To be clear, this post is not an attempt to settle this timeless and endless debate once and for all. Even the most entry-level Beatles historian can make a sound argument in favor of Lennon's social impact or McCartney's musical prowess as evidence of one or the other's superiority within the band.
That said, in an argument that traditionally turns into a Lennon-McCartney showdown -- sorry, Ringo -- Surge Desk helps you play the contrarian with five reasons George Harrison might be the greatest Beatle ever. After all, it is the man's birthday.
1. "All Things Must Pass"
With more than 6 million copies sold, Harrison's 1970 triple album "All Things Must Pass" tops Lennon's "Double Fantasy" and McCartney's "Band on the Run" as the best-selling post-Beatles solo effort by any member of the Fab Four.
Here's the single, "My Sweet Lord":
2. iTunes says it all
When Apple finally introduced the Beatles' discography to iTunes on Nov. 17, 2010, the Harrison-penned "Here Comes the Sun," from 1969's "Abbey Road," was the most downloaded individual track of any Beatles single offering.
3. He was once the most popular Beatle
OK, that's a tough call -- but according to polls taken at the time of the Beatles' "Ed Sullivan Show" debut in 1964, Harrison actually ranked as the most popular group member among American audiences.
4. He organized the Concert for Bangladesh
On Aug. 1, 1971, 40,000 fans packed New York City's Madison Square Garden for what would go down as one of the greatest rock concerts of all time. Organized by Harrison and Ravi Shankar as a benefit concert for refugees in Bangladesh, the Concert for Bangladesh featured guest appearances from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr. In the end, the performance set the standard for benefit shows, raising more than $15 million for UNICEF.
5. He wrote "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Although Harrison's songwriting credits for the Beatles fall short of Lennon and McCartney's in terms of quantity, stellar offerings like "Here Comes the Sun," "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" rank among any of the band's greatest hits.
Seriously, does it get any better than this?
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