Who was the lead guitarist of the Beatles?

George Harrison was an English musician, multi-instrumentalist and singer. He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of The Beatles.

Though most songs for The Beatles were composed by John Lennon or Paul McCartney, young Harrison also took part in creating songs for almost every album they had ever released.
The break-up of the band finally gave George Harrison the opportunity to start a successful solo career.

G. Harrison died on the 29th of November, 2001 (aged 58).

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67 Comments

greggstaton

Paul McCartney was the left handed bass player

Mark Yakabuski

In their traditional stage positions in the early days, John was off to the right (stage left) clearly strumming rhythm, with Paul and George sharing a mic on the left (stage right) and Ringo back behind in the middle keeping time. George took most if not all the lead solos. With John and Paul writing the majority of the songs many just assume John was the lead guitarist.

Autumn Gabriel

First Stu Sutcliffe played bass. After he left the group, Paul McCartney took over as bassist

Dave Woodward

larrywagner, There is a difference between Lead Guitarist and Lead singer. Lennon was the main singer and played Rhythm guitar. Harrison was the Lead Guitarist - total difference.

skclary

Got it but it was really hard to decide between Harrison and Lennon.

Cheryl Perkins

Paul was on bass guitar, George was on lead and John was on rhythm.

Bob Blumrick

John, from the movie, "Help": "I play rhythm guitar and harmonica." Hence, it was George on lead guitar (and sitar on "Norwegian Wood" and other Indian-influenced songs).

Player

Multiple websites, none of which are Wikipedia, call Harrison the lead guitarist.

chrismdavies

Eric Clapton, as he played the stuff George couldn't, eg while my guitar gently weeps.

j collins

I always thought George was rhythm not lead. 😂

Shirley Dutt

My favorite Beatle. He had the most gentle brown eyes.

Phil Trimbath

James P. Kennedy, Lennon played lead on a half a dozen tunes, Harrison was the lead guitarist. Look it up.

Karin Johansson

Louise., it actually was John. They Haven't done real research for this question.

Karin Johansson

skclary, and it was Lennon.

Mr.LaFaye

John Lennon was the Beatles rhythm guitarist and lead singer. Still the greatest band ever. No one will ever have an impact on any aspect of life as The Beatles did.