Peter Asher will be visiting the Fox TV Los Angeles morning show “Good Day L.A.” Monday as it pays tribute to George Harrison on what would have been his 70th birthday. Asher says he and Harrison knew each other so long he can't remember just how long that was.
“The honest truth is that I cannot remember exactly when I first met George. I guess he really was the quiet Beatle. He kind of snuck up on me. I am not sure whether he ever came over to our house or whether I first met him at a Beatle gig or BBC show or something.
"I do remember chatting to him quite a lot when Peter & Gordon toured Germany with the Beatles on an amazing luxury train. And of course, by the time I was Head of A&R at Apple (and he was one of my bosses), I had long since realized what a truly remarkable man he was. Intensely curious both musically and philosophically – and yet there was something deeply British and conservative about him at the same time. I treasure an inscribed copy of the 'Bhagavad Gita' he gave me for my birthday in 1978.”
Asher recently produced a version of Harrison's song “I Need You.” Was it always a favorite? “Yes, it is an elegantly simple and highly effective song. Almost as Buddy Holly might have done. George took a basic sentiment and some elementary chords and created something complex and beautiful. I was asked to pick a George song to produce with The Webb Sisters for a MOJO George-tribute album and I suggested 'I Need You' straight away. The girls loved it too and I am very happy with how it came out.”
Asher says he will be performing the song during his “Good Day L.A.” appearance, which will happen during the 8 a.m. hour.
“I love 'Good Day L.A.' and always have a good time when I visit,” he says. “So when they asked me whether I would come and talk and sing in honor of George’s 70th. I had no hesitation. And when I realized that the wonderful Webb Sisters happened to be here right now preparing for the next round of sold out Leonard Cohen dates (best concerts currently on the road anywhere by anyone, in my view!), I asked whether they would do me the honor of joining me.
"They kindly agreed to do so, as did my band and so we worked out a new version in my key. The Webbs and my impeccable musicians sound as wonderful as always and I shall certainly do my best!”
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