Thoughts on George Harrison

We all knew it was coming... but that doesn't make it any easier.

I confess that it took me a while to appreciate George. The other three had much more vivid public personalities. Their lives and interests seemed more "romantic." George, classically the Quiet One, required more work to understand.

He was a private man who never liked the glare of the spotlight. He was shyer than the others, not well educated (he was one of those bright, rebellious kids that formal schools can do nothing for), a careful observer of the world around him, and younger, unsure of himself. Beatlemania distressed him deeply, perhaps more so than even John. The only one of the four to grow up with his family intact, he was also the first one to go searching for something more permanent and fulfilling than celebrity-hood. Unlike John, who was paralyzed by depression at times and had no clear goals in his life, George always made an active effort to improve his lot--he knew what he was looking for, or at least he knew the way he wanted to feel when he found it. And, unlike many of us, he DID find it. He also worked very hard to get what he wanted, whether it was learning to play the guitar or finding inner peace. It should come as no surprise, then, that he approached his death with great bravery and dignity, displaying to the world his reserves of inner strength.

He had a more subtle and blacker sense of humor than the others, though he didn't often express it in public. I remember a book put out at the beginning of the new millennium, in which celebrities gave their thoughts on the future. George's question was, "What will things be like a thousand years from now?" His answer? "A thousand years from now, we'll all be dead."

Although his musical contributions have been considerable, George's main contribution to Western culture was probably his popularizing of Eastern mysticism, which has helped to color religious thinking ever since. That's quite an accomplishment for an "ordinary" lad from Liverpool!

We can learn a lot from George's personal struggles and successes. He was one of the few genuine rock 'n' roll role models (rock 'n' role models?) left in this age of empty, manufactured bands and personality-free idols.

Rest in peace, George. We will never forget you.

--Aviva Rothschild

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George Harrison. How should I begin? I shan't be describing him so much as describing what he taught me, regardless that I never met him. He was a determined person, certainly, and he usually got what he worked for. Listening to his voice at night, before school, after school, and in my head when I don't have a CD player around--just hearing his voice jump around those words, he was instantly my favourite Beatle. When I saw a picture of him, I was intrigued. He looked much more interesting than Paul (to me), whom most of the girls swooned over. Don't get me wrong, Paul is great--but George is mine.

This was a typical conversation between my 80's hair-band loving friend and me:

ME: Wow, just look at George! (pointing to his picture) I love his eyebrows. And the way his hair falls to one side....
HER: You are a Beatle freak. His Beatle cut.... you say I like hair bands!
ME: (hotly) Well, I have a crush on him.
HER: But he's, like, 60 years old!
ME: He's only 58! He still has time to propose to me, hahah....

And so on. But that was before.. and since I was not around when the Beatles were, not even when John was still alive, I don't feel I
really knew George. I don't exactly feel entitled to be writing about him as I am so young yet, but I felt I must. George Harrison, my
favourite Beatle.

50% of Beatle gone. 50% of Beatle left.

--Adriana Wolfe

My first true glimpse of the Beatles was when the Anthology was released in 1995. There I saw all of them - John, Paul, George, and Ringo, together as four, together as the Beatles. They came at a time when I needed them most. When I had my hardships in life, they were there for me, either as four or individually. John taught me independence. Paul taught me strength. Ringo taught me humility.

But perhaps one of the best lessons in my life would be from George. He taught me perseverance.

The youngest of all four Beatles, yet he was the lead guitarist. He was a wonderful songwriter despite the seemingly shadowing presence of the Lennon-McCartney duo. He achieved so much. I found and currently do find myself in similar situations, having to overcome hindrances and failures before reaching to only a tiny portion of success.

After listening to Beatle songs, watching interviews, and reading books relating to them though, I realized I had a guide waiting for me. In his
pensive, serious, and occasionally playful demeanor, George seemed to reassure me that with hard work, dedication, and a little time, things would work out. And the world wasn't such a scary place after that....

It seems so unfair that life has to go this way. Why is life so cruel as to put out a bright star before its time is up? He still had so much more to contribute to the music world. He still had many more words of wisdom to give to us. But in George's own words: "All things must pass." That is true; nothing in this life is permanent.

We should accept that, but it still hurts....

Words cannot express how grateful I am to all you have done for me. Thank you. You were there when I needed you most. And even if you are not here in this world, you will forever live on in my heart, in everyone's hearts.

I love you, George. I will always remember you.

--Pam Anan

Please also see the memorials and tributes at Rooftop Sessions

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