George Harrison succumbed to cancer on November 29, 2001 in Los Angeles. He was 58. As many of you knew the last years have been exceptionally tough for George. There was the throat cancer he fought against, as well as the stabbing in December of 1999, and then there was news of a brain tumor. It is my sincere hope that George is in a better place now, and if anyone deserves to be in such a place it is George Harrison. His spiritualism is one of the most defining aspects of his personality, and I believe it was this spirituality that prepared him for his passing. According to sources, he died with his family (wife Olivia and son Dhani) at his side, and he was at peace with his death. Paul McCartney recollected a fairly recent meeting with George in which they rehashed the "old times" and George was not depressed or worried about his illness or the inevitable death that was presented to him. I hope that is a reassurance to fellow fans to realize that he did not die afraid or hesitant, but with open arms, and accepting of what was to come.
Now for the living we mourn the death of a very special man. George was very under-rated by the lay music community, and if one positive thing is to come from this, I hope it is that fans will discover the brilliance of the music of the "Quiet" Beatle. We are left with his very strong personal messages he conveys in his music, as we "gently weep" his passing, and realize that "all things must pass away". |
