Show / YouTube
Dave Grohl, the former drummer for Nirvana turned frontman of Foo Fighters, has always been vocal about his musical influences, with a notable admiration for The Beatles. Among the Fab Four, Grohl singles out George Harrison as his favorite, expressing a deep connection to Harrison’s sense of melody.
In an interview with BBC Radio 2 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road
Grohl revealed that “Something” was one of his all-time favorite tracks by The Beatles:
“I would like to play my favorite song by George Harrison, called ‘Something’,” he said.
Grohl further explained his appreciation for Harrison’s unique musicality, stating:
“I think that of all The Beatles — of course, each one of them is so entirely different, melodically they’re so different, songwriting, lyrically — but George Harrison, there was something about him that I almost preferred the most.”
Expressing his connection to Harrison’s sense of melody, Grohl shared:
“I loved every single one of them for different reasons, but I connected to George Harrison’s sense of melody more than anyone.”
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Transitioning from a drummer to a frontman
Grohl founded Foo Fighters, and his admiration for Harrison’s work is reflected in his approach as a songwriter. The first Foo Fighters record includes a track titled ‘Oh, George,’ which Grohl wrote as a tribute to the iconic musician:
“On the first Foo Fighters record, there is a song entitled ‘Oh, George.’ I basically wanted the guitar solo to sound like something he would do,” Grohl explained. “But the guitar solo in the song ‘Something’ is the first guitar solo I ever learned. It’s such a beautiful solo. Melodically, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the most classic guitar solos of all time. Such a beautiful song.”
Grohl also highlighted ‘Taxman,’ the opening track from Revolver, as another cherished creation by Harrison, praising its riffs, rhythms, and overall sonic excellence:
“It’s one of my favorite riffs and rhythms of all Beatles songs. I love the chords; I love the melody; I love the snare sound. You have to imagine that in 1966, they were inventing a lot of rock ‘n’ roll recording by figuring out new ways to engineer these sessions.”
In the wake of Harrison’s tragic death in 2001
Grohl penned a heartfelt tribute to the revered guitarist:
“George Harrison was always my favorite Beatle. His quiet sensitivity always seemed so noble. His songs seemed sweeter and deeper than the rest. Beyond being an amazing player, his ability to convey such emotion with just his guitar played a huge part in the Beatles’ music for me. He was the secret weapon.”
Dave Grohl’s tribute to George Harrison underscores the profound impact the legendary guitarist had on his musical journey, influencing not only his playing but also shaping the ethos of Foo Fighters’ sound.
