The Meeting

In December 1964, two young guitarists met for the first time at a Christmas show at London's Hammersmith Odeon. One was a member of the biggest band on the planet. The other was being called the best guitarist in Britain. Their names were George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Neither could have known they were beginning one of the most remarkable friendships in the history of popular music.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Harrison had written a song for the White Album — but felt his bandmates weren't giving it the attention it deserved. On September 6th 1968 he asked Clapton to come to Abbey Road and play the solo. Clapton hesitated — "Nobody ever plays on the Beatles' records." Harrison's reply was simple: "It's my song. And I want you to play on it." That evening Clapton walked into Abbey Road and recorded one of the most celebrated guitar solos in history. Harrison later said: "I wanted Eric there for a bit of moral support — and to make the others behave."

Badge — L'Angelo Misterioso

Within weeks Harrison returned the favour. Clapton needed songs for Cream's final album and Harrison came to the session. The two friends sat down together and wrote Badge in a single evening. Due to record label contractual restrictions Harrison could not be credited under his own name. He appeared on the album liner notes as "L'Angelo Misterioso" — The Mysterious Angel. Not a bad credit for a Beatle.

Layla & Duane Allman

In August 1970 Clapton arrived at Criteria Studios in Miami to record with Derek and the Dominos. What many people don't know is that the band itself was born out of George Harrison's own sessions. All four members of Derek and the Dominos had come from Delaney and Bonnie's band. Harrison had called Clapton and asked him to bring those musicians into the studio — and the band that formed in those sessions went on to record Layla. Harrison even contributed guitar himself to a track called Roll It Over during the sessions.

By chance, producer Tom Dowd was also recording the Allman Brothers at the same studio. Clapton insisted on seeing their show — specifically to see their slide guitarist, Duane Allman. Back in the studio the two guitarists played together through the night. Producer Tom Dowd watched it happen: "They were feeding off each other like crazy — running on pure emotion." The result was Layla — widely considered one of the greatest rock albums ever made. Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in October 1971. He was twenty four years old. He never heard Layla become the classic it is.

The Concert for Bangladesh

On August 1st 1971, George Harrison stood on the stage of Madison Square Garden in New York City. He had organised the first ever major rock benefit concert — for the victims of war and famine in Bangladesh. Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, Billy Preston and Eric Clapton all performed. When asked why he had done it Harrison simply replied: "Because I was asked by a friend if I would help. That's all." The concert raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars on the night. By 1985 the records, film and album had raised close to twelve million dollars for UNICEF. George Harrison had invented the benefit concert.

The Love Story

George Harrison wrote Something for a woman named Pattie Boyd — his wife. Eric Clapton wrote Layla for the same woman. And then Wonderful Tonight. And Bell Bottom Blues. Pattie Boyd eventually left Harrison and married Clapton in 1979. George Harrison attended the wedding. He referred to himself, warmly and without bitterness, as their "husband-in-law." Three of the greatest love songs in rock history. Two men. One woman. And a friendship that survived it all.

The Traveling Wilburys

In April 1988 Harrison needed to record a bonus track for a single — quickly. He called Jeff Lynne. Roy Orbison came along for the ride. Tom Petty joined when Harrison stopped by his house to pick up a guitar. They needed a studio at short notice. Harrison called Bob Dylan — who said yes, use my garage. As they set up Harrison noticed a cardboard box on the floor. Stamped on the side were three words — Handle With Care. A song was born. A supergroup was born. Harrison described it simply as "a bunch of friends who happened to be really good at making music." The world called them the Traveling Wilburys.

The Concert for George

George Harrison passed away on November 29th 2001. He was fifty eight years old. Exactly one year later — to the day — Eric Clapton walked onto the stage of the Royal Albert Hall in London. He had organised the Concert for George. A final act of love for his oldest friend. Before the music began Clapton told the audience it would be full of "beautiful music and warm feelings — a blessed occasion for me to share my love of George with you." Standing on that stage alongside him was Dhani Harrison — George's son — playing his father's music. When the time came to play While My Guitar Gently Weeps — the song that had first brought them together in that Abbey Road studio back in 1968 — Eric Clapton stepped to the microphone and played it one more time for his friend.