Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press

“George Harrison was a lovely man,” comedians Billy Connolly shared in conversation with The Adam Buxton Podcast, “I spent a lot of time with him.”

“I remember we went for Chinese food in the East End of London,” he continues, “and a waiter came out and served us. And then he came back all shuffly footed, and he said, ‘I believe there’s somebody here I should know.’”

“One of the guys who was with us pointed to George,”  he adds, “and said, ‘He used to play for Manchester United.’ [The waiter] said, ‘Great can I have your autograph?’ George signed it.”

After sharing this Connolly strikes a more serious tone, reflecting upon what George Harrison related to him about his time in the Beatles:

“He said, ‘We were The Boys for so long.’ It was funny to see his side of it. He wasn’t allowed to be a man.”

In addition to his relating his memories of Geroge Harrison, Conn0lly also reflects on performing the day after John Lennon’s death.

“I played Norwich the night John Lennon was killed,” he recounts. “It was terrible for about 20 minutes. Then I said ‘God, John Lennon…’ and the place erupted in applause and then it was good.”

The interviewer then inquirs if appearing that night had been a depressing prospect.

“I was a huge fan but it wasn’t about being depressed,” Billy replies, “it was about the act [of murder] and about the world’s depression. All you do is mention it. Share it, leave it and get on with it.”

Connolly also reveals never met Lennon before his death.

The first opportunity had come in the form of a letter of introduction from Paul McCartney’s brother.

“I said ‘I can’t go to the door with a letter of introduction’,” Billy exclaims. “I said ‘f*** off’. I didn’t go!”

A second arrived when his manager reported that Lennon and Yoko Ono were attending one of his shows at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Again, Connolly turned the opportunity, citing that he was too tired.

“I was jealous that I never saw him or met him,” he laments. “I was a huge fan. I am friendly with all the other Beatles…. None of them are my favorite. I treasure my friendships with them.”

Listen to the full podcast here.