GEORGE HARRISON

Biography for George Harrison

Date of Birth: 24 February 1943, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
Date of Death: 29 November 2001, Beverly Hills, California, USA (lung cancer)
Height: 5' 10½" (1.79 m)
Spouse: Olivia Harrison (1 September 1978 - 29 November 2001) (his death) 1 child
Pattie Boyd (21 January 1966 - 9 June 1977) (divorced)
Trade Mark: His Gretsch Country Gentleman electric guitar

Trivia

George's older sister Louise resides in southern Illinois as of 1998.
A good deal of confusion as to his real birthday was solved when a family birth record noted him as being born shortly before midnight around 11:50 P.M.) on February 24th, 1943. He had believed his birthday was February 25th for his entire life.

Musician, one of The Beatles.

On 30 December 1999, an intruder broke into his Oxfordshire mansion, stabbing him multiple times in the chest. Harrison and his wife fought the intruder and detained him for the police.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles January 20, 1988.
Wrote the introduction to a biography on sitarist Ravi Shankar.
He played 26 instruments: guitar, sitar, 4-string guitar, bass guitar, arp bass, violin, tamboura, dobro, swordmandel, tabla, organ, piano, moog synthesizer, harmonica, autoharp, glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone, claves, African drum, conga drum, tympani, ukulele, mandolin, marimba, and Jal-Tarang.
Son, Dhani Harrison (born 1 August 1978) was a student at Brown University.
He and his fellow Beatles were awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Executive Producer & Principal Partner, 'HandMade Films' [1979 - 1994]
Attended Dovedale Road Primary School (now Dovedale Road Junior School) and the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys (now the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts).
Got a job as an apprentice electrician at age 16 but didn't have the interest to continue it. With one son a mechanic and another a groundskeeper, father Harry hoped his sons would go into business together once George finished his apprenticeship. Harry let George quit to become a working musician, though, when The Beatles began to get weekly bookings, figuring he was young and could still "start over" if music didn't work out.
Liked jelly babies (a softer version of jelly beans).
George met Pattie Boyd on the set of A Hard Day's Night (1964). She was engaged at the time, but George kept asking her out until she gave in. They were married in 1966.
In 1968, Eric Clapton played guitar on George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on The Beatles's White Album. Also, George was at Eric's home in England and wrote "Here Comes the Sun" while skipping a board meeting for the band's company, Apple Corps.
In the early 1970s Eric Clapton fell madly in love with Pattie Boyd (at the time married to Harrison) and wrote "Layla" about her; when she refused to leave George for him, Clapton became so distraught and depressed he turned to heroin and developed a severe addiction. By 1974, feeling abandoned by George's obsession with Indian culture, Pattie left George for Eric and the Harrisons' divorce was finalized in 1977. Two years later, Pattie and Eric were married (they divorced in 1988). Through it all, George, Eric and Pattie remained the best of friends - George attended the Claptons' wedding reception and commented, "I'd rather she was with him than some dope". (Clapton and Harrison called each other "husbands-in-law.").

A Vegetarian.

Re-release of "My Sweet Lord" reaches #1 in the UK, replacing Aaliyah's "More Than A Woman". It is the first time there have been two consecutive posthumous #1 hits in the UK. [January 2002]
Was the first of The Beatles to produce a "solo" album, with his soundtrack album to Joe Massot's film Wonderwall (1968) (Paul McCartney had earlier composed the score for The Family Way (1966), but did not produce or play on the recordings). Songs were recorded both in India (featuring Ashish Khan and guests) and England; the English tracks featured Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Peter Tork (each performing under pseudonyms) and former Beatles rivals The Remo Four, from Liverpool.
Wrote an autobiography titled "I Me Mine" in the late 1970s (which he described in the introduction as "the small change of a short lifetime"), and included reproductions of the original handwritten lyrics to nearly all his songs. The book was originally issued as an exclusive leather-boundedition by Genesis Books for about $350 per copy; a less-expensive hardback edition was later published by Simon and Schuster.
Had his own professional 16-track recording studio installed at Friar Park, where nearly all his solo records after 'All Things Must Pass' were made (album credits usually mention "Friar Park Studio", or "F.P.S.H.O.T."). In the 1980s Jeff Lynne, used to working with 48-track digital machines, found it startling to have to rethink his approach to record with Harrison, but found it refreshing in the long run (the band Shakespear's Sister also borrowed the studio in the early 1990s, to record "Hormonally Yours").
A controversy arose in the days after Harrison's death, when it turned out his death certificate listed a bogus address; it was revealed he had died at Paul McCartney's Los Angeles house, whose address they'd wanted to keep secret. McCartney described the late Harrison as "my baby brother".
Harrison was cremated within hours of his death, and his ashes were later scattered along the Ganges River in India, in accordance with his last wishes.
Overcame both hepatitis in the mid-1970s (which caused a delay in the release of his album "Thirty-Three and 1/3"), and a cocaine addiction in the early 1980s.
Was called "my archangel" by Srila Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna movement.
A New York Federal Court ruled in 1976 that his famous song "My Sweet Lord" was a copyright infringement on the song 1963 Laurie Records hit "He's So Fine" by The Chiffons. "My Sweet Lord" contained a similar repetition of two musical phrases ("sol-mi-re" and "sol-la-do-la-do") found in "He's So Fine," along with identical harmonies. Although the Court found that Harrison did not intended to plagiarize "He's So Fine," it ruled that, having been familar with the song, he had "subconsciously" copied its melody. Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd., 420 F.Supp. 177 (S.D.N.Y. Aug 31, 1976). Appeals dragged the case on into the 1990s, with Harrison's former manager Allen Klein becoming the plaintiff when he bought Bright Tunes. Harrison eventually ended up owning both songs, while Klein's reputation suffered from his "changing sides" in the suit.
He was the youngest of four children (Louise, Harold Jr. and Peter were his older siblings), and came from the most "normal" home of any of the Beatles. Father Harry drove a Liverpool city bus, while mother Louise gave dance lessons at their home. The Harrisons were common-sense people, but allowed their children to pursue their dreams, and encouraged George to take up music. Mrs. Harrison invited The Beatles over to practice early in their career, and sometimes came to see them perform. The family remained close, even after daughter Louise married and moved to America, and George became famous; Louise frequently made herself available for media interviews about her younger brother, and hosted his early American visits. He provided for their parents to retire comfortably, while his home at Friar Park was a family affair indeed, tended by he and his older brothers. His mother died of cancer in 1970, and he wrote "Deep Blue" in reaction to her death. His father died (also of cancer) in 1978, having adopted some of his son's spiritual beliefs; George and wife Olivia later related that they'd awoken that same night, to a strange blue light in the room, and a vision of Harry smiling at them.
When Lorne Michaels offered The Beatles $3000 to appear on "Saturday Night Live" (1975), Harrison actually took him up on the offer and performed on the show. The joke was that Michaels was offering $750 per Beatle, and Harrison wanted the full $3000. As a tribute, this appearance was re-aired as part of "Weekend Update" the Saturday after Harrison died.Spoke German, but not fluently Was an ace Monopoly player.
Although rightly considered the shyest Beatle, Harrison loved comedy and often associated with Monty Python through the 1970s.
Was a member of the Travelling Willburys with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra.
Treated for throat cancer in 1997, which went into remission the next year.
Brother-in-law of Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac (Fleetwood was married to Jenny Boyd, Patty Boyd's sister.)
IIn 1978, The Rolling Stones album "Some Girls" was withdrawn from stores after several stars whose photos appeared on the original cover (including Lucille Ball, Raquel Welch, Farrah Fawcett, Lee Majors and Red Buttons) threatened to sue. The album was re-released with a "censored" cover; Harrison's photo appears on both versions. He joked publicly that he'd sue the Stones "if they removed his photo."
Together with Eric Clapton, he wrote the Cream hit "Badge." He also played the song's lead guitar track up to the bridge.
After his lung cancer was found to have returned in March 2001, Harrison was operated on in June and had half of one lung removed. By November of that year however the cancer had spread to his brain, making recovery impossible.
The only Beatle whose childhood was not marred by personal tragedy.
Was actually hurt by the critical savaging of Shanghai Surprise (1986) and its subsequent financial failure, because he had very little to do with it and his name was on the film. In later years he said that his songs were the victims of the film's failure.
Disillusioned with working for a major label, he quickly and hastily recorded "Gone Troppo" in 1982 to fulfill his contract. When asked to renew, he refused. He also refused to do any publicity for the album, which he thought of as second-rate. Due to the shoddy publicity campaign by Warner Brothers for the album, it was a flop and its highest chart position was #108. Harrison decided not to make another album for five years. When he did, the album, "Cloud Nine", was a smash, landing in the #1 spot.
After eight years being idle, he decided to tour in 1974 despite a bad voice due to some throat problems. The tour was a critical and commercial disaster, with unfair severe criticism for the opening act of "Ravi Shankar and Friends", Harrison's voice (which was called "Dark Hoarse") and his preaching. He was so disillusioned and angry with the incident that he never toured in America again, only going to Japan in 1992 for a very large sum and Eric Clapton's back-up band.
Originally submitted his album "Somwhere In England" in 1980 with a psychedelic cover and four rather downbeat songs. Warner Brothers rejected the album, and ordered a new cover and four new, more upbeat songs. It was around this time that John Lennon died, and Harrison decided to re-arrange his song "All Those Years Ago" as a tribute to Lennon and sing it himself (he originally thought it should be a Ringo Starr tune). Starr had recorded percussion, which was used in the final track. At the same time, Paul McCartney asked if he could come over to George's house so George could do some guitar work on Paul's song "Wanderlust." It was the first time McCartney and Harrison had been together since the break up of The Beatles in 1970. Harrison asked Paul, wife Linda McCartney and Denny Laine to record backing vocals for his song, "All Those Years Ago." After recording the song, McCartney decided that Harrison didn't need to record the guitar part and he'd use a horn ensemble instead. After three other songs were recorded, and a new photo shot at an art gallery in London, the album was resubmitted and accepted. Based on the strength of a new Beatles "reunion" (on "All Those Years Ago"), the album was released to critical and commercial excitement. "All Those Years Ago" became Harrison's first top-ten hit in eight years.
He was the youngest member of the Beatles.
IIs portrayed by Chris Cound in The Linda McCartney Story (2000) (TV).
The Beatles were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
Is portrayed by Chris O'Neill in Backbeat (1994).
First ex-Beatle to have a number one hit as a solo artist ("My Sweet Lord" December 1970) after the breakup of the Fab Four. The first song he wrote was "Don't Bother Me", while he was sick in hospital. He said later "It was an exercise, to see if I *could* write a song".
Former schoolmate of Paul McCartney; the two got acquainted riding the same bus every day, carrying their first guitars. After McCartney joined John Lennon's Quarrymen, Harrison began turning up at their shows, and filled in when other members weren't available. Lennon objected to having a "kid" join the band, but McCartney persuaded him.
Through good friend, Eric Clapton, Delaney Bramlett introduced him to playing slide guitar, which he would use after The Beatles.
Though the guitar chord - 7th + sharpened 9th - became known as "The Hendrix Chord" through its heavy use on "Foxy Lady" and "Purple Haze," the 7#9 was actually used several months earlier by George Harrison on "Taxman" from The Beatles' 1966 album "Revolver".
He and the Beatles were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Personal Quotes

"I'd rather be a musician than a rock star."
"Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another." (his last public statement, issued after his death)
"It's a shame Paul can't be here because he was the one who had the speech in his pocket." (At his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame).
On his teenage years in Liverpool: "You couldn't get a cup of sugar, let alone a Rock n' Roll record."
"People are simply screwing up when they go out and buy beefsteak, which is killing them with cancer and heart troubles. The stuff costs a fortune too. You could feed a thousand people with lentil soup for the cost of half a dozen filets." (Ironically, Harrison continued to smoke cigarettes until the 1990s.)
"It is better to be an outspoken atheist than a hypocrite."
"I got it purely from smoking. Luckily, they found that this nodule was more of a warning than anything else. I'm not going to die on you folks just yet. Life is like a raindrop on a lotus leaf. Everybody realizes that you are either a very lucky person or you're not." (On his battle with throat cancer in 1997)
"I couldn't really think of, I racked my brain for weeks and months to try and think of a title because I was trying not to have a song title. We had various titles, had hundreds of them you know, but the next day none of them seemed to work, you know it was called Fab for a bit, but a lot of people liked Fab because they get the joke, it was called so many things in the end I just had to have a title otherwise the album would never have come out. As there were clouds on the cover, we called it Cloud Nine. I mean when you look at the cover it could have been called Spot the Loony! But I thought you know, they may not go for that." (On the album title, "Cloud Nine")
"Ah, it was an old song from about 1959, I think the writer's name is Rudy Clark, I don't know who he is but it was an excellent song, but the old version I heard of it was a bit antique and doesn't really sound like my version of it, but the song itself had stuck in my head for twenty odd years and just came out on this album (Cloud Nine). But it rocks along, it's quite a good choice." (On "Got My Mind Set On You")
"It says, just for today, don't worry about anything just try and deal with one thing at a time, basically, it's really for everybody. It's generally a reminder just for today to keep cool and don't try and deal with everything all at once and that kind of thing." (On "Just for Today")
"I did write the song specifically at the request of the producer of the Madonna movie and it was the love song for the naughty couple. So I re-cut that song "Someplace Else" and the other song called "Breath Away from Heaven" which is slightly Chinese sounding, well it's supposed to be just slightly Chinese sounding, I re-grooved that as well from the soundtrack album, from the soundtrack version. So those two were both from Shanghai Surprise." (On "Someplace Else")
"I've been friends with Eric for years. And I think I always will be. He's a lovely fella and I love him very dearly. And he, and I just called him up again and you know I'm doing an album (Cloud Nine), Eric could you come and play. Sure, he came over and played great stuff. "Devil's Radio","Cloud Nine", he does a nice little solo on the end of "That's What It Takes" and also the other one the second side "The Wreck of the Hesperus."' (On Eric Clapton)
"Yeah, it's like a built in thing. If I play a song to Ringo I don't need to say to him, you know I want it to go like this, I just play it and he joins in. He's got a great feel. Ringo's like I sort of don't practice much on the guitar I sort of pick up and play it when I need to and he's the same, he never practices, he's a very naughty boy. But he just gets his sticks and he just does it and it sounds just like Ringo and he can hold the rock steady all day long." (On Ringo Starr)I thought, I'm not going to make one of them you know sort of clattery records like everybody else seems to be doing this period I'm going to make a record like something like I did twenty years ago. Just like a rock n' roll band making a record. We had real saxes and real guitars, real pianos, real drums, real people playing real songs." (On creating "Cloud Nine")
"I'm at ease with myself, maybe. I'm happy to be making records, by getting away from the music business I was in a good mood to do it you know, it's just the fun of doing it and just trying to sustain the energy and the interest." (On enjoying the process of making "Cloud Nine")
"Experience is the main reason why we're here I think in the world to gain experience and from our experience we gain knowledge, oh I think so anyway, knowledge and if we get any knowledge then we gain liberation, you know we free ourselves." (On Life and Experience)

Where Are They Now

(2007) Release of the book, "Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me" by Pattie Boyd and Penny Junor.
(2006) Release of the book, "The Love There That's Sleeping: The Art and Spirituality of George Harrison" by Dale C. Allison.
(2006) Release of the book, "Here Comes the Sun: The Spiritual and Musical Journey of George Harrison" by Joshua Greene.