Pattie’s relationship with George Harrison steadily declined during the early 1970s. He was often unfaithful towards her; she, meanwhile, was being pursued by Eric Clapton.
I was aware that Eric found me attractive and I enjoyed the attention he paid me.It was hard not to be flattered when I caught him staring at me or when he chose to sit beside me. He complimented me on what I was wearing and the food I had cooked, and he said things he knew would make me laugh. Those were all things that George no longer did.
Wonderful Today
Although she had previously succumbed to Clapton’s advances, Pattie remained with George Harrison for several years as their relationship faltered. One night, at a party at the home of pop impresario Robert Stigwood, Clapton had confessed to Harrison his feelings towards Pattie.
During the early hours, George appeared. He was morose and his mood was not improved by walking into a party that had been going on for several hours and where most of the guests were high on drugs.He kept asking ‘Where’s Pattie?’ but no one seemed to know. He was about to leave when he spotted me in the garden with Eric. It was just getting light, and very misty. George came over and demanded: ‘What’s going on?’ To my horror, Eric said: ‘I have to tell you, man, that I’m in love with your wife.’
Wonderful Today
George Harrison’s marriage to Pattie ended in June 1974, and she took up with Eric Clapton. Despite that, the two guitarists remained close friends.
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- George and Pattie Harrison at the second Isle of Wight Festival, 31 August 1969
The first Christmas after I’d left him, in 1974, just as Eric and I were sitting down to lunch, George burst in, uninvited. He had some wine and Christmas pudding with us. I couldn’t believe how friendly he and Eric were towards each other.The sad thing was, I realised later, he wasn’t doing anything on Christmas Day and must have been lonely.
Wonderful Today
Clapton wrote ‘Layla’ for Pattie; the song detailed his unrequited love for her, and was inspired by a Persian tale that Clapton had been given by a friend. He also wrote ‘Wonderful Tonight’ for her on 7 September 1976, while waiting for her to get ready to attend Paul and Linda McCartney’s annual Buddy Holly party.
The couple remained together for several years, in spite of Clapton’s heroin and alcohol addictions and numerous infidelities, but eventually divorced in 1989 following his affair with Italian model Lori Del Santo.
George Harrison died of cancer on 29 November 2001. The loss profoundly shocked Boyd, who had remained close to him in the years after their marriage ended.
I burst into tears when I heard he had died; I felt completely bereft. I couldn’t bear the thought of a world without George.When I left him for Eric, he had said that if things didn’t work out, I could always come to him. It was such a selfless, loving thing to say.
Now that sense of security had gone. At the end I hadn’t grasped how ill he was as I hadn’t seen him for a few months. The last time had been at my cottage: he had phoned to say he was coming to Sussex to visit Ringo and Barbara and wanted to see me – I think he was curious to know where I was living. I was so glad we’d had that last meeting.
Wonderful Today
On 14 February 2005 an exhibition of photographs taken by Boyd during her time with Harrison and Clapton opened at the San Francisco Art Exchange. It was titled Through The Eye Of A Muse. It was repeated in San Francisco in February 2006, before moving to London.
Her autobiography Wonderful Today (Wonderful Tonight in the USA), written with journalist Penny Junor, was published in August 2007.
Wow, I am stunned to learn about George and Maureen.
My GOD… this George with Maureen thing is just flat out childish! And Pattie’s reaction was almost equally childish – which was, unfortunately, not much of a surprise to me.
I could just imagine the “temperature” of the Beatles inner circle back in 1968-1969. John and Yoko were making a saga; George was having drunken fling with his best friend’s wife.
Whether it is true or not, I feel I can imagine why Paul shied away from the marriage issue at the time.
I can’t help it – I have to applaud Paul for getting the “itches” out of his system by playing the fields before tying his first knot with Linda.
Paul was engaged to Jane Asher but was disappointed that she continued her acting career instead of remaining ever-available to satisfy his every need. Instead of breaking up with her he passive-aggressively acted out and had affairs with several women, including Peggy Lipton, while Jane was away on play and movie sets.
Jane Asher was actually better off not marrying Paul. I’m a big Macca fan and I love their somewhat storybook romance at the beginning, BUT…he was a hound dog, hunting the female hordes, playing the field thoroughly enjoying his outside, extra, sex life, but his main lady was Jane, whom he cared a lot about, but as a young man of that time, like so many other men since the beginning of time, felt it was/is their due to sex as many women as their heart desire(d), even if they are/were already a boyfriend, a fiance’ or a husband. Stupid entitled mentality that a lot of males have. Paul was Jane’s first serious boyfriend as she was only 17 and a virgin. She wanted a acting career, something she had worked for all of her young life, and when she broke off their engagement, she was only 22 years old. I’m glad she didn’t cave and settle to support his needs over hers, coddle his, (at that time) chauvinist attitudes and insecurities. She was a young woman, a girl really, and although she was mature (more than he was in a lot of ways) for her age, she needed more life experiences, and he needed an experienced woman to help him grow up. They both chose right for themselves at that time.
I agree with much of what you say but I’m not sure whether young women need more life experiences if it’s what I think you mean. It didn’t seem to do Patti much good. From an early age Jane Asher had been around grown men and women from all walks of life due to her acting career. Although very shy, at the age of 17 she was called upon to do her first nude scene in Masque of the Red Death, a nerve wracking experience even today let alone in 1963. She then embarked on a five year relationship with Paul McCartney during one of the most tumultuous cultural and social periods in history. I mean, how much experience does a girl need? Jane later said she had probably been naive about Paul’s women, but I think a much older woman in the same situation would also have been shocked at the extent of his infidelities. Linda was no siren. If anything she came late to the game in her mid twenties, most likely liberated by her newly discovered and zealous use of weed. By the time she married Paul times had changed, the Beatles had more or less finished, and Paul had to grow up anyway.
Paul’s reason for having one-night stands with other woman was actually because he believed that it was okay, seeing that he and Jane were not legally married, so to call him passive-aggressive is a bit harsh.
Linda clearly changed Paul into a better man and as a far cry from his days with Jane, he actually insisted that Linda be involved with his post-Beatles music projects, Wings included, so that they did not have to be apart during tours, never mind that she had no prior musical experiences. He also did not make her quit photography altogether, since she continued to take her own personal photographs at Beatles recording sessions, the Abbey Road photo shoot and possibly at their final photo shoot at Tittenhurst Park – she was heavily pregnant at the latter two dates.
Linda did not make Paul a better man. It was the change in attitudes towards women in the 1970s, reflected in the women’s liberation demonstrations and marches, which called men like Paul out. Linda wasn’t passionate about her career and the nature of it did not conflict with Paul’s own career. Lame excuses for Paul. He was engaged to Jane – a commitment to marry – when he had his dirty weekend with Linda and others. She and Paul lived together as a couple. He could have ended it if he wanted to play. At least the other three owned up to their lousy, entitled behaviour. That Jane still refuses to talk about Paul says a lot.
I’ll rephrase what I mean when I said that Linda changed Paul for the better – what I meant was that he settled down with her and remained a faithful husband to her until the day she died of cancer. He even taught her how to play keyboards and from the start of their marriage, insisted that she be involved in his musical projects, so that they didn’t have to be apart while they were on tour.
You are correct about women’s liberation movements.
Paul INSISTED that Linda be part of his musical projects and that he ALLOWED her to pursue her photography. What is going on here? Whatever people want to think of any of these people under discussion is fair enough, but within the particular context of making Paul a “better man”, I don’t agree, but I realise that is my opinion. I think the underlying sexism here is unfortunate.
I agree with you about Paul’s excuses for one-night stands being relatively lame, even while with Jane. It’s okay to have different opinions and I am not sexist – as I have previously said, I am expressing my opinions on certain things.
George wrote a song called “Maureen” that he played for the band at the let it be sessions
Paul seems to have a thing for uppercrust ladies, in the marriage department that is.
Why did he marry Heather Mills?
When Paul married Heather, I think it’s safe to say that he was lonely for companionship, needy. He had credited her for helping him come out of his deep, consuming grief over losing Linda. Heather was attractive, vivacious, sexy to him, and didn’t let the fact that she’d lost a limb stop her from living her life to the fullest. I think she saw his desperate loneliness, his $$$, his fame, and saw an opportunity for herself then played her cards, not letting him see the real her until after they were married. He got a beautiful young daughter (a blessing not a mistake) from that wrong turn in the road.
Pattie and George were such a beautiful couple. Pattie’s face had more character before she had her teeth straightened. It must have been difficult for her trying to be the lady of the manor at that huge Victorian pile that George bought, particularly with Maureen’s ‘visits’.
Om flag down and pirate flag up? I LOVE it!!!!
Though I was never an exclusive George Harrison fan, Pattie’s allegations disturbed me and destroyed any admiration I had for George Harrison. I cannot admire George and I certainly do not admire Pattie for dishing the dirt after George Harrison died. I think it was a low blow.
That was common knowledge to any Beatles fan; clearly you are not!
I also disagree with Pattie’s claims that George found Paul difficult and even a video on YouTube has an interview with George and Ringo, where George makes it clear that he still liked Paul and it didn’t matter what the papers reported.
Besides, Pattie was not even a regular visitor to the recording sessions and so she wouldn’t have been privy to what went on much of the time between Paul and George.
I’ve never been a fan of any of the Beatles, and not Eric Clapton either (I know, I’m going to hell). Much preferred the Stone, and as far as Cream, Jack Bruce was the creator there. That being said I have been watching some docus lately about George and Eric and been looking into their women. What a bunch of addicted, immature, entitled men, who used money and fame to act like forever 14 year olds whose parents are away. I feel so sorry for all the women who crossed their paths. You can say they knew what they were getting into but given the time period and the fact that some of the men DID settle down for periods of time, like couples from time immemorial they felt this was “it” and the past behavior would end. Look at Eric now: kvelling about how his life is complete with his child wife and his 3 daughters, waving aside all the lives he contributed in ruining in the past. As I read about these men I’m glad I never took a fancy to them, I’m not disappointed by hearing what @sses they were. My feelings are with the women, I hope they have all moved on to happier times.
Well,, I think what happened was the space between George and Pattie became so wide and Pattie started to be attracted by Eric’s flirted around her, it was not Pattie’s fault at all to leave George. I read the complete version when George found out Pattie with Eric in the Stigwood’s party asking what were they doing there and Eric answered he was in love with George’s wife, George said ‘ that’s fine” and said you give your girlfriend to me and I will give her for you. And in the other versions I also read George might have slept with Eric’s Girlfriend and thus he soon said to exchange his wife with Eric’s girlfriend.
After catching Pattie and Eric did things like husband and wife at Stigwood’s party, George made the distance wider from Patty by honestly saying he was attracted by Maureen ( Ringo’s wife) and wanted Maureen to sleep with him. This was crazy and hurting Pattie and Ringo as well .
It was also a rumor that John was also attracted by Pattie. I concluded those Beatles were crazy and particularly the were under the influences of alcohol, drugs and swinger trends those days. George tried to be more spiritual by the meditation and convert to Hindu but this did not answer his empty heart, The meditation was eventually the thing made Pattie got frustrated and being ignored by George as his wife. George also used the meditation as an excuse to be with Maureen.
I am a Beatlemania and Love Harrison so much but honestly my feelings are with Pattie, she must had been very strong to live with those circumstance and she said George was her true love, she loves George so much and proud to be part of his life
Pattie gave as good as she got. It is insulting to Olivia and Dhani for her to say she could have gone back to George. I give her book no credence whatsoever. It was a money making scam.
I think Pattie got used to the money and security. Although how bad could her divorce settlements be having been married to George Harrison and Eric Clapton?
She also had a story in her book where she said that Eric showed up at their (George & Patties) mansion with a guitar and a portable amplifier to challenge George to a “duel” over Pattie. She said it was close but Eric won. Eric himself said later he had no memory of that ever happening. Of course how much could Eric Clapton remember from that time in his life? Hehe…
I interpret that quote as meaning “come back to George” for emotional support and friendship, not romance. Which is essentially what happened anyway.
I am sure all The Beatles had good and bad qualities. Their wives too. Why? Because they are human. Pattie and Eric continued to be friends with George. George continued to be friends with Ringo, even after his affair with Maureen. They all did drugs, which makes everyone’s life worse and less rational. The women, to a large extent, chose the Beatles for their fame and fortune. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t love also, but it is almost always a factor in it. And the Beatles likely chose the women for their sex appeal, at least to them. Certainly that is the case in Pattie Boyd’s situation. It doesn’t mean they didn’t love them either they all didn’t have wonderful qualities too. This is simply what men and women do when they achieve fame or they are especially good looking, rich, etc. It often leads to a lot of sadness. I have made some of my own choices based on some of the same type of shallow things. I expect, so have “you,” even if “you” can’t accept it. I’m not going to judge them or you completely for human failings liked infidelity, though it’s certainly nothing for anyone to be proud of. What I regret most for them is their drug use.
I agree with you.
Here is some more trivia about Pattie: her sister Jenny was married to Fleetwood Mac’s drummer Mick Fleetwood, so it meant that he was also George’s brother-in-law.
In fact, Mick wrote in his first autobiography that Fleetwood Mac were friendly with The Beatles and John wanted to sign them to Apple, but their then-manager Clifford Davies decided to go with Warner Bros. Records instead, possibly because he sensed the financial instability and business problems that were undermining Apple. This was in 1969, so Peter Green was still the Mac’s leader.
Had the Mac signed to Apple, they could possibly have recorded at Abbey Road Studios or even the Apple Studios at 3 Savile Row.
I’m over the Harrison/Clapton/Boyd romantic drama discussions. What I find more interesting is all the cameos and small contributions Pattie made in various Beatle creative works.
Think about it. She…
– Played a role in “A Hard Day’s Night”
– Contributed backing vocals for “Yellow Submarine”
– Of course, was in the “Something” music video
– Sung backing vocals in “Birthday”, along with Yoko
– Was in the “Day in the Life” music video
– Persuaded Paul to put “Wild Honey Pie” on the White Album (…For better or worse)
-Was featured in the live “All You Need is Love” TV performance
Of course, these are all minor contributions in the grand scheme of things. But I wonder, is she the most recurring Beatles wife in their works? Maybe next to Yoko Ono.
The most important thing that Pattie did was introduce George to the Maharishi’s teachings.
That’s a big thing that gets ignored. I too get sick of the Pattie/Harrison/Clapton drama along with the ‘Jane caught Paul with another woman in bed’ sctick. All the women were all influential in some way. Yoko Ono despite her huge looming presence in the dying days of the Beatles was more influential on John’s solo career overall. But the most influential woman on the Beatles was Jane Asher. She was the inspiration behind many of Paul’s songs from And I Love Her and Things We Said Today to For No One and many others. Hey Jude was written in the wake of their breakup. She introduced Paul to classical music, evidenced in songs like I’ve Just Seen A Face. He dreamt the melody to Yesterday at her parents’ house and wrote the lyrics while both were riding in a car to their destination in Portugal. All of these songs are big numbers in the Beatles canon. Jane and her family introduced Paul to a different cultural and intellectual world that benefited the Beatles. As did Pattie’s early Eastetn interests.