George Harrison’s Beloved Sitar Sells for Over $66,000
In a notable blend of music history and collector enthusiasm, a sitar once held by Beatles guitarist George Harrison drew the attention of auction attendees in Los Angeles. It ultimately fetched a notable sum of $66,993.
The journey of this particular sitar started in 1965, a time when The Beatles were at the peak of their musical creativity and experimentation.
Key point
The instrument was acquired by Harrison on the lively streets of Oxford Street, a purchase that not only marked a key point in the band’s musical evolution but also in the broader landscape of rock music.
With this sitar, Harrison enriched the recording sessions of Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), a notable track from the band’s critically acclaimed sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, with otherworldly tones that would become part of the Beatles’ distinctive sound during that period.
Indian instruments
The song is a landmark in popular music, being one of the first to introduce Indian instruments to mainstream Western music. It started a sonic revolution that would see Eastern musical influences celebrated more prominently in the rock genre.
After its use in the groundbreaking recording sessions, the instrument traveled with Harrison to Barbados for his honeymoon with Pattie Boyd in 1966, becoming part of their lives’ narrative.
Harrison later passed the sitar to his friend George de Vere Drummond in a show of deep appreciation, marking its conclusion with The Beatles, but not its historical and emotional importance.
