Beatles' Harrison Shines On Walk Of Fame
George Harrison Is The Latest Beatle To Get His Star
Apr 25, 2009
George Harrison already has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as one of The Beatles. But on April 14 he was posthumously awarded his own star joining John Lennon as the only other Beatle to receive the honor.
George’s star is the 2,382nd on the Walk of Fame which runs past Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard and down Vine where the iconic circular Capital Records building is located.
George Harrison Joined The Beatles At The Age Of 15
The youngest, and most private member of the band, George Harrison was only fifteen when he joined The Beatles. After a rocky start which included his deportation from Germany for being under age, George cemented his position in the Fab Four penning some of the band’s most memorable songs including I Need You, Taxman, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something and Here Comes the Sun, to name a few.
The Concert For Bangladesh
George’s first solo album following the break up of The Beatles All Things Must Pass was released to worldwide acclaim in 1970 and gave him the hit single My Sweet Lord. But many would agree The Concert for Bangladesh, organised by George and his close friend Ravi Shankar in aid of refugees and featuring a star line-up including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr amongst others, was his most inspirational work.
Today a major aid concert like this may seem commonplace but this event held at Madison Square Gardens in New York was a landmark statement for the music industry and the first time major stars had come together as a ‘supergroup’ for a benefit concert. In 1973 The Concert for Bangladesh took out the Grammy for Album of the Year.
The Travelling Willburys
In 1987 George formed the Travelling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty. Handle with Care was the Wilburys’ first single and a surprise hit.
Handmade Films
George also put his creative energies into his film company Handmade Films which he formed in the late seventies. The first film under the Handmade banner was Monty Python’s The Life of Brian. George’s company took over the production of the film after its original backers pulled out. Since then Handmade Films has produced over forty films including the drama Mona Lisa with Bob Hoskins and Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Concert For George
After battling cancer George Harrison passed away in 2001. The following year, A Concert for George was organised by Eric Clapton and George’s wife of 23 years Olivia Harrison. Filmed at The Royal Albert Hall The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the Wilbury’s Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, and others came together to create a once in a lifetime concert event.
Geoge’s son Dhani also performed winning the crowd with his skilled guitar playing and his self-deprecating manner which was likened to that of his late father.
Since his death George has been inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame and also the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Martin Scorsese is currently directing a documentary feature about George's remarkable life.
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