Pattie Boyd, one of the most famous models of the 1960s, and the woman who came between 2 rock legends, George Harrison and Eric Clapton, has been responsible for the meaning behind some of the greatest love songs of all time.
Pattie Boyd. PHOTO: © NANCY SANDYS WALKER
Pattie had first met George Harrison from The Beatles on the set of their movie ‘A Hard Days Night’ in 1964 having being casted for a small role in the debut film. Pattie and George had connected almost straight away, however at the time, Pattie was dating Eric Swayne, a photographer, by which she declined a date with Harrison after him asking her out. Eventually, she said yes to his proposal after explaining to George that she was now in fact single, afterwards writing in her diary “George Harrison asked me out!!!!!”. The two were mutually compatible, and began dating almost immediately, marrying in January 21st 1966. Paul McCartney was George’s best man, and Brian Epstein, The Beatles manager, too was there. John Lennon and Ringo Starr were on holiday therefore couldn’t attend the wedding. The ceremony was held at Epsom register office, Surrey. The place wasn’t very glamorous. and the room was hot and stuffy, according to Pattie herself. Pattie wanted to be married in a church, but Epstein didn’t want to make it too fussy, and George said it had to be secret to defer from any chaos. Their wedding reception was at Kinfauns in Esher, their bungalow, then they attended a press conference the following day, and flew to Barbados for their honeymoon on the 8th February 1966.
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George Harrison and Eric Clapton were best friends, frequently collaborating on music together, and were personal companions. They met in 1964, when Eric was playing in the band The Yardbirds, and The Beatles had gone to see the group perform. Clapton and Harrison particularly hit it off as mates through their shared interest of the guitar, and of blues music, their friendship outlasting all problems faced in the upcoming years. Eric was involved in the music from The Beatles too, providing the iconic guitar solo for George’s written song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Eric and George would spend time together at each other’s homes, this is when Pattie and Eric were able to see each other more often, Clapton becoming increasingly fond of Boyd and was hopelessly infatuated by his unrequited love.
In 1970, during a party hosted by Robert Stigwood, manager of the Bee Gees, Eric confessed his love for Pattie Boyd in front of George Harrison. Pattie and Eric were talking in the garden at the party, and was then encountered by a confused George Harrison asking what the matter was. Eric blurts out “I’m in love with your wife” directly to George’s face, which took Pattie completely by surprise. This moment was a significant turning point in the intertwined relationships. What I find quite amusing is that George said the exact same thing to his bandmate Ringo Starr when he was having an affair with his wife, Maureen, what a turn of events! After Eric’s confession, George asked Pattie whether she was going home with Clapton or him, by which Pattie chose the latter. This did change the way Pattie was evaluating her choices, though Eric subsequently retreated from public and musical life.
Eric’s advances still continued, but from afar, through letters. He wrote to her from a cottage in Wales; Eric had started writing Pattie letters, although initially she just thought, for once particular letter, that it was one from a weird fan, and only realised it was by Clapton when he called her up to ask whether she got the letter. A few months after that one letter in 1970, Clapton wrote another on a title page torn from a copy of the novel Of Mice and Men. It said the following below;
“For nothing more than the pleasures past I would sacrifice my family, my god and my own existence … I am at the end of my mind … I have listened to the wind, I have watched the dark brooding clouds I have felt the earth beneath me for a sign, a gesture, but there is only silence. Why do you hesitate, am I a poor lover, am I ugly; am I too weak, too strong, do you know why? If you want me, take me, I am yours. If you don’t want me, please break the spell that binds me. To cage a wild animal is a sin, to tame him is divine. My love is yours.”
Eric refers to Pattie in the letter as Layla, which as we know is named after the iconic classic rock song; Pattie described how she was “taken aback by its beauty – but at the same time (she) felt guilt”. Clapton had reached the point of desperate obsession, inspiring him to write ‘Layla’, arguably one of the best songs I’ve ever listened to. The melodies, lyricism, and musical effect in the song is rather astounding, the wailing guitar and pleading lyrics composed to emphasise his compelling love towards Boyd. This was the first shameless attempt to woo her publicly after writing many letters to her. Initially, Pattie was concerned that the song would be instantly decoded by George, also by her friends and family, and by people around the world who would purchase Clapton’s single.
Each of the letters is estimated to sell for between £10,000 and £15,000. Boyd has sold all of the letters, postcards, and even the original painting that adorned the release of Layla. Clapton had gave Pattie his blessing to sell these items, the Emile Théodore Frandsen de Schomberg ‘Layla’ painting up for sale with an estimate of £60,000. Pattie describes the letters as “so desperate and passionate, a passion that blooms once in a lifetime”. Even if Pattie was to read the letters, it would make her sad as they are too painful in their beauty.
An anonymous love letter to Boyd from Clapton sent in 1970.
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Pattie didn’t see Eric for nearly four years after the rejection at Stigwood’s party, and Eric had sunk into a heroin addiction in this time. However, there was this one night when Clapton came to George’s Friar Park. Harrison laid out two electric guitars as if they were duelling swords, and the two essentially had a guitar battle, playing for two hours without saying a single word. This was a battle for Pattie Boyd’s heart, and Eric had better technique, so arguably “won” per-say, as George was trying too many intricate methods which made his guitar sound less proficient.
George and Pattie’s divorce was becoming increasingly more inevitable in the 70s. George became more distant and distracted after the breakup of The Beatles, turning to drugs, drinking, and lots of infidelities, including an affair with Ringo’s wife, Maureen, as previously discussed. George was retreating further into his mysticism, taking lots of cocaine which caused alternating mood swings and withdrawal, especially from Pattie, and he became very dismissive. Their marriage just wasn’t as functional as it once was, causing problems and confusion for Pattie. The lack of loyalty in the relationship wasn’t one sided, it in fact reciprocated on both sides, Pattie having an affair with the future The Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood. Eric kept coming over to Pattie and George’s house asking Pattie to run away with him, which Pattie thought was tempting, but it didn’t feel right to do. It was Pattie that left George in 1974, and their divorced was finalised in 1977. Pattie described the time of the early 70s as a ‘ludicrous and hateful life’, George’s changing behaviours and separation meant that Pattie felt almost unloved and unrecognised by her husband. Clapton’s repeated proclamations of love were now worth it.
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That summer of 1974, when Pattie made her decision to leave George was, in her words, an untenable time. Clapton and Boyd wedded in 1979 after 14 tumultuous years in knowing each other, a marriage lasting 9 years. The relationship between George and Eric remained strong, with Harrison even referring to him as his ‘husband-in-law’, and their shared history and healing over time meant that the two were still close friends and companions up until Harrison’s death. Talk about forgiveness and maturity! George and Pattie were still great friends as the two relied on each other, almost on a soul-like level; the two’s last photo (below) was taken at Friar Park.
George Harrison and Pattie Boyd last Picture together, Friar Park, 1991.
You would expect that after all these years of emotionally obsessing over her, Eric Clapton would treat Pattie with uttermost adoration and respect, but unfortunately this was not the case. The reality of life with Eric was different to what she expected. Their relationship dramatically shifted from blissful joy to a complete hell for Pattie. Their relationship faced lots of challenges, such as Eric’s substance abuse, particularly with alcohol, consuming lots of it during his tour. He began to drink a lot, and became increasingly erratic and emotionally distant. Alcohol became something he had to rely on, a dependent source for living. Verbal abuse was common in Pattie and Eric’s relationship, and as Eric’s drinking got worse, things just got out of control, and Pattie couldn’t live like that anymore.
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Infidelity was a primary reason for their relationship deterioration, Clapton having lots of extramarital affairs, later revealing that another woman, Lory Del Santo, was pregnant with his child in 1986, whilst being married to Pattie still. Pattie had problem conceiving in her relationship with George and then she wasn’t able to get pregnant with Eric either; she went to several doctors, trying IVF and even considering adoption, which Eric didn’t want at all. Whilst on tour, Eric would cheat on Pattie consistently, Boyd describing it as a “stab in the heart”. From a source who knew him in the 80s, “women just stuck to him like iron filings to a magnet”, and for those women, their lives would be permanently scarred. Eric thought that Pattie was to be immeasurably above and beyond him. Upon reading on Eric Clapton, his problems with substance abuse, infidelity, personal relationships, and violence, consequently formulated him as a troubled character who had no sense of sensitivity or decency towards others, his ego overpowering any degree of consciousness. Ultimately, Pattie and Eric’s relationship was just full of extremes; extreme heartbreak, lots of fun, lots of secrets.
Pattie also acknowledged and noticed key comparisons between George and Eric’s behaviour towards Pattie’s family. George Harrison was much more childlike, having little conversations and engaging with Pattie’s family, contrasting with Eric’s impolite mannerisms. Clapton wouldn’t speak to Boyd’s family when they would go for dinners, and left a very disrespectful impression as her significant other. There were many personal differences between George and Eric, Harrison being much more introspective and reserved, whereas Clapton was more openly passionate and intense; his volatile personality was outwardly expressed. Pattie appeared more inspired by Harrison, George’s admiration for spirituality sparked Pattie’s interest in Eastern philosophies, Clapton less so inspired Pattie to seek a better meaning to her life.
Although the Clapton/Boyd relationship was destructive, some incredible music on Eric’s behalf came out of being in love with Pattie, such as Wonderful Tonight. This song, written in 1976, was inspired by the moment where Clapton was waiting for Boyd to get ready for a party. The romantic lyrics and intimacy reflects on Eric’s admiration for his wife as she prepares for an evening out; the song arguably being one of Eric Clapton’s most renowned, famous ballads.
Pattie in recent years has reflected on her love life and the relationships she had with Clapton and Harrison. She herself feels flattered about the news of being a ‘muse’ to these two sensationally gifted musicians who were able to share the love of such a beautiful woman. In a 2018 interview, when asked about the love of her life, Pattie finalises her response with George Harrison being the man she believed she loved the most and that “he will always stay with (her)”.
When George died in 2001, Pattie reflected on him with great affection and respect. She remembered him fondly, admiring his musical talent, his quest for spiritual enlightenment, and his gentle nature. In her autobiography, she recounts their travels, shared interests, and cherishment of the meaning beyond the material world. Her sorrow and sense of loss is too reiterated, mourning the passing of a significant figure in her life; her feelings being mixed with nostalgia, sadness, and gratefulness.
The lives of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and of course, Pattie Boyd, are a testament to the creative inspirations behind the two musicians, and mark an impression of the depths of love, friendship, and lifelong bonds.
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