The loss of George Harrison on Thursday (see "Former Beatle George Harrison
Dead At 58")
affects people from nearly every facet of the music industry. From artists
who've worked with the former Beatles guitarist to those who've only
experienced his impact on record, Harrison will be sadly missed, though the
legacy he leaves behind will never be forgotten.
Those who personally knew the youngest Beatle describe him as a humble
gentleman whose sincerity and kindness were matched only by spiritual
devotion and love of music. As one of the first musicians to use his
influence for humanitarian endeavors, he paved the way for industry efforts
such as Live Aid and the Tibetan Freedom Concerts.
His sense of humor was also legendary. During the Beatles' first recording
session, when producer George Martin asked the group if they didn't like
anything, it was Harrison who reportedly quipped, "Well, first of all, I
don't like your tie." Some 40 years later, when reports of Harrison's cancer
battle depicted him with one foot in the grave, the feisty guitarist
recorded his final song, entitled "Horse to the Water," a riff off the adage
"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
Meanwhile, those who knew him from his musical contributions alone stress
that there isn't an artist around who hasn't been influenced in some way by
Harrison's innovative style. "The Beatles have an impact on every band
playing today," said Creed frontman Scott Stapp, before adding that
Harrison's musical lineage was equaled by his affable manner. "People always
talked about how down-to-earth he was. That's the legacy you want to leave
behind."
"We are all devastated by this news. It's deeply sad to lose such a
beautiful guy. Luckily Heather [Mills] and I saw George a couple of weeks
ago, and true to form, he was laughing and joking. George was a very brave
man with a heart of gold, but also someone who didn't suffer fools gladly.
I'll always remember that without George it all wouldn't have been possible.
I'll miss him dearly and I'll always love him — he's my baby brother."
— Paul McCartney, Beatles singer/bassist
"George was a best friend of mine. I loved him very much and I will miss him
greatly. Both [my wife] Barbara and I send our love and light to [George's
wife] Olivia and [son] Dhani. We will miss George for his sense of love, his
sense of music and his sense of laughter." — Ringo Starr, Beatles
drummer
"I am very saddened by George's death and will miss him enormously. As a
guitarist, he invented many classic lines that were much copied by others,
and he wrote several very beautiful songs that we will always remember. He
was a very complex character, both quiet and funny with a very sweet nature,
but he also could be rather combative at times. He was the first musician I
knew who developed a truly spiritual side, and he was generous with his time
to both charity and to friends." — Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones singer
"To me — George was, always will be, above all, a real gentleman, in
the full meaning of the word. We both felt we held similar positions in our
respective bands, which formed a special, knowing bond between us. Let's
hope he's jamming with John." — Keith Richards, Rolling Stones
guitarist
"George has given so much to us in his lifetime and he continues to do so
even after his passing with his music, his wit and his wisdom. His life was
magical, and we all felt we had shared a little bit of it by knowing him.
Thank you, George. It was grand knowing you." — Yoko Ono, widow of
Beatles singer/guitarist John Lennon
"George was a wonderful musician and a fine human being. He was the baby of
the Beatles, unlike Paul and John, he had a hard time developing his
songwriting talent and making his music alone. But he worked hard and with
enormous patience, building his music meticulously, he eventually came to
write one of the greatest love songs of all time, 'Something.' George was a
true friend, intensely loyal, caring deeply for those he loved and he
inspired much love in return. Olivia and Dhani gave him the ideal family
that he needed, and they have borne his illness with enormous courage and
devotion. He was always so proud of them. George loved his garden in
England, and creating beauty among his trees and plants was almost as
important to him as his music. His marvelous sense of humor is well known,
and we always had a good laugh when we were together. ... Now I believe, as
he did, that he has entered a higher state. God give him peace." —
George Martin, Beatles producer
"George Harrison did on Earth what he came to do. He made people ecstatic
with the beauty of his music. His spirit will live on in the hearts of all
who he rocked, and I wish him well in his new place. George knew that all
things must pass, but his music will last forever. Thank you, George, for
making my life as a kid and an adult a way more amazing ride." —
Anthony Kiedis, Red Hot Chili Peppers singer
"George Harrison was my favorite Beatle. He was the cool, dark side of the
Beatles. The songs I loved by them, George Harrison had written. It's a big
loss." — Mark Tremonti, Creed guitarist
"George Harrison was always my favorite Beatle. His quiet sensitivity always
seemed so noble. His songs seemed sweeter and deeper than the rest. Beyond
being an amazing player, his ability to convey such emotion with just his
guitar played a huge part in the Beatles' music for me. He was the secret
weapon. One of the first guitar leads I ever learned was from the song
'Something,' when I was about 11 years old. I paid tribute to him on our
first record with the song 'Oh, George,' a reference to the slide lead.
He was always my favorite ... and always will be." — Dave Grohl, Foo
Fighters singer/guitarist
"It was my sitar and Indian music which connected me to George in the
beginning, but very soon our relationship went beyond that. He was a friend,
disciple and son to me. George was a brave and beautiful soul, full of love,
childlike humor and a deep spirituality. We spent the day before [he died]
with him, and even then he looked so peaceful, surrounded by love. [My wife]
Sukanya, [daughter] Anoushka and I are deeply affected by this loss, and our
love and prayers are with Olivia and Dhani. George has left so many precious
moments and memories in all our lives which will remain with us forever."
— Ravi Shankar, sitarist/composer
"There was a certain mysterious and unknowable quality about his music which
made him a very attractive figure and gave a whole other dimension to the
Beatles." — Bono, U2 singer
"He wrote some of the greatest Beatles songs, but more than that, he had a
gentleness and spirituality that made spending time with him a great
pleasure. I have been dreading this loss, and I will really miss him."
— Paul Simon, singer/songwriter
"George was a good and humble man who believed in the power of love to
overcome all adversity. He lived his life without asking anything for
himself, and his courage to quietly remind us that God created a world for
peace and compassion has had a profound effect on all of our lives." —
Billy Corgan, former Smashing Pumpkins singer/guitarist
"George was not only an exceptionally talented recording artist, but a
remarkable and spiritual human being. He touched the world not just through
his music, but also through his many generous humanitarian contributions and
desire for peace around the world." — Hilary Rosen, president/CEO of
the Recording Industry Association of America
"The Beatles completely reinvented music forever. There wasn't anything like
that before; and definitely that kind of melodic rock becoming so popular
and having such an influence on so many bands changed the landscape of
music. There's not a band around today that plays rock music that isn't
influenced in some way by the Beatles." — Mark Hoppus, Blink-182
singer/bassist
"I'm deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend George. We've
lost one of the most important figures of popular music, but more
importantly, one of the kindest, most generous and funny people that I have
ever met. All of my sympathy goes to his wife and son, and I would ask that
their privacy and feelings are respected." — Jools Holland, former
Squeeze singer/keyboardist and host of the BBC's "The Top of the Pops," who
collaborated with Harrison on "Horse to the Water," Harrison's final
recording
"We lost another Beatle today. It stinks. The Beatles were a huge influence
on me. The whole British Invasion was so profound. It is almost beyond
words." — Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi guitarist
"George, too, was a dreamer. He believed in making the world a better
place, and with his idealism, activism and, most of all, his music, he did exactly that. He lived a life of quiet dignity and today the world is a lesser place." — Mike Mills, R.E.M. bassist
"George. He died as he lived, with dignity, with bravery and with comedy. He
inspired all the lives he touched. He was a truly blessed man, loved by his
family, his friends and strangers all around the world. I loved him from the
first moment I met him and I shall miss his eyes, his laughter, his honesty,
and his wonderful guitar-playing. The world has lost a very fine man, but we
are all the richer for his life. Thank you, Olivia and Dhani and dear sweet
George, for letting [my wife] Tania and [daughter] Lily and me be a part of
your incredible family. I hope the world will respect Olivia's request to
allow them to honor his passing in peace and dignity." — Eric Idle,
member of the Monty Python comedy troupe (Harrison's Handmade Films produced
"Monty Python's Life of Brian." Harrison also appeared in Idle's 1978
Beatles parody "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash.")
"You always knew where you stood with George, he was totally honest. I feel blessed to have been so close to him. He was a great friend. He wrote brilliantly original songs, played the greatest slide guitar and had the most amazing sense of humor. He really had the 'Inner Light,' and always will. Some of the happiest days of my life were spent in the studio with George." — Jeff Lynne, Traveling Wilburys/ELO singer/guitarist
[This story was updated on 12.03.01 at 11:35 a.m. ET.]
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