George Harrison, the so-called “Silent Beatle” for his low profile and shyness, would turn 80 this Saturday. He died in 2001 but his legacy lives on more than ever. Indeed, the legendary cat steven just dedicated a version of the classic Here comes the sun and Olivia Harrison celebrated with glee.
As a caption to the YouTube video, Yusuf (Cat Stevens’ new name after converting to Islam) wrote, “George Harrison has been a huge spiritual influence on me, right from the start. He paved the way for some thoughts and ideas that go back to the Orient and that were very important”.
George’s widow posted the video and commented, “This is wonderful news for George’s birthday.”
Yusuf, now on George’s label
Just last week, news broke that Yusuf/Cat Stevens had signed to Dark Horse Records, the company Harrison founded in 1974.
“George Harrison was beginning to explore Eastern mysticism around the time I was hospitalized for tuberculosis in 1968,” Yusuf explained. “I had a lot of free time in bed and ended up reading a Buddhist book called the secret path. It was the beginning of my search for light”.
“While most of my generation were devoted only to music, it happened to me a bit like George and music became the key to something much higher. After the fury of the 60s, his conscience she woke up and George is transcended to levels not many people get to experience.. You hear it in his lyrics, you see it in his way of living and facing the material world, looking for a way out.
“George was one of the first to organize a benefit concert for the poor, at a time when millions of Bangladeshis were fleeing war and becoming refugees. It was very brave, against all the rules of the system.”
“I’m happy to sing one of his songs, especially since it represents the return of light and hope to a seriously dark and broken world.”
Also, last week, the entire Dark Horse Records catalog just changed ownership, now returning to the label founded by the ex-Beatle himself. However, Harrison’s family retain the rights to the catalogue.
Harrison’s music has moved to Dark Horse Records via BMG, the company has announced. Previously distributed and released by Universal Music, the 12-album catalog includes Harrison’s debut Wonderwall music (the soundtrack of the film wonder wall), their classic 1970 album All things must passthe following since 1973. Living in the material worldtheir 1987 comeback album Cloud nine and his latest studio album, brain washing.
A permanent influence
George Harrison’s music is as relevant as ever, both his work with the Beatles and his solo albums and his projects with third parties, such as The traveling Wilburys or the shows with Eric Clapton.
For all life He was a multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, songwriter, music producer, film producer, actor, philanthropist, peace activist, environmentalist, guitarist and singer.
George He has been married twice: with Pattie Boyd, from whom he divorced in 1977, and with Olivia Trinidad Arias, with whom he had his first and only daughter, Dhani. In November 2001, he died at the age of 58 after suffering from lung cancer and his ashes were scattered in a private ceremony in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
The city of Liverpool, where he was born, will honor him this Saturday with a special performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where the biopic will also be on display. Something about George. In addition, hundreds of Hare Krishna followers gathered to commemorate him at the Beatles Museum in the same city.
Source: Clarin
