Dave Grohl grew up idolizing The Beatles, but only one of them, George Harrison, holds a special place in his heart. Many people thought would pick Ringo Starr, the drummer for The Beatles. Or Paul McCartney, a family friend.
Grohl, on the other hand, has a deep connection with The Beatles’ guitarist. He was so enamored with George’s playing that he had to imitate it on a Foo Fighters song.
On a special broadcast on the BBC’s Radio 2 Beatles, Grohl performed several of his favourite Beatles tunes. Grohl remarked about his personal favourite Beatle, George, and his song “Something” during the program. Grohl connects with George the best out of all the Beatles due to his sense of music.
“I would like to play my favorite song by George Harrison, called ‘Something,’” Grohl said on the radio special. “I think that of all The Beatles, of course, each of them is so entirely different. Melodically, their songwriting, lyrically, but George Harrison, there was almost something about him that I almost preferred the most.
“I loved every single one of them for different reasons, but I connected to George Harrison’s sense of melody more than anyone.”
Grohl felt so strongly about George that the Foo Fighters wrote a song about him called ‘Oh George.’
George is so beloved by the drummer turned guitarist that a Foo Fighters song named “Oh, George” appeared on the band’s debut album.
“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.”
‘Taxman’ by the Quiet Beatle is also a favorite of the Foo Fighters’ leader
Among Grohl’s favorite Beatles songs are “Hey Bulldog,” “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” “All My Loving,” “Eight Days A Week,” and “Blackbird.” The song “Taxman” by George was also on the roster.
Grohl explained, “The opening track ‘Taxman,’ a George Harrison song, 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.
“I have to say that this song, still to this day, sounds better than most rock ‘n’ roll songs. The riff, the rhythm, the melody, the lyrics.”
Grohl is a huge Beatles fan, but he has a sweet spot for George Harrison and his music. It’s no surprise that Grohl sobbed uncontrollably during George’s tribute show, Concert for George.