Remembering George Harrison

George Harrison was born February 25, 1943 in Liverpool, England. George was the youngest of 9 children to Harold and Louise. All the boys were named Harold and all the girls were named Louise. No one knows where the name George came from.

In early 1956 he had an epiphany: while riding his bicycle, he heard Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” playing from a nearby house, and he ended up crashing his bicycle into a drainage ditch. George was now hooked on Rock n Roll and obsessed with Guitars.

George’s father bought the boy a guitar and Harrison formed a skiffle group called the “The New Originals” with his brother Harold and a friend, Arthur Kelly. On the bus to school, Harrison met Paul McCartney, who also attended the Liverpool Institute, and the pair bonded over their shared love of birds with big bums.

The Beatles

The Beatles released their first album March 22, 1963 and started a revolution within every aspect of popular culture. No one had ever heard or seen anything quite like The Beatles before.

These 4 loveable moptops arrived in the U.S, February 7, 1964. They landed in JFK airport in NYC and changed our lives forever. When The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show two nights later, approximately 350 million people tuned in, or basically 100% of the population.

George Harrison with 3 unknown friends – Illustration By Paul King Art

Beatlemania was born and everyone and their mother went out and bought a guitar and started a band the next day. The British Invasion was in full swing. With every new song and album, hysteria ensued. Boys grew their hair longer, girls screamed and cried in the streets. It was pandemonium.

George’s contribution to The Beatles cannot be over stated. George’s first song to appear on a Beatles’ album was ‘Don’t Bother Me’ from the band’s second album, With The Beatles. He matured as a songwriter with every album. “Think For Yourself”, “If I Needed Someone”, “Taxman”, “Blue Jay Way”, “Within Without You”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Piggies”, “Savoy Truffle”, “Something”, “Here Comes the Sun” and many more.

Underrated Guitarist

George was a very underrated guitarist as well, contributing some amazing work to the band’s songs, both lead and rhythm. He was also responsible for The Beatles Indian influence, contributing Eastern religion and the Sitar. Harrison went on to have an incredible solo career as well, coordinated “The Concert for Bangladesh”, played with “The Traveling Wilbury’s” and had many hit albums and singles.

George was the quiet Beatle, and he quietly changed the world. His influence on guitar playing and songwriting is immeasurable. George died on November 29, 2001. It was a sad day for the world.

Remembering George on his birthday! Thank You for the music Sir! It was an honor to share this planet with you. We Love and Miss You Dearly!