George Best, the iconic Northern Ireland international, was the inspiration behind The Wedding Present's 1987 debut album, titled *George Best*.
The album's cover features a picture of Best, taken from a sports picture agency, which the band's frontman, David Gedge, thought would make a great LP sleeve.
What happened?
The Wedding Present, a Leeds-based indie rock band, chose to pay tribute to their sporting hero, George Best, by naming their debut album after him.
Gedge, born in 1960, grew up in Manchester and was a Manchester United supporter, idolizing Best during the peak of his playing career.
Best's slick playing style and image as a beer-drinking, model-courting socialite with long hair and striking fashion sense made him a cultural icon.
Why it matters for George Best
The Wedding Present's tribute to George Best highlights the significant impact he had on popular culture, extending beyond the football pitch.
Gedge has stated that Best was a massive influence on him, and the album title was a nod to this cultural phenomenon.
The band even managed to get Best to accompany them for a promotional photoshoot, showcasing the connection between music and football.
What comes next?
The Wedding Present's debut album, *George Best*, was released in 1987, featuring a picture of the legendary footballer on the cover.
Gedge has explained that the decision to use Best's image was not just a quirky choice, but a genuine tribute to their sporting hero.
The album's title and artwork have become iconic in their own right, symbolizing the intersection of music and football.
And the story behind the album's title has been revealed in a 2014 interview with *Brighton's Finest*, where Gedge discussed the inspiration behind the album.
But the tribute was not without its challenges, as some fans mistakenly thought that Best had released an album called *The Wedding Present*.
So the band's decision to pay tribute to George Best was a bold move, one that has become an enduring part of their legacy.
The Wedding Present's music has been described as jangle-pop, a genre that may seem unrelated to football, but the band's tribute to George Best highlights the unexpected connections between music and sport.
Gedge has said that the album title was simply a tribute to his childhood hero, and not a reference to any specific song or theme on the album.
The album *George Best* was released on October 1987, and has since become a cult classic, with the title and artwork remaining a testament to the band's admiration for the legendary footballer.