All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton, and Other Assorted Love Songs

In this multimedia presentation, Ken Womack explores the genesis of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Eric Clapton's Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs during the summer of 1970. Particular attention will be devoted to the making of such classic songs as "My Sweet Lord" and "Layla," the notorious love triangle involving Pattie Boyd will be addressed.

Dr. Kenneth Womack is Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. He is the author or editor of more than 40 books, including Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles (2007), the Cambridge Companion to the Beatles (2009), The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four (2014), a multivolume study devoted to the life and work of Beatles producer George Martin, John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life, and All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton & Other Love Songs. His most recent Beatles-related book, the bestselling Living the Beatles Legend, traces the story of the band's road manager Mal Evans. People magazine feted the book as "a Holy Grail for fans, offering an extended look into the band," while Rolling Stone extolled it as "a fascinating and essential look at the Fab Four saga, starring the loyal Liverpool mate who went through the highest highs and lowest lows with them, always by their side, until his shocking death." Womack is also the author, along with his Monmouth University colleague Kenneth L. Campbell, of Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album-by-Album, Song-by-Song (2024), which was named an Outstanding Reference Source by the American Library Association's RUSA chapter.

The Music Culture writer for Salon and the host of their "Everything Fab Four" podcast, Womack has also served as a guest author at CultureSonar, Slate, Billboard, Variety, The Guardian, The Independent, NBC News, Time and USA Today. Over the years, he has shared his work with public libraries and community organizations across the world, including audiences at Princeton University, Harvard University, the Smithsonian Institution, the Grammy Museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the 92nd Street Y. 

6:00pm reception, 6:30pm lecture gratis. Advance registration required by Monday, September 29th at which point all reservations are final.