Born:
February 24, 1943 in Liverpool, England
Died:
November 29, 2001 in Los Angeles, California
Full Name:
George Harold Harrison
George Harrison Quote:
"I wanted to be successful, not famous."
Significant Facts About George Harrison:
- Ranked #21 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2004, and as a member of the Beatles in 1988
- Had successful careers as a solo artist and as a film producer following the breakup of the Beatles
- During his time with the Beatles, he became heavily involved in Hinduism and music originating in India
George Harrison's Early Career:
The Beatles' lead guitarist, and occasional songwriter and lead singer, earned the nickname "The Quiet Beatle" because of his shy, introspective nature.
In 1958, at the age of 15, he and schoolmate Paul McCartney were playing in a Liverpool band called The Quarrymen, later to become The Beatles.
Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, and Carl Perkins influenced his playing style, and he became adept at both lead and rhythm guitar.
George Harrison as a Beatle:
Because McCartney and John Lennon were the primary songwriters for the group, Harrison did well to get a song or two on each of the Beatles' albums. Those he wrote and on which he sang lead (Something, Taxman, Here Comes The Sun, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, for example) were among the group's most popular.
Relations between Harrison and McCartney were often strained, to the point that Harrison actually quit the group for a short time during the filming of the documentary Let It Be.
George Harrison on His Own:
Having stockpiled a catalog of songs that never made it onto Beatles albums, one of Harrison's first solo releases was rock's first triple album, All Things Must Pass. He went on to release a total of 17 solo albums, plus two with the group, The Traveling Wilburys, which also included Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.
He established a successful film production company, Handmade Films, and organized the first major superstar charity benefit, The Concert For Bangladesh.
Essential George Harrison CD:
All Things Must Pass
Widely considered to be the best solo album made by any of the former Beatles, and one of the best of any roack band or artist in the 70s.
Widely considered to be the best solo album made by any of the former Beatles, and one of the best of any roack band or artist in the 70s.
