He was known as the quiet Beatle.
Thoughtful, spiritual and a superb musician, George Harrison, lead guitarist for the greatest pop group in history, would have turned 77 on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
George Harrison was born #OnThisDay in 1943. He would have turned 77 today. Happy birthday @GeorgeHarrison! pic.twitter.com/HycHYYnPdG
— The Beatles Story (@beatlesstory) February 25, 2020
To mark the occasion, Liverpool City Council and the George Harrison Estate have announced plans to erect a Woodland Walk memorial, a 12-acre Greenland site, located just south of Liverpool where Harrison was born and raised.
To mark George's birthday today, the Liverpool City Council and the Harrison Estate proudly announce The George Harrison Woodland Walk, a memorial woodland opening in Liverpool in 2021. Artists are encouraged to submit artwork for the garden here – https://t.co/KP1fgwOsRD pic.twitter.com/oEzKgmxLeC
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) February 25, 2020
The area will include installations inspired by Harrison’s life and music and the Harrison family is encouraging artists to design new artworks for the garden.
George Harrison’s songwriting contributions to The Beatles were relatively few and far between, limited in the shadow of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s prolific output and the band’s lack of respect for his songwriting skills, particularly in the early years.
But when Harrison did churn out something, it was memorable. There was “I Need You” from the “Help!” album, which inspired one of the better scenes in the movie.
The movie famously exposed Harrison to the sitar which was used in the soundtrack. The Indian instrument was an integral part of the strangely compelling “Within You Without You,” Harrison’s only track on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
But George was producing haunting songs as early as 1965 with “If I Needed Someone” from the “Rubber Soul” album, followed by the scathing “Taxman” from “Revolver” in 1966.
A clear arc of growth in George Harrison the artist was reflected in his later songs including, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here Comes The Sun” and “Something,” Harrison’s only No. 1 song with The Beatles.
Music fans in Pittsburgh didn’t have many opportunities to see Harrison in person. In fact, his only appearance here was with The Beatles during their only Steel City show, Sept. 14, 1964, at the Civic Arena.
Harrison was born in Liverpool in 1943. Legend has it that he picked up the guitar for the first time after hearing Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956. Two years later he auditioned for Lennon and McCartney’s skiffle group The Quarrymen, which later became The Beatles.
#OnThisDay 1964: George Harrison sat down for a brief interview on his 21st birthday, where he dismissed rumours that he was a millionaire. pic.twitter.com/kPGmDPPx6c
— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) February 25, 2020
After the Fab Four broke up, Harrison had a successful solo career that eventually earned him a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He died of lung cancer on Nov. 29, 2001.
