Paul McCartney and George Harrison first met in 1954 when they were both students at the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, a grammar school in Liverpool. Paul was about a year older than George. They didn’t become friends right away, but they were aware of each other.

Their real connection began later, through their mutual interest in music. George had been teaching himself to play the guitar, just like Paul. Paul had already joined John Lennon's skiffle group, The Quarrymen, in 1957, and soon after, George and Paul started spending more time together, sharing tips and tricks for playing guitar.

The key moment in their friendship happened on a bus ride in Liverpool. George and Paul both lived in the Speke area, and they would often ride the same bus home from school. During one of these bus rides, Paul noticed that George was carrying a guitar, and the two began talking more seriously about their shared passion for music.

George impressed Paul by playing “Raunchy,” an instrumental hit by Bill Justis, on the guitar. Paul was struck by George’s skill, even though George was only 14 at the time (Paul was 15). It was clear that George was already an excellent guitarist, and Paul began to think of him as a potential addition to The Quarrymen.

Paul introduced George to John Lennon in 1958, bringing him along to a Quarrymen rehearsal. At first, John was hesitant about letting George join because he thought George was too young—George was still just a teenager and looked even younger than his age. However, George’s talent on the guitar eventually won John over.

One famous anecdote says that George sealed the deal by playing “Raunchy” once again for John on a bus ride or at a rehearsal. John was reportedly impressed by George’s confident playing and finally agreed to let him join the group. By early 1958, George Harrison became a member of The Quarrymen, which would later evolve into The Beatles.

This meeting and early friendship between George and Paul laid the foundation for one of the most important partnerships in rock history. Together with John Lennon and later Ringo Starr, they would go on to change the face of music forever.