The Face that Sold a Million Records

Every once in a while, usually as part of some work-related get-acquainted exercise, I’m asked the question, "If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?"  This gets tiresome quickly, especially when people give answers based on how they wish to be perceived: Leonardo DaVinci or Thomas Jefferson, for example.  The last time I did this exercise, I answered "Nicole Brown Simpson", specifically so that I could ask her the identity of her murderer.

I have a new answer: Pattie Boyd, a veritable Helen of Troy of rock music.  Courtesy of being the paramour of George Harrison and Eric Clapton, she apparently inspired numerous songs, foremost among them "Something", "Layla", and "Wonderful Tonight".  She left her first husband (Harrison) for his best friend (Clapton), and yet the friends’ relationship survived.  (To be fair, neither of them were known for being faithful to her.)

I want to know what the fuss is about.  Is Ms. Boyd a magical muse or just in the right place at the right time?

P.S.  If you’re a fan of Harrison’s Beatles-era music, you should check out the Anthology 3 two-disc set.  His demo versions of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something" are superior to the better-known Beatles’ versions.