On This Day

George Harrison

musician

Born: Died: English

George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Known as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison played a significant role in shaping the band's musical direction and later established a successful solo career, particularly through his interest in non-Western musical influences. Although most of the band's songs were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, most Beatles albums from 1965 onwards contained at least two Harrison compositions, including "Taxman", "Within You Without You", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun". Harrison's earliest musical influences included George Formby and Django Reinhardt; subsequent influences were Carl Perkins, Chet Atkins and Chuck Berry. By 1965, he had begun to lead the Beatles into folk rock through his interest in Bob Dylan and the Byrds, and towards Indian classical music through his use of Indian instruments, such as the sitar, which he had become acquainted with on the set of the film Help!. He played sitar on numerous Beatles songs, starting with "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)".

Notable For

English musician

George Harrison's Historical Timeline

  1. George Harrison is born

    George Harrison, English musician, known for english musician, was born on 1943-02-25.

  2. Decca Records signs The Rolling Stones on the advice of Beatles guitarist George Harrison [1]

    The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era.

  3. George Harrison changes his music publishing company's name from Mornyork to Harrisongs

    Harrisongs Ltd is a music publishing company, founded in 1964 by English musician and songwriter George Harrison, then a member of the Beatles.

  4. Beatle guitarist George Harrison's girlfriend Pattie Boyd attacked by female Beatle fans

    Beatle guitarist George Harrison's girlfriend Pattie Boyd attacked by female Beatle fans

  5. Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England,

    Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England, Paul serves as best man; divorce in 1977

  6. George Harrison is fined £6 for speeding

    George Walton Lucas Jr. is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He created the Star Wars franchise and its fictional universe, the Indiana Jones franchise, and founded Lucasfilm, LucasArts,...

  7. George Harrison forms the music publishing company Singsong Ltd, though it only ever publishes one song, "Old Brown Shoe

    George Harrison forms the music publishing company Singsong Ltd, though it only ever publishes one song, "Old Brown Shoe"

  8. Beatle George Harrison makes cameo appearance on American television's "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"

    Beatle George Harrison makes cameo appearance on American television's "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"

  9. George Harrison's benefit concerts for Bangladesh (two shows) take place at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers inclu

    George Harrison's benefit concerts for Bangladesh (two shows) take place at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers include Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell

  10. George Harrison is involved in a minor car accident

    George Harrison is involved in a minor car accident

  11. George Harrison releases his fourth studio album "Living in the Material World" in the US

    Living in the Material World is the fourth studio album by the English musician George Harrison, released in 1973 on Apple Records.

  12. George Harrison announces his concert tour of US to begin in November

    Dark Horse is the fifth studio album by the English rock musician George Harrison. It was released on Apple Records in December 1974 as the follow-up to Living in the Material World.

  13. George Harrison teases his hit "My Sweet Lord" before breaking into "The Pirate Song" on Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Tel

    George Harrison teases his hit "My Sweet Lord" before breaking into "The Pirate Song" on Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Television Christmas Special (UK)

  14. George Harrison appears on "Saturday Night Live": haggling with Lorne Michaels; performing "Here Comes the Sun" and "Hom

    George Harrison appears on "Saturday Night Live": haggling with Lorne Michaels; performing "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound" with Paul Simon; and airing two music videos

  15. Former Beatle George Harrison (33) and British model Pattie Boyd (32) divorce after 11 years of marriage

    Patricia Anne Boyd is an English model and photographer. She was one of the leading international models during the 1960s and, with Jean Shrimpton, epitomised the British female look of the era.

  16. "Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and fun

    "Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and funded by George Harrison's HandMade Films, premieres in US theaters

  17. George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" of his song "My Sweet Lord" from Ro

    George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" of his song "My Sweet Lord" from Ronnie Mack's song "He's So Fine"

  18. George Harrison releases single "All Those Years Ago" in UK: the song was a tribute to John Lennon, and featured Ringo S

    George Harrison releases single "All Those Years Ago" in UK: the song was a tribute to John Lennon, and featured Ringo Starr on drums, and Paul and Linda McCartney on backing vocals [1]

  19. George Harrison releases single "Got My Mind Set On You", it becomes his third solo #1 hit, and the last chart-topper by

    George Harrison releases single "Got My Mind Set On You", it becomes his third solo #1 hit, and the last chart-topper by any of the former Beatles

  20. George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" becomes the first Beatles song to register a billion streams on Spotify; it is al

    George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" becomes the first Beatles song to register a billion streams on Spotify; it is also the oldest song to do so

Associated Historical Events

birth

George Harrison is born

George Harrison, English musician, known for english musician, was born on 1943-02-25.

Decca Records signs The Rolling Stones on the advice of Beatles guitarist George Harrison [1]

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era.

George Harrison changes his music publishing company's name from Mornyork to Harrisongs

Harrisongs Ltd is a music publishing company, founded in 1964 by English musician and songwriter George Harrison, then a member of the Beatles.

Beatle guitarist George Harrison's girlfriend Pattie Boyd attacked by female Beatle fans

Beatle guitarist George Harrison's girlfriend Pattie Boyd attacked by female Beatle fans

Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England,

Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England, Paul serves as best man; divorce in 1977

George Harrison is fined £6 for speeding

George Walton Lucas Jr. is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He created the Star Wars franchise and its fictional universe, the Indiana Jones franchise, and founded Lucasfilm, LucasArts,...

George Harrison forms the music publishing company Singsong Ltd, though it only ever publishes one song, "Old Brown Shoe

George Harrison forms the music publishing company Singsong Ltd, though it only ever publishes one song, "Old Brown Shoe"

Beatle George Harrison makes cameo appearance on American television's "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"

Beatle George Harrison makes cameo appearance on American television's "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"

George Harrison's benefit concerts for Bangladesh (two shows) take place at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers inclu

George Harrison's benefit concerts for Bangladesh (two shows) take place at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers include Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell

George Harrison is involved in a minor car accident

George Harrison is involved in a minor car accident

George Harrison releases his fourth studio album "Living in the Material World" in the US

Living in the Material World is the fourth studio album by the English musician George Harrison, released in 1973 on Apple Records.

George Harrison announces his concert tour of US to begin in November

Dark Horse is the fifth studio album by the English rock musician George Harrison. It was released on Apple Records in December 1974 as the follow-up to Living in the Material World.

George Harrison teases his hit "My Sweet Lord" before breaking into "The Pirate Song" on Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Tel

George Harrison teases his hit "My Sweet Lord" before breaking into "The Pirate Song" on Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Television Christmas Special (UK)

George Harrison appears on "Saturday Night Live": haggling with Lorne Michaels; performing "Here Comes the Sun" and "Hom

George Harrison appears on "Saturday Night Live": haggling with Lorne Michaels; performing "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound" with Paul Simon; and airing two music videos

Former Beatle George Harrison (33) and British model Pattie Boyd (32) divorce after 11 years of marriage

Patricia Anne Boyd is an English model and photographer. She was one of the leading international models during the 1960s and, with Jean Shrimpton, epitomised the British female look of the era.

"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and fun

"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and funded by George Harrison's HandMade Films, premieres in US theaters

George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" of his song "My Sweet Lord" from Ro

George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" of his song "My Sweet Lord" from Ronnie Mack's song "He's So Fine"

George Harrison releases single "All Those Years Ago" in UK: the song was a tribute to John Lennon, and featured Ringo S

George Harrison releases single "All Those Years Ago" in UK: the song was a tribute to John Lennon, and featured Ringo Starr on drums, and Paul and Linda McCartney on backing vocals [1]

George Harrison releases single "Got My Mind Set On You", it becomes his third solo #1 hit, and the last chart-topper by

George Harrison releases single "Got My Mind Set On You", it becomes his third solo #1 hit, and the last chart-topper by any of the former Beatles

George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" becomes the first Beatles song to register a billion streams on Spotify; it is al

George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" becomes the first Beatles song to register a billion streams on Spotify; it is also the oldest song to do so

Frequently Asked Questions

When was George Harrison born?
George Harrison was born on 1943-02-25 (English).
What is George Harrison known for?
English musician
What historical events involved George Harrison?
George Harrison was involved in 20 recorded historical events, including George Harrison is born, Decca Records signs The Rolling Stones on the advice of Beatles guitarist George Harrison [1], George Harrison changes his music publishing company's name from Mornyork to Harrisongs.
When did George Harrison die?
George Harrison died on 2001-01-01.

Related Years