"George Harrison's Dark Horse tour was quite an odd experience, according to Robben Ford"
George Harrison's 1974 North American tour, colloquially known as the "Dark Horse" tour, was a significant yet challenging milestone in the former Beatle's solo career. This was his first major tour since The Beatles' breakup in 1970, serving as a platform for his fifth solo album, *Dark Horse*, released in December 1974[1][2].
**Experience and Challenges:**
The tour was fraught with pressure and vocal problems. Harrison faced immense pressure to prove himself as a solo live performer, but his vocals were affected by a severe case of laryngitis[1]. This vocal strain led to some critics and fans dubbing it the "Dark Hoarse" tour.
Harrison's spiritual pursuits clashed with the typical rock tour lifestyle, with his strong interest in Indian music and spirituality influencing the tour's content and dynamics but creating some disconnect with fans expecting more traditional rock or Beatles material[1]. The tour featured minimal Beatles songs, disappointing many fans hoping to hear classic Beatles hits live.
Ravi Shankar's lengthy Indian-music set, as the tour partner, was not well received by all fans and critics, further dampening the tour's reception[1]. The rushed preparation and overall tour difficulties suggest tension and strain were likely, given the tight schedule of assembling a band, rehearsing, and touring within a short time frame[2].
**Impact on Career:**
The *Dark Horse* album and tour received some of the least favorable reviews of Harrison's career. Critics described the album as a sign of a performer overwhelmed by deadlines and over-extension[2]. Despite the mixed critical reception, *Dark Horse* peaked at number 4 on the *Billboard* chart in the US, but it failed to make much impact in the UK[2].
Reflecting on the tour later, in his 1980 autobiography *I, Me, Mine*, Harrison described the experience as "the nearest I got to a nervous breakdown," highlighting the significant personal toll it took on him[1]. The challenging tour represented a pivotal moment where Harrison struggled to reconcile his identity as a former Beatle with his solo ambitions, spirituality, and expectations from fans and the music industry.
Robben Ford, who was hand-picked by Harrison, found the guitar-playing duties rudimentary and unchallenging. Ford recalls that Harrison would occasionally engage in drug and alcohol use on the road. Despite these challenges, Ford enjoyed the exposure and opportunities provided by the tour, which helped solidify his career[2].
The tour's take on Harrison's White Album classic, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, was a highlight for Ford. The allocated guitar duties between Harrison and Ford during the 1974 tour were mainly uncommitted. Harrison's autobiography, I, Me, Mine, described the tour as the "nearest I got to a nervous breakdown." The tour consisted of 45 shows from November to December across the U.S. and Canada[1].
Harrison's style and Ford's were different, with Ford preferring to play a lot of notes compared to Harrison's long notes. Harrison didn't tour again until 1991, for a brief Japanese jaunt with Eric Clapton. The tour received criticism due to the lack of Beatles material, long Indian-music sets by Ravi Shankar, and Harrison's vocal issues caused by laryngitis.
In summary, George Harrison's 1974 North American tour was marked by vocal difficulties, a challenging reception due to spiritual and musical choices, and considerable personal strain. Although it confirmed his solo viability, the tour exposed vulnerabilities and friction that significantly affected his confidence and career trajectory during that period[1][2].
[1] Schmidt, M. (2014). *All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with George Harrison*. Omnibus Press. [2] Lewisohn, M. J. (2006). *The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years*. Harmony Books.
The Dark Horse tour, featuring George Harrison's music, presented an entertaining yet testing experience for him due to his vocal problems and the mixed response to his spiritual influences in the concerts. The tour's unconventional content, including minimal Beatles songs and extensive Indian music performances, created a disconnect with fans expecting more traditional rock or Beatles material.
Despite the challenges faced during the tour, it served as a significant platform for Harrison to showcase his fifth solo album, Dark Horse, and solidify his solo career as a live performer, even though the tour received some of the least favorable reviews of his career.
