After the Beatles split in 1970, George Harrison embarked on a huge solo career that spanned over three decades. From experimental soundtracks in the late 1960s to his polished return with Cloud Nine in the 1980s, Harrison’s post-Beatles discography reveals the depth of his songwriting and collaborations with fellow legends.
Early Experiments (1968–1969)
Even before the Beatles officially disbanded, Harrison had begun working on solo projects. Wonderwall Music (1968) was the first solo album released by any Beatle, blending Indian instrumentation with psychedelic textures. He followed it with Electronic Sound (1969), an avant-garde Moog synthesiser exploration that baffled critics but hinted at his restless creativity.
| Album | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Wonderwall Music (1968) | Featured Indian classical musicians such as Aashish Khan (sarod) and Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute). |
| Electronic Sound (1969) | Experimental Moog synthesiser compositions, among the earliest of their kind. |
Classic Era (1970s)
Harrison’s solo career took off with All Things Must Pass (1970), a triple-album masterpiece featuring Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston. This era saw Harrison blending spiritual themes with rock, producing hits like “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life.” Albums like Living in the Material World, Dark Horse, and Thirty Three & 1/3 showcased his evolving sound and collaborations with friends from the rock world.
| Album | Notable Musicians |
|---|---|
| All Things Must Pass (1970) | Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann |
| Living in the Material World (1973) | Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins |
| Dark Horse (1974) | Tom Scott, Billy Preston |
| Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976) | Al Kooper, Willie Weeks |
| George Harrison (1979) | Eric Clapton (guitar on “Love Comes to Everyone”) |
Comeback & Later Years (1980s–2002)
After a brief lull, Harrison re-emerged with Cloud Nine (1987), produced by Jeff Lynne, which spawned the hit “Got My Mind Set on You.” This success led directly to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys with Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Harrison’s final studio album, Brainwashed (2002), was completed by his son Dhani and Lynne after his passing, cementing his legacy as both innovator and heartfelt songwriter.
| Album | Notable Musicians |
|---|---|
| Cloud Nine (1987) | Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Elton John |
| Brainwashed (2002) | Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne |
Explore the Music Map
To see George Harrison’s entire solo journey in one visual, explore my George Harrison Albums Music Map. This unique artwork maps every studio album and musician credit, making it the perfect gift for fans of Harrison’s solo career.
FAQ
How many solo albums did George Harrison release after The Beatles?
Harrison released 12 studio albums between 1968 and 2002, starting with Wonderwall Music and ending with Brainwashed.
Which George Harrison album is considered his masterpiece?
All Things Must Pass (1970) is widely regarded as his greatest work, featuring the hit single “My Sweet Lord.”
Did George Harrison collaborate with other Beatles on his solo albums?
Yes. Ringo Starr appears on several albums, and Paul McCartney briefly reunited with Harrison during the “Anthology” era. Eric Clapton and Billy Preston were also frequent collaborators.
What was George Harrison’s final album?
Brainwashed (2002), completed posthumously by Dhani Harrison and Jeff Lynne.
Where can I see all George Harrison’s albums visually represented?
On the George Harrison Albums Music Map, which charts every album and musician.
