REMEMBERING GEORGE HARRISON

Today we are remembering George Harrison, who passed away on this day in 2001. I was lucky enough to meet George on a couple of occasions – at the premiere of the ‘Handmade Films’ ‘How to Get Ahead in Advertising’ and a few years after that, at a concert by Ravi Shankar. In each case, they were very public events, and I barely got to say ‘hello’ – I would have loved to have the opportunity to sit down and have a long conversation with him, but it was not to be.

I was lucky enough to see George live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1992, his only solo UK concert. I’ve never been in a place where there was so much love. The ‘vibes’ were incredible. A brilliant moment was  ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Before the song, George said, ‘ ..and I’d like to bring on a blast from all our pasts – RINGO!’  – and the roof raised! During the song George sang ‘I look at you all…’ and rather than pausing, as he does on the record, he said ‘Quite nice actually’ – in his usual understated way. I’m glad he enjoyed himself that night, something that Olivia confirmed when I met her a few years ago.

For me, George was the soul of the Beatles. Yes, a complicated character, but they all were. I love the fact that, apart from music and religion,  George’s great passions were gardening, and formula one motor racing! You can’t get 2 more different hobbies than those.

Here are some photos I took of George.

RIP Mystical One

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