George Harrison @ 80: Perhaps the quietest Beatle and most popular.
Harrison, who died in 2001, would have turned 80 on Feb. 25. But it’s not just his friends and contemporaries who recall him with fondness. In the years since his passing, the Beatle known as “the Quiet One”
In the years after Lennon’s death, Harrison retreated. But he returned with a vengeance in the late 1980s. By the 1990s he had found his voice again.
George Harrison was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles.
Born: February 25, 1943, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Died: November 29, 2001, Los Angeles, CA
Spouse: Olivia Harrison (m. 1978–2001), Pattie Boyd (m. 1966–1977)
George Harrison bought this Rickenbacker 425 guitar at Red Fenton’s Music Store in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in 1963, while visiting his sister Louise, who had moved to the United States. He wanted one to match John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325, but this was the only Rickenbacker the store had in stock. It originally had a red sunburst finish, but the store owner agreed to refinish it black. Harrison came back from his trip and told his band, “America has everything, why should they want us?”
The first two 12-string Rickenbacker guitar’s went to George Harrison and Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) Brilliant strategic move.
Rickenbacker twelve-string guitars were favoured by George Harrison of the Beatles, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, Pete Townshend of the Who, and Tom Petty. Players of the six-string include John Lennon of the Beatles, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Paul Weller of the Jam, John Kay of Steppenwolf, Peter Buck of R.E.M., Johnny Marr of the Smiths, and Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles. Players who have used Rickenbacker basses include Paul McCartney of the Beatles, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, Cliff Burton of Metallica, Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Paul Wilson of Snow Patrol, Bruce Foxton of the Jam, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, Chris Squire of Yes, Geddy Lee of Rush, Al Cisneros of Sleep and Om, Paul D’Amour of Tool, and Rick James and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala.
If you are a fan of The Beatles you might enjoy these videos by Morgan Rees:
The Beatles “Beginning to the End” factoids:
The Beatles “White Album” factoids:
The making of “YELLOW SUBMARINE” movie:
The Beatles “Rubber Soul” factoids:
