On the bookshelf, #2008-35

Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, by Pattie Boyd

From the bn.com site:

An iconic figure of the 1960s and ’70s, Pattie Boyd breaks a forty-year silence in Wonderful Tonight, and tells the story of how she found herself bound to two of the most addictive, promiscuous musical geniuses of the twentieth century and became the most famous muse in the history of rock and roll.

She met the Beatles in 1964 when she was cast as a schoolgirl in A Hard Day’s Night. Ten days later a smitten George Harrison proposed. For twenty-year-old Pattie Boyd, it was the beginning of an unimaginably rich and complex life as she was welcomed into the Beatles inner circle—a circle that included Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Jeff Beck, and a veritable who’s who of rock musicians. She describes the dynamics of the group, the friendships, the tensions, the musicmaking, and the weird and wonderful memories she has of Paul and Linda, Cynthia and John, Ringo and Maureen, and especially the years with her husband, George.

It was a sweet, turbulent life, but one that would take an unexpected turn, starting with a simple note from Eric Clapton that began “dearest l.” It was the most passionate letter anyone had ever written her.

For the first time Pattie Boyd, former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, a high-profile model whose face epitomized the swinging London scene of the 1960s, a woman who inspired Harrison’s song“Something” and Clapton’s anthem “Layla,” has decided to write a book that is rich and raw, funny and heartbreaking—and totally honest and open and breathtaking. Here is the truth, here is what happened, here is the story you’ve been waiting for.

I have to admit, I read this book because I have always been smitten by the Beatles, George in particular. I mean, look at this photo. Is he not the pretty one? He was one of the most beautiful people to ever walk the planet, back in the day. Take a look at this photo and tell me he wasn’t. And oh yeah, that is Pattie with him.

So back to Pattie. She and George had a remarkable love that lasted even after they decided they couldn’t live together any longer. George must have been an amazing person because not only did he continue to take care of Pattie after she left him for Eric Clapton, he continued to be friends with Clapton too. Pattie felt the same for him. They loved each other in a way that made them want the best for each other, regardless of the hurt it may cause themselves.

She and Eric, however, were passionate but I’m not sure you could call it love. He treated her pretty badly and used manipulation to keep her from leaving. In the end, when she finally found the strength to leave, I cheered for her. Although, again, she had something about her that kept him in her life as well. They remain friends to this day.

This is a pretty interesting look at the inside lives of two of the world’s most talented and beloved musicians, as well as one of it’s more popular models. It gives you perspective on what it really means to be famous and pampered and shows that even a glamorous life can be lonely and miserable at times. Luckily, Pattie Boyd learned that too and is now enjoying a life that is her own. And has decades of amazing memories besides.