Here Comes the Sun(shine State): Rare Photos Reveal George Harrison's Connection To Deerfield Beach

By Joanie Cox Henry

Picture this: November 1970. The Beatles have imploded, the world is reeling, and somewhere in sleepy Deerfield Beach, Florida, George Harrison is sipping something tropical while plotting his musical resurrection. The "quiet Beatle" had gone full witness protection, crashing at his aunt and uncle's place like some spiritual fugitive with a guitar case full of songs that Lennon and McCartney had foolishly ignored.

For decades, this chapter of rock history remained buried deeper than a B-side track.

But now, thanks to the Deerfield Beach Historical Society's detective work, we're getting an unprecedented peek behind the curtain with "George Was Here: The Best Kept Secret in Deerfield Beach." Eighteen never-before-seen photographs capture Harrison in his most vulnerable moment—post-Beatles, pre-greatness, somewhere between devastation and All Things Must Pass.

These aren't your typical paparazzi shots. Think less "celebrity caught off-guard" and more "artist finding his soul." Harrison, accompanied by wife Patti Boyd and Beatles confidant Mal Evans, used this Florida interlude to decompress from the biggest breakup in music history while secretly crafting what would become his masterpiece triple album.

The timing couldn't be more poetic. Just weeks after these photos were snapped, All Things Must Pass would prove that the supposed "third wheel" Beatle was ready to lap his former bandmates. The slide guitar genius who gave us "My Sweet Lord" was already brewing in that Deerfield Beach sunshine.

The exhibition runs November 7-8 at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, featuring an opening night performance by Dark Horses (yes, really) and the chance for locals to share their Harrison sightings on camera.

Sometimes the most revolutionary moments happen when nobody's watching—except, apparently, for one very prescient photographer.