LONDON — Pattie Boyd was at the epicenter of the Swinging ’60s, but not always the center of attention.
Pattie Boyd stands next to the original artwork by E. Frandsen De Schomberg that was used for the cover of Derek and The Dominos’ album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” part of The Pattie Boyd Collection at Christie's in London.
Alberto Pezzali, Associated Press
The model and photographer, who was often in the shadow of her rock icon husbands George Harrison and Eric Clapton , comes into sharp focus through a trove of letters, photos and other items she is selling at Christie’s auction house.
The collection, which went on public display at Christie’s London headquarters on Friday, provides a glimpse into the heart of the 1960s and ’70s counterculture. The 111 lots up for sale include affectionate letters from both Harrison and Clapton, alongside clothing, jewelry, drawings and photographs — some of Boyd, and some by her.
If Boyd, 79, feels a pang at parting with them, she isn’t saying.
“I look back without emotion,” she said. “I can feel slightly sentimental, but not emotional.
“I’ve lived with all of these photographs and objects for so long — 40, 50 years,” she said. “I want other people to enjoy them.”
A Christie's staffer holds a handwritten note from George Harrison, part of The Pattie Boyd Collection being sold at the auction house.
Alberto Pezzali, Associated Press
Boyd is famous as a musicians’ muse, inspiration for The Beatles’ song “Something,” composed for her by Harrison, as well as for Clapton’s scorching “Layla” and sweet “Wonderful Tonight.”
The auction includes love letters from Clapton, written while Boyd was married to Harrison, and the original cover artwork for Derek and The Dominos’ 1970 album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” a painting of a blond model who reminded Clapton of Boyd. The painting is estimated to sell for between $51,000 and $76,000.
Harrison’s handwritten lyrics for the song “Mystical One” are on offer with an estimated price of $38,000 to $63,000.
Boyd is an accomplished photographer, and the sale includes both large-scale portraits and informal Polaroids of Harrison, Clapton and other musicians, including Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.
“This is very much a snapshot of her life,” said Christie’s head of sale Adrian Hume-Sayer.
Hume-Sayer said the appetite for 1960s music memorabilia is growing, even as undiscovered material becomes scarcer year by year.
“This is quite unusual because it’s primary provenance,” he said. “A lot of the material out there is on the secondary market … but here you’ve got it coming directly from the person who was there. Pattie’s had this all of her life.
A dress from The Pattie Boyd Collection is among a trove of letters, photos and other items the iconic musicians' muse is selling at Christie’s auction house in London.
Alberto Pezzali, Associated Press
“It’s that visceral link with (a) moment that means so much to so many people that makes it so interesting.”
Taken as a whole, the collection feels both personal and revealing.
In one room is a psychedelic acid green and pink minidress worn by Boyd in the 1960s. In another stands an ornate grandfather clock that was a wedding present to Boyd and Harrison from Beatles manager Brian Epstein in 1966.
There are handwritten letters from Harrison — “say hello to Hubby!” — and a handmade Christmas card he gave Boyd in 1968.
Letters and postcards from Clapton — in extremely elegant handwriting — provide snapshots from the rock star life. In one he says he's off to the Caribbean island of Montserrat “to work on Sting’s album.” Another reveals: “Here I am in South America. Everybody’s got dodgy tummies.”
Harrison and Boyd divorced in 1977, and he died in 2001. In a 2007 memoir, Boyd described Harrison as her soulmate.
Her turbulent 10-year marriage to Clapton, which ended in 1989, was marred — as the musician later acknowledged — by his alcoholism.
Boyd says she feels no bitterness.
Pattie Boyd with dresses she is selling through Christie's in London. Boyd is famous as a musicians' muse, inspiration for The Beatles’ song “Something,” composed for her by George Harrison, as well as for Eric Clapton’s scorching “Layla” and sweet "Wonderful Tonight.”
Alberto Pezzali, Associated Press
“That was almost like another lifetime ago,” she said. “And he has his own life and I have my own life. But this is just a bit of history that we shared.”
Mostly, she recalls the “great fun” of the 1960s, a seismic era whose creative influence rumbles across the decades.
“Sometimes I can be walking down a street somewhere in London, and I see a girl wearing what I would have worn in the ’60s,” she said. “I mean, how many years ago was that? And it just makes me smile.”
The Pattie Boyd collection is on display at Christie’s until March 21. Online bidding closes March 22.
#1 rock songs of the 1960s
These were the top rock songs of the '60s
The 1960s marked an unquestionable evolution—and revolution—in rock music. The British Invasion made its mark in this decade, with bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who were inspired by American artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry. They, along with their American counterparts, the Beach Boys, incorporated catchy melodies and lyrics to redefine pop music. These bands became more experimental later on, joining groups like Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd that incorporated psychedelic experiences in their music.
In the second half of this epic decade in rock came poetic lyrics from Jim Morrison of the Doors, boundary-pushing stage performances from guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, and social activism from folk-rock artists like Bob Dylan. These elements culminated in Woodstock in 1969, encapsulating the decade's fusion of social and music evolution. Nearly half a million people drove to upstate New York to revel in this now-legendary event held at the cusp of another new decade. Concertgoers sat through three days of rain and lightning to see an all-star lineup including, but not limited to, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joan Baez, the Grateful Dead, and Sly and the Family Stone, setting a blueprint for festivals dominating the music industry today.
With so many influential tracks from this time period, Stacker looked at the biggest #1 rock songs of the 1960s that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks or more, then filtered it down to the rock genre, according to MusicBrainz , an open music encyclopedia via the University of Waterloo .
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Mrs. Robinson
- Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
- Date entered at #1: June 1, 1968
- Weeks at #1: 3
Not only is "Mrs. Robinson" one of Simon & Garfunkel's most notable songs, it became synonymous with the 1968 classic film "The Graduate." The catchy melody and lyrics won the duo their first Grammy. Before splitting in 1970, the duo produced numerous hits like "Cecilia," "The Sound of Silence," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Jeff Hochberg // Getty Images
Hello, Goodbye
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 30, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 3
Released as a nonalbum single in 1967, "Hello Goodbye" became the Beatles' 15th #1 hit. The song leaves fans polarized—while some praise the pop single, some say due to it being chosen over "I Am the Walrus" for an A-side record, it hampered experimentation for the Beatles and put them on the path for breakup .
Mark and Colleen Hayward // Getty Images
Soldier Boy
- Artist: The Shirelles
- Date entered at #1: May 5, 1962
- Weeks at #1: 3
"Soldier Boy" is written from the point of view of a woman who promises to stay loyal to her boyfriend, who has gone off to war. It's one of the many Brill Building songs that dominated the charts in the late '50s and early '60s. The Shirelles went on to have multiple hits and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Help!
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 4, 1965
- Weeks at #1: 3
From the same-titled album and movie, "Help!" showed the band's struggle with fame . Written primarily by John Lennon, he considered it among his favorite Beatles songs . It demonstrated the group's willingness to dive deep into their emotions, which became a more prominent theme in future work.
Bettmann // Getty Images
Telstar
- Artist: The Tornados
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 22, 1962
- Weeks at #1: 3
Named after a telescope, "Telstar" was one of the first examples of electronic rock music. The use of synthesizers and futuristic sounds set a foundation of experimental rock for bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson. Tornados leader Joe Meek couldn't collect royalties from the single, as a plagiarism lawsuit blocked him until he died in 1967.
John Pratt // Getty Images
Hey Paula
- Artist: Paul & Paula
- Date entered at #1: Feb. 9, 1963
- Weeks at #1: 3
Paul & Paula hit the top of the charts with their first single, "Hey Paula," a ballad about a young couple's relationship. The conversational tune made it a memorable example of '60s ballads. Ray Hildebrand (Paul), who died in 2023, had decided to step away from the limelight , while Jill Jackson (Paula) still performs.
GAB Archive // Getty Images
Pony Time
- Artist: Chubby Checker
- Date entered at #1: Feb. 27, 1961
- Weeks at #1: 3
Capitalizing on the dance craze he started with "The Twist," Chubby Checker released "Pony Time." Its explicit instructions were unique for a dance song. It was originally written by Don Covay and John Berry to be performed by the former, but Checker's version established him as a dance floor icon.
Georg Göbel // Getty Images
Running Bear
- Artist: Johnny Preston
- Date entered at #1: Jan. 18, 1960
- Weeks at #1: 3
Johnny Preston's "Running Bear" was written by his friend Jiles Perry Richardson, best known as "The Big Bopper." Though one of the most notable rockabilly songs, it's often criticized for appropriating tribal war chants throughout the song.
Nicky J. Sims // Getty Images
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- Artist: The Tokens
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 18, 1961
- Weeks at #1: 3
Although "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was a sleeper hit in the United States, many younger audiences will recognize it from "The Lion King" soundtrack. It's an English adaptation of "Mbube," a Zulu song written and performed by Solomon Linda. The artist's estate fought American publishers for years to earn royalties for the song.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Winchester Cathedral
- Artist: The New Vaudeville Band
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 3, 1966
- Weeks at #1: 3
Coming from the British Music Hall era, "Winchester Cathedral" was performed by the New Vaudeville Band, formed by songwriter Geoff Stephens for the sole purpose of recording this song. It won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Rock & Roll Recording in 1967, but many question if it's a true rock 'n' roll song.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Blue Velvet
- Artist: Bobby Vinton
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 21, 1963
- Weeks at #1: 3
"Blue Velvet" was originally written and composed by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950 and recorded by Tony Bennett in 1951, but it became a #1 hit when Bobby Vinton sang it in 1963. It's been covered multiple times, most recently by Lana Del Rey in 2012. Though this was his biggest hit, Vinton continued to have success as a musician and actor throughout his career .
Paul Natkin // Getty Images
Oh, Pretty Woman
- Artist: Roy Orbison and the Candy Men
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 26, 1964
- Weeks at #1: 3
Recognized for its catchy guitar intro, "Oh, Pretty Woman" is singer Roy Orbison's best-known song. It posthumously won Orbison a Grammy in 1991 for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a man, with its pop culture impact going far beyond Orbison—it became popular again in 1990 as part of the "Pretty Woman" film soundtrack.
H V Drees // Getty Images
I Feel Fine
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 26, 1964
- Weeks at #1: 3
"I Feel Fine" made history in 1964 as the first song to intentionally incorporate guitar feedback in a song. Inspired by song riffs by Bobby Parker and Ray Charles, the song was written by John Lennon between takes of "Eight Days a Week" and was released as an A-side to "She's a Woman," becoming the group's sixth #1 single that year .
Fox Photos // Getty Images
We Can Work It Out
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Jan. 8, 1966
- Weeks at #1: 3
Released in 1965 as a double A-side single with "Day Tripper," "We Can Work It Out" is a true John Lennon-Paul McCartney collaboration, with McCartney's optimistic verses contrasting with Lennon's realistic chorus. It's a popular cover, most notably performed by Stevie Wonder , whose 1971 rendition reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Central Press // Getty Images
Light My Fire
- Artist: The Doors
- Date entered at #1: July 29, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 3
"Light My Fire" is one of the most familiar songs of the psychedelic rock era. As the Doors' second single, it became their highest charting hit. Alongside its lyrical content and delivery by frontman Jim Morrison, it's noted for its structure, with a piano intro and solo by Ray Manzarek. Though Morrison died in 1971, and the group disbanded in 1973, Morrison's lyrics inspired a new generation of rock stars .
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Happy Together
- Artist: The Turtles
- Date entered at #1: March 25, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 3
"Happy Together" became the Turtles' first and only chart-topper. Similar in spirit to the love songs performed by boy bands earlier in the decade, it slices in some folk and psychedelic elements that were emerging at that time. The group had a few more Top 40 hits before their dissolution in 1970.
Ivan Keeman // Getty Images
Everyday People
- Artist: Sly and the Family Stone
- Date entered at #1: Feb. 15, 1969
- Weeks at #1: 4
Sly and the Family Stone's impact on popular music can't be unstated, and their 1969 hit "Everyday People" is no different, becoming an anthem of unity. The song was one of the first to combine funk, rock, and soul elements. Although the original lineup broke up in 1975, Sly and the Family Stone influenced many artists .
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Runaway
- Artist: Del Shannon
- Date entered at #1: April 24, 1961
- Weeks at #1: 4
"Runaway" established Del Shannon as a one-hit wonder. Shannon's falsetto voice and keyboard riff make it a popular cover for bands like the Traveling Wilburys and Misfits. Collaborating with numerous musicians until he died in 1990, Shannon was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Dizzy
- Artist: Tommy Roe
- Date entered at #1: March 15, 1969
- Weeks at #1: 4
An international hit, "Dizzy" takes singer Tommy Roe's bubble pop appeal and combines it with an orchestral arrangement. It's one of the most famous songs performed by Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew. After five more hits and nearly five decades of performing, Roe announced his retirement in 2018 .
PA Images // Getty Images
Yesterday
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Oct. 9, 1965
- Weeks at #1: 4
The Beatles' song "Yesterday" from their 1965 album "Help!" showcased bassist Paul McCartney's potential as a solo artist. The song is a departure from the group's rock 'n' roll sound, opting for an acoustic guitar and string quartet arrangement. It's proved popular over time, becoming one of the most covered songs ever .
Daily Mirror // Getty Images
Daydream Believer
- Artist: The Monkees
- Date entered at #1: Dec. 2, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 4
An upbeat song despite singer Davy Jones' dismay in its intro , "Daydream Believer" became the Monkees' third and last #1 hit. Written by John Stewart, it was part of a song trilogy about suburban life. After a string of hits in the 1960s and a sitcom, the group broke up in the 1970s, only reuniting on occasion. As of September 2023, Micky Dolenz is the only surviving member.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
The Letter
- Artist: The Box Tops
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 23, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 4
A mix of soul and rock, "The Letter" proved the Box Tops' first and most successful single. The introduction of an airplane sound bite is one of the first instances of a sample, setting Alex Chilton apart as a songwriting icon. The group broke up in 1970, only participating in a few reunions.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Windy
- Artist: The Association
- Date entered at #1: July 1, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 4
The Association's "Windy," released in 1967, was a watershed moment for soft rock music. Ruthann Friedman, a friend of the group, claimed she wrote it in 20 minutes—only so she could pay the rent . Though this was their last major hit , the group continues to tour.
Frank Lennon // Getty Images
L'amour est bleu
- Artist: Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra
- Date entered at #1: Feb. 10, 1968
- Weeks at #1: 5
The French version of "Love is Blue" was originally written by André Popp and Pierre Cour. As a cover of the Vicky Leandros' hit, Paul Mauriat recorded the popular instrumental version to become the first French artist to top the Billboard Hot 100. Expanding a pop band to a more lush arrangement, it opened the door for other instrumental acts in the 1960s. Mauriat continued touring until his retirement in 1998 .
Keystone-France // Getty Images
Sherry
- Artist: The Four Seasons
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 15, 1962
- Weeks at #1: 5
The Four Seasons' "Sherry" cast the Jersey boys into the limelight. Though it's unclear who group member Bob Gaudio wrote the song for , listeners can relate to the feeling of infatuation. The energetic vocals and doo-wop harmonies landed the Four Seasons in music history and launched frontman Frankie Valli into superstardom.
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
Sugar Shack
- Artist: Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
- Date entered at #1: Oct. 12, 1963
- Weeks at #1: 5
Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs' carefree "Sugar Shack" hit the charts in 1963, becoming popular on the dance floor and the radio. Recorded in Clovis, New Mexico, Keith McCormack and his aunt Beulah Faye Voss wrote this song over breakfast . The group members became popular studio musicians for folk artists later in their careers.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
The Ballad of the Green Berets
- Artist: Barry Sadler
- Date entered at #1: March 5, 1966
- Weeks at #1: 5
This patriotic ballad proved to be a crossover hit on the easy listening and country charts, "The Ballad of the Green Berets" reflected how many felt during the decade's social and political climate. Then-Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler wrote the song about James Gabriel Jr. , the first Special Forces and Native Hawaiian killed in the Vietnam War.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images
Get Back
- Artist: The Beatles with Billy Preston
- Date entered at #1: May 24, 1969
- Weeks at #1: 5
After years of experimenting with different genres, the Beatles returned to their rock 'n' roll roots with 1969's "Get Back." Collaborating with legendary musician Billy Preston, the most notable performance of this song was on the roof of the group's Apple Corps building in London, the group's last live performance.
Art Zelin // Getty Images
Honey
- Artist: Bobby Goldsboro
- Date entered at #1: April 13, 1968
- Weeks at #1: 5
Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey" topped the pop and country charts in 1968 with its poignant story of the narrator's loss of his wife. The power of storytelling and personal emotions made this song popular at the time, but it hasn't aged well. Rolling Stone readers voted it the second-worst song of the 1960s for its outdated love tropes.
David Redfern // Getty Images
To Sir with Love
- Artist: Lulu
- Date entered at #1: Oct. 21, 1967
- Weeks at #1: 5
Featured in the film of the same name, "To Sir with Love" became the bestselling single of 1967. The uplifting and emotive vocals proved popular, with lyrics like "But how do you thank someone/ Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?" making the song a symbol for appreciating educators. Lulu has stayed in the spotlight as a musician and actor, earning her a CBE for services to music, entertainment, and charity in 2021 .
Ivan Keeman // Getty Images
Hey Jude
- Artist: The Beatles
- Date entered at #1: Sept. 28, 1968
- Weeks at #1: 9
Released in 1968, "Hey Jude" showcased Paul McCartney's evolution as a songwriter. Written for bandmate John Lennon's son Julian , the song departs from a traditional pop structure, ending with a sing-along chorus that clocks the song at seven minutes. The themes of positivity and togetherness have turned this into a classic ballad.
Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Copy editing by Lois Hince. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
John Pratt // Getty Images
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