Often described as the quiet Beatle, George Harrison was most definitely the soul of the greatest rock-n-roll band of all time.

From the early age of 13 he began teaching himself how to play the guitar. One he bought from a friend for about $6 U.S., a tidy sum of money back in 1956. His playing soon evolved to the point where he would be consistently listed as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Including the list put out by Rolling Stone magazine.

His playing has influenced anyone who’s ever picked up an ax, trying desperately to make it sing as sweetly; including yours truly. You knew it was a George Harrison tune on the radio, or influenced by him, simply by listening to the inescapable style and sound blasting through your speakers. The magic he could summon by sliding his fingers up and down the fret board!

George was once quoted as saying, “all we ever really wanted to do was to make a record.” At age 17, he joined up with his mates John Lennon and Paul McCartney, with Ringo Starr joining shortly afterwards. The Beatles were born. And the World was changed.

Their message throughout was, and is; clear, simple and one in which the Divine would be proud: Peace and Love.

In the mid 1960’s, knowing there was more to life on this big blue marble called Earth than the obvious, saying, “everything else can wait, but the search for God cannot”, he became a spiritual seeker. In the end, he would find God.

Traveling to India, he immersed himself into the world of Eastern religions like Hinduism, learned Indian philosophy, their culture and music. George would learn how to play the sitar after meeting Ravi Shankar, a lifelong friend. He would subsequently bring back both Eastern music and philosophy to the West; introducing a new way of thinking to an entire generation.

With the Beatles and as a solo artist, George wrote many classic songs like “Taxman”, “Within You Without You”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “All Things Must Pass”, “My Sweet Lord”, “All Those Years Ago”, “This is Love” and “Any Road”.

Frank Sinatra once said of George’s song “Something”, “it’s the greatest love song of the past fifty years”. “Something” also became the second most covered Beatles song ever, after “Yesterday”.

George would become a loving husband to Olivia and devoted father to his son Dhani. He enjoyed car racing, was involved in the movie industry with his Handmade Films production company, created Dark Horse records, and pioneered the concept of all-star musical benefit concerts. When in 1971, he organized the Concert for Bangladesh when his friend Ravi Shankar asked him for help.

He was the founding member of the Traveling Wilburys super group along with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. The group spawned hits like “Handle with Care” and “End of the Line”. In 1992, Billboard magazine gave its first ever Century Award to him. He’s a member of the Rock Hall of Fame, both as an individual (2004) and as a member of a group (1988).

One note on the lighter side, he was also known for carrying his ukulele with him everywhere; taking it out to play at a moments notice. On his final critically acclaimed solo album, Brainwashed, released posthumously in 2002, he’s accompanied by his ukulele on several songs.

Personally, the impact George birthed in me on November 29, 2001, is incalculable. He left this physical plane on that day to enter the astral realm; continuing on life’s journey to know God, to see God, and to become self-realized. This was his goal in life. On that day, it became mine as well.

A few days after his passing, Olivia asked the World to observe 60 seconds of silence at 11:00 in the morning. She requested everyone to meditate, thinking of nothing else but George, in order to help him travel to his final destination, as is per Hindu tradition.

George will be remembered for many things including his musicianship, songwriting ability, his giving and loving nature, and his sense of humor. But all of his accolades, both personally and professionally, are too numerous to mention and I’ve barely glanced the surface.

Words alone can not aptly convey my appreciation and admiration for this truly gentle man. The World is a profoundly emptier place without him, but how rich and full Heaven must be!

I can only say, thank you, George.

Hare Krishna!