SOMETHINGA Tribute to Late, Great George Harrison
Some musicians might say that song Something was one of greatest love ballads written in past fifty years; in-fact Frank Sinatra, who was no fan of rock and roll said those exact words. One of most powerful love songs in music history, so simple, yet tender and emotive. It is absolutely fitting that this song was written by a former Beatle, late, great George Harrison. Most Beatles fans will never forget day they heard about his death and George Harrison’s untimely, tragic passing on at only fifty-eight years of age has left fans feeling deep sadness, a huge sense of loss and a determination to hang on to those vivid memories of glory days. The magical memories of Harrison’s Beatles days and his subsequent career thereafter will be with fans forever as will precious gift of his music. The song Something was probably his best work, along with Here Comes Sun, While my Guitar Gently Weeps, and My Sweet Lord. All remarkable, influential, artistic and thought provoking songs. ‘Typically George,’ some might say. John Lennon was even quoted as saying that Something was best track on album Abbey Road.
George Harrison was portrayed as quiet, enigmatic Beatle. What is it they say about quiet ones? George Harrison was an extremely remarkable person, who lived ‘a charmed life.’ He was part of biggest, most popular bands in music history. His music can be described as very spiritual, uplifting and moving, not as romantic and hearfelt like some of McCartney’s ballads. Just different, exceptional in it’s own way.
McCartney and Lennon would have to be two most talented singer/song writers this world has ever seen and there is little doubt that we will never witness talents like theirs again. Of four Beatles, they were so different in their style of musical ability and personality. Paul McCartney, romanticist, John Lennon peace-maker, mischievous and lovable drummer Ringo Starr and George Harrison spiritualist. Put them all together in a rock n roll band spanning almost a decade and rest as they say is history. Their coming together, produced some of most significant and inspiring music that would affect people in so many different ways. Music that was impossible not to dance to, or to sing to, or to grab a guitar and jam with. Most music lovers can relate to just sitting back and letting those familiar haunting chills take over, a feeling that would stir soul and invoke a passion that was just indefinable.
Getting back to George Harrison, his death came almost twenty one years to day that John Lennon was shot. Lennon’s death affected all Beatles fans more than they would care to remember, as it was such a huge shock. In Harrison’s case, fans knew he was gravely ill and that his death was inevitable. All same it is unbearable to think that he’s gone and now only two Beatles remain. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Its possible that, McCartney and Starr hate being referred to as two remaining Beatles. George Harrison was once quoted as saying that he hated being referred to as a Beatle. McCartney and Starr’s lives have gone in different directions since good old days in sixties. They have fulfilled many goals in their careers and they probably wish that all Beatle’s fans would stop living in past. The problem is; fans cannot and never will and there are different generations of fans who love Beatles. The Beatles probably have at least three generations of fans now. Many of their fans were not even born when Beatles split up and went their separate ways. Nevertheless, McCartney and Starr would be correct, it isn’t healthy to live in past, but reminiscing is a different story.