GEORGE'S NEW GUITAR (RICKENBACKER 360/12) – Weird Moments in Beatles History #9

Here’s the story of the time George Harrison got a brand new, FREE guitar at a press conference – his second Rickenbacker 360/12. Two employees of B-Sharp Music, a local music store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, come up with the crazy idea to gift George Harrison a brand new guitar. They secure the last spot at the WDGY press conference and present George with a brand new guitar – watch the moment it happens!

ADDITIONAL NOTES

It’s often reported that Rickenbacker custom-made this guitar for George, but the story about the Remo Four seeing it in the store (or a picture of it in a catalog?) seems to contradict this. In addition, Ron Butwin’s version makes it sound like the guitar was already in their store’s inventory. According to Ron, “When the Remo Four – another English group – were in town a few weeks back [Randy Resnick and I] showed them the guitar when they visited our store, and they flipped over it. The group knew the Beatles, and one of the fellows said that George Harrison would love to have a guitar like this. I decided that Randy and I should present it to him when he came to town, with our thanks to the Beatles for causing the guitar business to boom.” (https://twincitiesmusichighlights.net...)
It’s also reported this guitar was “last spotted” in March 1969, but I’m not so sure about this. I don’t see any proof!
The serial # probably wouldn’t help track this guitar down because, if it was stolen, on Rickenbackers it's just a metal plate that would’ve been removed right away. Still, it should start with an E (1965 model) or a D (1964 model).

CORRECTIONS

I said "A Hard Day's Night and Ticket to Ride" were on the setlist for the '65 tour. Marcelo points out that Harrison only used the Rick for "A Hard Day's Night" – he played "Ticket to Ride" with his Gretsches (likely because of the guitar fills!)

LINKS

THE BEATLES 1965 UK TOUR:    • THE BEATLES' LAST UK TOUR: DECEMBER 1965 –...  
THE BEATLES BOOK PHOTO LIBRARY: http://www.beatlesbookphotolibrary.com
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