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 100 Top Beatle Posters |
| Get Back Home | George Harrison |
100 Top Beatle Posters |
George Harrison was born on February 25, 1943 to Harold and Louise Harrison. George grew up loving music and remembers as a baby standing on a leather stool singing "One Meat Ball". When George was 13, his mother paid about $8.00 and bought him his first guitar. It was George's friend, Paul McCartney, who introduced him to John. At first John didn't want George in the band because he was so young (almost a three year difference at that age was a lot), but later John let him join because of his guitar playing ability.
After The Beatles made it big, George was more in the background. He was labeled "the quiet Beatle". It was John and Paul who did most of the singing and song writing. George did write a few songs in the early days and he sang lead vocals on at least one song on each album. George met Patti Boyd on the set while filming the movie, "A Hard Day's Night", and married her within a year. In 1965 George bought a sitar, an East Indian instrument, and it was first used on John's song, "Norwegian Wood".
With the sitar brought George's interest in Eastern Indian culture and philosophy. George's song writing abilities improved during this time and he made more contributions. In August 1967, as a result of George's influence and interest, The Beatles traveled to Wales for a weekend seminar with the guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1968, The Beatles flew to India for an extended course of study under the Maharishi. In the late 1960's George's song writing abilities continued to develop and many thought of him as being close to an equal of Lennon/McCartney. Before the breakup, George was often frustrated that not more of his songs were put on Beatles albums.
After the breakup of The Beatles, George's solo career began with a bang. He released "All Things Must Pass", a three album set which sold remarkable well. In 1971 George headed up a benefit concert for Bangladesh in New York City. George was joined on stage by Ringo Starr and other well known musicians. George and Patti got divorced. Patti fell in love and married George's long time friend, Eric Clapton. 
Later George married Olivia and they have a son, Dhani. In 1988 George joined long time friends Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynn and released their first album under the name, The Traveling Wilbury's.
Although George remained interested in music, he didn't want to be in the music business full time. George has always valued his privacy and his religion. He said at one time, "I'm a gardener. I plant flowers and watch them grow."
After a long fight with cancer, George died on November 29, 2001. He was 58 years old.