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George Harrison

George Harrison was an English musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the Beatles and the band’s youngest member.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

George Harrison was an English musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the Beatles and the band’s youngest member. He also had a successful solo career and was noted for incorporating Indian musical influences into popular music. He died of cancer in 2001 at the age of 58.

Early life

George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England, on 25 February 1943. He became interested in music at a young age and later joined the Quarrymen, which evolved into the Beatles.

The Beatles

Harrison became famous as the Beatles’ lead guitarist and one of the group’s four members. He was often described as the “quiet Beatle” and wrote several of the band’s most admired songs, including “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Solo career

After the Beatles split in 1970, Harrison released a successful solo body of work. His triple album All Things Must Pass is among his best-known releases, along with the hit “My Sweet Lord.” He also helped organize the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971.

Death and legacy

Harrison died of cancer on 29 November 2001 at age 58 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. He remains widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists and songwriters in rock music.

Key facts

  • Known as the “quiet Beatle,” Harrison was the youngest member of the Beatles.
  • He served as the band’s lead guitarist and contributed to its musical direction.
  • His best-known songs include “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
  • After the Beatles, he achieved major solo success, including the album All Things Must Pass and the single “My Sweet Lord.”
  • He died of cancer in 2001 at age 58.
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Canadian context

George Harrison remained highly influential in Canada through the Beatles’ lasting popularity, solo radio airplay, and the broader impact of his music on Canadian rock audiences and musicians.

Frequently asked questions

Who is George Harrison?
George Harrison was an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of the Beatles.
How old was George Harrison when he died?
He was 58 years old when he died on 29 November 2001.
George Harrison songs
Notable George Harrison songs include “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “My Sweet Lord.”
George Harrison cause of death
He died of cancer in 2001; sources describe the illness as cancer or lung cancer.
George Harrison wife
His wife was Olivia Harrison.
George Harrison net worth
Reliable figures vary by source and are not consistently documented in the provided results, so a verified net worth is not available here.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Harrison
    Supports: Birth and death dates, age at death, Beatles role, and cause of death.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Harrison-British-musician
    Supports: Biography, Beatles role, youngest member, and age at death.
  3. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/george-harrison
    Supports: Notable songs, solo career, All Things Must Pass, My Sweet Lord, and Concert for Bangladesh.
  4. DW — https://www.dw.com/en/remembering-george-harrison-on-his-80th-birthday/a-42727743
    Supports: Death from lung cancer and age at death.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0365600/
    Supports: Birthplace, death details, spouse, and death cause.