Guardian journalist John Harris has shared how music, particularly the Beatles, helped him connect with his autistic son James. In a new podcast, Harris explains that James, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, found emotional resonance in songs like 'I Am the Walrus' by the Beatles and 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk.
Harris, author of the book Maybe I’m Amazed: A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs, told Helen Pidd that music became a powerful tool for bonding. 'He hears emotion in music. I know that for a fact,' Harris said, reflecting on how playing songs repeatedly helped James express himself.
The podcast also visits Sound Lab, a music class where James plays instruments alongside other autistic and learning-disabled young people. Harris describes a transformative moment at the Bluedot festival, where James saw Kraftwerk perform. 'Ginny, my partner, put her hand on James’s chest, and his heart was beating so fast... he was having this sort of mystical experience,' Harris recalled.
Harris hopes his story challenges stereotypes about autism and highlights the unique ways autistic individuals experience music. 'I remember driving back through the Cheshire countryside, thinking that’s the best gig I’ll ever see,' he added.
