(Monday, December 9, 1974) — Dark Horse, the fifth studio album by ex-Beatle George Harrison, was released today in the U.S. (Dec. 20, 1974, in the UK).

The album, highly anticipated upon its release, became intertwined with Harrison’s controversial North American tour, which concluded just eight days ago.

The tour, featuring Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar, marked the first U.S. appearance by a former Beatle since 1966, but would face harsh criticism from prominent music reviewers.

Additionally, Harrison’s laryngitis during rehearsals led to scathing reviews, with some critics targeting both his performance and the overall presentation.

The album was written and recorded during a tumultuous period in Harrison’s personal life. Many of the songs reflect his separation from his first wife, Pattie Boyd, and his temporary retreat from the spiritual themes that had dominated his earlier work.

Sessions for the album began in Nov. 1973 at “F.P.S.H.O.T.” – Friar Park Studio, Henley-on-Thames, Harrison’s new home studio outside of London, and continued off and on until early October 1974.

During this time, Harrison poured much of his energy into founding his label, Dark Horse Records, and nurturing its first signings, including Shankar and the band Splinter, sometimes at the expense of his own music.

The album features a notable roster of guest musicians, including Tom Scott, Billy Preston, Willie Weeks, Andy Newmark, Jim Keltner, fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, Gary Wright, and Ron Wood.

The cover of Dark Horse, designed by Tom Wilkes, features a school photograph of Harrison from his time at the Liverpool Institute, superimposed on a Himalayan backdrop.