Saturday, December 14, 2024

Paul McCartney Celebrates George Harrison on His 75th Birthday: “Wonderful memories, Georgie”

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Everyone is celebrating George Harrison today on what would have been his 75th birthday. We love George as a Beatle, from “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something” to “Savoy Truffle.” But the George Harrison I celebrate is the man who gave us “All Things Must Pass.” I still have my original box with the vinyl. Those songs–from “I’d Have You Anytime” to “My Sweet Lord,” “What is Life,” “Apple Scruffs,” “Wah-Wah”– how they’ve held up over 48 years. And then there’s “All Things Must Pass,” the title track, which might have been a Beatles song but thank goodness it wasn’t. A masterpiece, a real of art. George had plenty of hits and did many great things but “Beware of Darkness”– particularly the “Bangla Desh” version with Leon Russell– remains magnificent.

So raise a glass to George– and also to his remarkable wife, Olivia, and their tremendous son, Dhani, both of whom have proven to be the most faithful, respectful keepers of the flame. This week, they’re released a new vinyl version of “The Concert for George,” in many configurations. I was lucky enough to be there for this all -star memorial on November 29, 2002. It’s so nice to have a lasting reminder.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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