Yanka Rupkina and George Harrison, backstage at Royal Festival Hall after a performance of Balkana: The Music of Bulgaria, dated June 21, 1988 on the press photo; photo courtesy of Hannibal Records, via Beatles Photo Blog.
“This [Bulgarian choir] is the kind of music that never reaches a lot of people because nobody will ever play it, but at the same time I think we’d be a much better world if everybody was forced to listen to it. So, we’ll just play a little bit of this thing, and it may also make listeners understand me a little bit more.” - George Harrison, Rockline, February 10, 1988 “For me an unforgettable moment was our concert at the Royal Festival Hall, in London, when George Harrison arrived with friends from California. This was a most emotional encounter — one of the Beatles had come to listen to me — and to our Bulgarian folk songs.” - Yanka Rupkina, The Anglo Balkan Blog, 2017 “The Bulgarian choir, [George] loved them. In fact, they came and played for us once.” - Olivia Harrison, NPR Fresh Air, March 18, 2004 Beatlefan magazine (March/April 2004 issue) reported that Vicki Brown (Joe’s wife) also loved the choir, but was too ill to attend the concert they would be giving at Friar Park. George and Olivia consequently invited Vicki and her daughter, Sam, to the afternoon soundcheck. “My favorite music at the moment is this Bulgarian choir. It’s called The Mysterious Voices of Bulgaria and it’s the most brilliant vocals, it’s quite beautiful.” - George Harrison, Wogan, February 12, 1988 (x)
