Remembering George Harrison: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of the 'Quiet Beatle'
From the archive: A quick look at a reluctant icon
Good morning!
Today, we’re remembering George Harrison, who we lost on this day in 2001
One of the families in my neighborhood are huge fans of the Beatles.
Every year, they host a party Fab Four-themed party. People bring dishes based on song titles (which are then judged on taste and creativity), tons of music is played, and a good time is had all around. As you walk in the door, there are little stickers with silhouettes of each Beatle. You take one of your favorite Beatle and wear it like a name tag.
I always pick George Harrison.
There’s just something about the man known as the Quiet One that makes me happy.
Maybe it was having “Here Comes The Sun” being sung to me as a lullaby. Maybe it’s the pure pop appeal of “What Is Life?” Heck, it could even be the humanitarian work he did.
From the Concert for Bangladesh to smaller, quieter projects, it’s hard to see a life devoted to service and not become a fan.
It’s also hard to believe it’s been more than 20 years since Harrison’s passing.
“I just write a song, and it just comes out however it wants to. And some of them are catchy songs like ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ and some of them aren’t.”
~George Harrison
Lennon is frozen in time, and with his untimely death came infamy. Nobody seems to have told McCartney that he’s now in his 80s. Ringo is just off doing Ringo things.
George seems to occupy a different space in pop culture.
I sometimes wonder why he wasn’t more popular.
We usually arrive at this party later than everyone else. There are always plenty of stickers left of Harrison for me to grab. It always seems odd.
Maybe that’s how he would’ve liked it.
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Do you have a favorite song or memory of Harrison? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
An earlier version of this first appeared here.
I did not grow up in a home where The Beatles were really listened to or talked about. Not for any particular reason. My single mother just didn't care for them.
Well in 2020 (of course), I needed something new in music. Something was telling me to dive into The Beatles and I can honestly say I've not been the same music listener ever since.
George is probably my favorite as well for all the reasons you've described here. I love the guy who is so important to the band yet seeks no attention. And unbeknownst to me, once I started really listening to The Beatles, most of my favorite were written by Harrison.
"All Things Must Pass" is still his standout solo album to me. Not that the others aren't great but that one hit me hardest.
"Out of the Blue" is probably my favorite song from that album. It's just too good of a jam.
Such cool neighbours! I love George. He's my dad's favourite Beatle too, so I grew up paying more attention to him than average, I'd say. My dad is obsessed with the Bangladesh concert. Such cool memories of my childhood, not to mention the transcendence of it in music history. If I had to pick a Harrison song off the top of my head I'd say "Something". The simplicity of the lyrics and the sensual/longing vibe of the melody just make it timeless.