The Quiet

The first time George Harrison heard Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel” had an epiphany. After that, his whole life was about music. He was a very good student, and even though his family was quite poor, he managed to enter to the best high school in Liverpool. When he discovered music he lost interest in school. His mother, Louise, gave him some money to buy a used guitar, allowing him to follow his passion. He learned to play the guitar, and was invited by McCartney to join the Quarrymen. At first, Lennon was reluctant to Harrison’s joining the band, because he was too young, but Harrison impressed him with his ability to play the guitar, and he accepted him in the band.

 

During his Beatles years, Harrison went through major changes in his life. At first, he was shy and reserved, and preferred being in the second line, playing his beloved guitar, but as he grew older he became interested in writing his own music, with his personal style. Motivated by his interest on eastern cultures, he learned to play the sitar and played it in the introduction of “Norwegian Wood (This Bird has flown)”. His love for eastern culture made him the leader of the Beatles’ spiritual trip to India in 1968, from which they returned disappointed and with lots of ideas for their next two albums. Harrison contributed with several songs, such as “Something”, and “While my guitar gently weeps”.

After the break up, George Harrison had a successful career, recording albums with his all star band (with Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and other famous musicians).  Later, he retired and dedicated his time to his hobbies, before dying in 2001 from lung cancer in Los Angeles, California.