In the early 1990s, gypsy jazz guitarist Robin Nolan could often be found busking in the vibrant Leidseplein square in Amsterdam. Known for its colorful nightlife and eclectic street performances, the square served as a key stage in Nolan’s early music career. But his path took an unexpected and life-changing turn — all thanks to George Harrison’s gardener.
Unbeknownst to Nolan, one of his street-side listeners had close ties to the legendary Beatle. The gardener, impressed by Nolan’s gypsy jazz flair, passed one of his CDs on to Harrison, who had a deep appreciation for diverse musical styles.
“The next thing I know,” Nolan told Guitar World, “George and [his wife] Olivia call to ask if we’d play at their Christmas party.”
This invitation marked the beginning of a meaningful friendship. To Harrison, Nolan was far more than entertainment — he was a master of the gypsy jazz guitar style that Harrison admired. The relationship blossomed, leading Nolan into surreal musical moments with some of the biggest icons in music history.
“We played [their son] Dhani Harrison’s 21st birthday, and everyone there was famous except for us,” Nolan recalled. “Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Ravi Shankar, the Monty Python members… George would say, ‘Check these guys out!’ Our CD was in his jukebox with all his favorite music. We even got to play together. It was surreal.”
After Harrison’s passing in 2001, Nolan considered honoring him with a tribute album that blended gypsy jazz with Harrison’s catalog. The idea simmered for years until it fully ignited during a visit to Olivia Harrison at Friar Park, the Harrisons’ estate.
“We were all talking, and then George’s Ramírez acoustic guitar appeared and I played ‘And I Love Her’ on it,” Nolan shared. “It was a massive thrill to play the song on the same guitar George originally recorded it on, with Olivia and everyone watching.”
That moment was pivotal. For Nolan, it was more than just playing a song — it was about honoring George’s musical essence. The experience inspired the creation of a full album, which Olivia fully supported.
The tribute album, titled For the Love of George, was recorded at Friar Park and featured three of Harrison’s personal guitars. These included the iconic 12-string Rickenbacker used on “A Hard Day’s Night” and the Gibson J-160E acoustic-electric guitar featured across many Beatles records.
“When you put your fingers in the same place that George put his fingers on the same guitar from an epic recording from the Beatles, and it sounds the same, it blows you away,” Nolan said.
He approached the sessions with reverence, focusing not on virtuosity, but on emotional connection.
“Noodling or trying to shred was out the window. With these songs, I was only thinking of George. I just wanted to play for him.”
The album includes ten classic George Harrison compositions, ranging from “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to “I Want To Tell You.” However, the most remarkable track is an original — an unfinished Harrison song that Nolan completed, with Olivia’s blessing.
It all began with a photo text Olivia sent him: a picture of an envelope with George Harrison’s handwriting and a chord progression scribbled on it. Intrigued, Nolan set out to decode the musical mystery.
“I had to unravel the mystery of what he intended. As I played the changes, I kind of heard George’s voice humming in my head,” Nolan said.
He sent his interpretation back to Olivia, unsure how it would be received.
“That was nerve-wracking,” he admitted. “But she texted back, ‘Oh, it sounds so George!’”
That affirmation sealed the moment. The song was officially registered under both names — Harrison–Nolan — and became the opening track of the album.
“Now the copyright says, ‘Harrison–Nolan.’ It’s unreal,” Nolan said.
The album, released in February, stands as a heartfelt tribute and a unique collaboration that spans generations — connecting a modern gypsy jazz guitarist with a Beatle’s enduring legacy.
Robin Nolan’s full interview and an image of the chord-scribbled envelope are featured in the latest issue of Guitar World, available via Magazines Direct.
In other Beatles-related news, David Crosby recently recounted the moment he introduced George Harrison to Ravi Shankar, a meeting that would go on to reshape Harrison’s spiritual journey and musical evolution within the Beatles.
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