The late George Harrison maintained an uneasy relationship with touring throughout his career, preferring the sanctuary of the studio over the spotlight of the stage. However, there were sporadic instances when Harrison ventured into the live performance realm, and his final concert unfolded at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall in 1992.
Harrison’s aversion to touring had deep roots, as The Beatles had famously ceased live performances in 1966. The decision was strategic, considering the challenges of delivering quality sound to massive crowds, exemplified by the limited audible experience for fans at their historic Shea Stadium concert in New York. Moreover, during that era, touring lacked the financial allure it holds today, with record sales proving to be a more lucrative venture. The break from touring allowed The Beatles to focus on studio creativity and spend time with their families.
After The Beatles disbanded, Paul McCartney embraced touring, while Harrison took a hiatus. It wasn’t until the end of 1974 that Harrison, alongside Ravi Shankar, embarked on a tour – marking his last live performances for 16 years. Despite joining Eric Clapton for a tour in Japan in 1991, Harrison’s affinity for live performance remained transient. His only subsequent appearances were at Madison Square Garden in October 1992 during a tribute concert for Bob Dylan.
Although Harrison played only two songs at Madison Square Garden, his actual final concert transpired at London’s Royal Albert Hall on April 6th, 1992, in support of the National Law Party (NLP). The NLP, sharing Harrison’s belief in Transcendental Meditation, failed to resonate with the public, receiving a mere 0.19% of votes in the general election.
The NLP’s formation prompted Harrison to take the Royal Albert Hall stage for his last full-length concert. The setlist featured predominantly Beatles tracks, including crowd-pleasers like ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘Something’, ‘Piggies’, and ‘Taxman’. For the encore, Ringo Starr joined Harrison on stage for renditions of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ and Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Beethoven’. In total, the performance included 19 songs, providing a poignant farewell to live audiences.
The convergence of Harrison’s friendship with Dylan and his commitment to the NLP compelled him to return to the stage for this cause. Despite the NLP’s lack of success, Harrison’s dedication to supporting their fundraising campaign underscored his unwavering beliefs. While his illness likely precluded a return to extensive touring, the Royal Albert Hall concert stands as a testament to Harrison’s enduring impact on the stage, marking a poignant chapter in his live performance legacy.