Tributes came pouring in Friday after the death of Quiet Beatle George Harrison, with Paul McCartney, Tony Blair and the Queen among the first to react to the news.
“I am devastated and very, very sad,” said former band mate Paul McCartney. “We knew he’d been ill for a long time. He was a lovely guy and a very brave man, and had a wonderful sense of humour. He is really just my baby brother.”
“I remember all the beautiful times we had together and I’d like to remember him like that, because I know he would like to be remembered like that,” said Macca, who pulled out of a scheduled performance at Friday night’s Top Of The Pops awards after hearing that George had passed away in Los Angeles on Thursday. A video tribute to George will be shown at the Manchester ceremony.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was also moved by the loss. “The music and the personalities of the band were the background of our lives,” he said. “I think people will be very sad at his death. He was not only a great musician and artist, but he did an immense amount for charity as well, and so he will be very, very sadly missed by people right round the world.”
The Queen was said to be “very sad” and offered her condolences to the family.
Veteran DJ Bob Harris was devastated but found encouragement in George’s final moments. “It’s absolutely no surprise at all to discover that his last thoughts were: ‘Let’s all just try to love one another.’ That sums George up, really,” he said.
A memorial service is planned in Liverpool, though no date has been set. A private ceremony was held in Los Angeles on Thursday for those members of the family present.
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Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
