Famed musician George Harrison of The Beatles died 17 years ago today at a friend’s home in Los Angeles. Harrison was 58 when he passed and had followed his time in The Beatles with a highly successful solo career. George was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist in 2004 and with the Fab Four in 1988.
The Beatles released a self-titled double album in 1967 referred to as The White Album thanks to the color of its cover art. Harrison contributed a handful of songs to the record including “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” George brought in his friend Eric Clapton to contribute a lead guitar part to the version found on The White Album. Harrison reunited with Clapton to perform “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” as part of the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala at Wembley Arena in London on June 5, 1987.
George and Eric were just two members of a ridiculously talented ensemble that played the White Album gem that night. Harrison’s Beatles band mate Ringo Starr was behind one drum kit while Phil Collins was behind another. Elton John, Jeff Lynne, Ray Cooper and Mark King were also among those who contributed to the memorable “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Watch George Harrison lead the song on June 5, 1987:
As a bonus, check out a tribute to George shared today on his official YouTube channel:
