George Harrison, Dark Horse Tour, 1974. Photo: John Gellman

George Harrison, Dark Horse Tour, 1974. Photo: John Gellman

“This happened in Philadelphia, so long ago: December the 16th, 1974. […] I asked the bartender for a piece of paper to write a note. On the paper, I wrote: ‘George: Do a favour for me. Make some mention of the fact that today is Beethoven’s birthday. Do it for me. I am Eric Hall, formerly of Porchester Road, Norris Green, Liverpool 11.’ Then I walked all round the stadium to where one could see steps that led down into the darkness of backstage. Reaching the bottom of the steps, I beckoned to a giant security guard […]. I proffered the folded little note and said politely, ‘Would you see that George Harrison gets this, please?’ He took the note and ambled away from me… I thought, ‘Well, that’s the last I’ll hear of that…’ […] December 16th was a Monday that year. On the Wednesday, I was sitting in my office and the phone rang. It was Jim, a photographer friend. He said, ‘Eric! Were you at the Spectrum last night?!’ I said, 'For George Harrison? No, I was there Monday night.’ Jim said, 'Wow, man! You wouldn’t believe what happened! 'George Harrison came out and halfway through the show and he said, “My friend, Eric Hall from Norris Green back in my hometown is here tonight. He tells me it’s Beethoven’s birthday today. Here’s something for Eric,” and then he played the Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony! In the coolest rock style, dude!’ Jim yelled into the phone, 'I couldn’t believe my ears, ma-an!’ Whoa, neither could I. The amazing thing was that there was someone there that knew me. I would never have known of George’s generosity – or his pride in doing something for a Scouser so far from home! Some karma, huh? But then, you know, sometimes good karma is just being a Scouser. Eric Hall copyright 1998” - People’s Stories: Liverpool Lives, 7 Jun 2011 (x)