Paul McCartney Recalls How George Harrison Got Zapped in the Butt by a Battery While They Were Hitchhiking

**Paul McCartney Shares Humorous Hitchhiking Tale with George Harrison on Podcast**

In a recent episode of *The Rest Is History* podcast, Paul McCartney recounted an amusing anecdote from his teenage years, involving none other than the late George Harrison. The two musical legends, who later found fame as members of The Beatles, had a rather memorable hitchhiking adventure while journeying to Wales.

McCartney, who is now 83, shared that their travels involved hitchhiking down south. Delving into the somewhat quirky nature of their experience, he explained that they managed to catch a lift on a milk float—an unusual ride choice, given that it was powered by electricity. “Those were the only vehicles we knew that were electric, [and it] went about four miles an hour, but it was a lift, so we were quite happy,” he noted during the podcast, aired on 14 May.

The milk float’s arrangement was quite interesting, as McCartney detailed. The driver sat on the right side of the vehicle, with the battery situated in the middle, while George found himself seated on the battery. At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, that was soon to change.

While they were enjoying their slow ride, McCartney recalled a sudden shock that startled Harrison. “We’re getting our lift, and then suddenly ‘Bang!’ And he jumps up,” McCartney explained. He described how Harrison’s jeans, which had a zip pocket at the back, inadvertently connected with the battery, leading to an unexpected jolt. “The zip connected up and the battery had given him a bolt,” McCartney said, as he recounted Harrison’s response, “Oh bloody hell!”

The incident didn’t end there, as McCartney portrayed a rather light-hearted exchange that followed. After arriving at their B&B, Harrison humorously revealed the aftermath of the shock, displaying a sizable “zip tattoo” on his backside. McCartney remarked on this, underlining the jovial nature of their camaraderie during their younger years.

Interestingly, this story stayed in McCartney’s memory over the years, and he later discussed it with Harrison’s widow, Olivia. She expressed how much she appreciated the tale, though she assumed it was McCartney who had received the zap instead. “I said, ‘It wasn’t me, it was George!’ But I think it’s amazing the way memory does that. It can just morph,” he reflected on the amusing misunderstanding.

In a previous interview with NPR’s *All Things Considered* in 2020, McCartney had indicated that he often felt a connection to Harrison through a tree that the late guitarist had gifted him prior to his passing. McCartney described the tree as a big fir, located by his gate, and recounted how he greeted it one morning by saying, “Hi, George.” This sentiment brought back memories of their hitchhiking days together, reinforcing a connection that has endured even after Harrison’s death in 2001.

As McCartney reflected, “As the years go by, every time I look at it, I go, ‘That’s the tree George gave me.’ George has entered that tree for me. I hope he’s happy with that.” His reminiscences not only echo a deep friendship but also serve as a testament to the enduring bonds that can outlast even the passage of time.

Adding another layer to this emerging narrative, McCartney is preparing to release his latest solo album, *The Boys of Dungeon Lane*, on 29 May. This forthcoming project reportedly draws inspiration from various experiences throughout his life, including the hitchhiking adventure with Harrison.

The warmth of their friendship, filled with laughter and shared experiences, continues to resonate through McCartney’s stories, reminding fans of the legacy the Beatles left behind. As he embarks on a new musical journey, one can only hope that the memories of those cherished moments inspire future creativity from the iconic musician.