George Harrison’s Unseen Beatles-Era Photos Set for 2026 Release

Feature Photo: Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

For decades, the world has seen George Harrison through the lens of rock stardom: a pivotal force in The Beatles, a pioneering solo artist, and a spiritual seeker whose influence stretched from Liverpool to the banks of the Ganges. But a new book, set for release in Fall 2026 by Random House, will invite fans to view the “quiet Beatle” in an entirely new light—through his own eyes.

Titled The Third Eye, this forthcoming collection assembles more than 250 photographs taken by Harrison himself during the Beatles’ most transformative years, from 1963 to 1969. Many of these images have never before been published, offering a rare, intimate perspective from inside the eye of the hurricane that was Beatlemania. The photographs range from candid moments in the group’s native Liverpool to surreal scenes in India and backstage glimpses from the chaos of Shea Stadium, chronicling both the everyday and the extraordinary in the life of the world’s most famous band.

The project has been meticulously curated by Olivia Harrison, George’s widow, who described her motivation with characteristic candor: “I want to show people, from George’s unique photographic perspective during the Beatles’ early years, the moments when the whole of your life is ahead of you with unknowable possibilities.” Olivia’s personal touch ensures that The Third Eye is not merely a photo book, but a loving portrait of a man whose creativity and sensitivity were often hidden behind his modest public persona. The book will also feature George’s own words, giving readers direct access to his observations and reflections, further illuminating his perspective on fame, art, and friendship.

The importance of this release is underscored by the literary firepower behind it. Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, himself a former chancellor of the University of Liverpool, provides a deeply considered introduction, exploring both the social climate of 1960s Britain and the particular vision George brought to his photography. Acclaimed American short story writer George Saunders contributes a poetic epilogue, inviting readers to contemplate the personal and cultural legacy embedded in these images.

The Third Eye follows in the tradition of other Beatles-related photographic memoirs, including Ringo Starr’s Photograph (2015) and Paul McCartney’s acclaimed 1964: Eyes of the Storm (2023). Yet this collection is poised to offer something uniquely resonant, not only because so many of the images are being made public for the first time, but also because they reveal Harrison’s own creative process at a moment when the world was changing rapidly around him. The project brings to light snapshots that capture fleeting moments of humor, exhaustion, joy, and contemplation, all experienced in the company of Lennon, McCartney, and Starr as they shaped the soundtrack of a generation.

Harrison’s role as a visual documentarian might come as a surprise to some, but photography was just one of many artistic passions that defined his multi-faceted career. From his early fascination with Indian culture and meditation to his work as a film producer and philanthropist, George Harrison consistently sought new ways to express himself and foster creativity. His photographs, taken on tour buses, at recording studios, in hotel rooms, and on spiritual retreats, reflect the dualities that marked his life—public icon and private observer, pop sensation and philosophical seeker.

The announcement of The Third Eye arrives more than two decades after Harrison’s passing in 2001, but its resonance is immediate. Fans and historians alike are eager to see the Beatles’ story told not by an outsider’s lens, but by one of its most integral members—someone who was both participant and chronicler. With more than 250 black-and-white and color images, readers will witness not just the headline moments, but also the quiet, introspective intervals that made up the daily reality of a Beatle.

As the world prepares for this unprecedented visual journey, the release of The Third Eye also offers an opportunity to reflect on Harrison’s towering legacy—not only as a musician and songwriter, but as a creative spirit whose curiosity, wit, and generosity continue to inspire.

George Harrison: A Life Beyond the Spotlight

George Harrison first rose to prominence as the lead guitarist of The Beatles, crafting timeless riffs and intricate melodies that helped define the band’s sound. While initially overshadowed by the prolific partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Harrison’s songwriting matured rapidly, giving the world classics like “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” He played a key role in expanding The Beatles’ musical vocabulary, introducing Indian instrumentation and philosophy to the group’s palette and, in turn, to a global audience.

After the band’s breakup in 1970, Harrison achieved critical and commercial success as a solo artist, releasing the monumental triple album All Things Must Pass and organizing The Concert for Bangladesh, widely regarded as the first major benefit concert of its kind. Over the decades, he continued to collaborate with music’s elite, joining Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne in the Traveling Wilburys supergroup, while also nurturing new talent and exploring visual arts, film production, and spiritual activism.

Even now, George Harrison’s artistry remains undimmed. With The Third Eye, the world is granted another rare glimpse into the private universe of a man who changed music—and left behind a legacy that grows richer with every revelation.