Apple Records 45 RPM single record for ‘My Sweet Lord / What a Life’ by George Harrison, who has signed on the B-side in red ballpoint. In fine condition. The consignor notes that the autograph was obtained at Harrison’s home at Friar Park in Henley-On-Thames, England, by a nun of the Salesian Order S.D.B, who had occupied the estate before its purchase by Harrison. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, a newspaper clipping detailing the purchase, and two vintage postcards of Friar Park.
A desirable vintage-signed record — ‘My Sweet Lord’ was released in November 1970 as part of Harrison’s triple album All Things Must Pass. Released as a single, Harrison's first as a solo artist, the song topped charts worldwide and was the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK. In America and Britain, the song was the first number-one single by an ex-Beatle.
Of additional interest is the B-side placement of Harrison’s signature, a curious choice given the significance of ‘My Sweet Lord’ as his album’s lead single. A possible explanation could be Harrison’s involvement in a copyright infringement case filed against him by Bright Tunes Music Corporation on February 10, 1971, which alleged that Harrison plagiarized the Ronnie Mack song ‘He’s So Fine,’ later recorded by The Chiffons. Given that the signature was obtained after Harrison moved into Friar Park (March 12, 1970), it seems plausible that news of an impending lawsuit may have already surfaced, resulting in an annoyed Harrison opting for the B-side. In 1976, Harrison was found to have subconsciously plagiarized the song, a verdict that had repercussions throughout the music industry and that cost him just under 1.6 million dollars.
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