**2001**

March 27
CURTAIN CALL FOR BEATLE STAGE

The stage of St. Peter's Church in Woolton where John Lennon met Paul McCartney some 44 years ago, is to be demolished and replaced with a new "parish centre suited to modern needs." The decision was made by Cannon John Roberts of St. Peter's Church who said: "We are not here to run a museum. The present interior is not designed to fit the present day activity of a lively parish."

Cannon John Roberts' announcement quickly gave rise to hostile reaction when, in a BBC News article dated April 13, reported that the clergyman was receiving "hate mail" from Beatle fans in an attempt to prevent the destruction of stage. "I have received hate mail. These people are ignorant. I have gone out of my way over the years to welcome Beatle fans."

Later, in article from the "Daily Post" dated June 18, reveals the Church Council had been in discussion the night before and have given consideration to sell off pieces of the stage during an auction. The amount of money the church could collect from a future auction is unknown but Paul Wane, owner of Trax, a Beatles memorabilia company suggested parts of the stage could be "mounted on plaques" and auctioned off: "This is what we did with the bricks from The Cavern Club and The Empire. If the church decides this is what they want to do with the stage, then we would be very interested in selling it."

Meanwhile, in the same article, the Daily Post goes on to say that "Liverpool City Council is pleading with the church not to destroy the stage." In spite of the Council's pleas, the church attempts to auction off the stage on November 27, 2001, at " London 's Sticky Finger's Cafe" but fails to sell it for £50,000.

May 3
BBC NEWS REPORTS:
"EX-BEATLE HARRISON TREATED FOR CANCER"

In a statement from George Harrison's solicitors, George visited the Mayo Clinic in the United States which specializes in cancer treatment to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs. George's solicitors claim that the former Beatle made an "excellent recovery" and the pop star was "in the best spirits and on top form -- the most relaxed and free since the attack on him in 1999. He is now enjoying a holiday in Tuscany ."

June 29
LIVERPOOL AIRPORT TO HONOR JOHN LENNON

On this day, the city announced that " Liverpool Airport " will be renamed " Liverpool John Lennon Airport " sometime during 2002 when a new terminal opens.

According to CCN.com news, the new terminal hub will have a self-portrait of John Lennon along with the words "above us only sky" -- words which were forever made popular by Lennon in his classic peace song, "Imagine".

Said Yoko Ono: "I was honored and delighted when I first heard of the proposal to name the airport in Liverpool after John.

"As a gateway to the region this will be seen by millions of passengers and it is a fitting tribute to the memory of my late husband."

Mike Storey, city councilor said: "His legacy and his huge talent will always be remembered, but it is fitting that here, in the city of his birth, there will be such a permanent tribute to his memory."

July 9

BBC NEWS REPORTS:
" HARRISON FINE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT"

Reports emerge that George Harrison had been treated for a brain tumor by Swiss cancer specialist Franko Cavalli at the San Giovanni hospital in Bellinzona. Franko Cavalli refused to give any further statements to the press with regards medical condition of Harrison except to say that ex-Beatle claims he is "feeling fine."

August 24
BEATLES THEMED HOTEL WITH FINE ART BY SHANNON PLANNED FOR LIVERPOOL

At a cost of £8M, 120 beds will be created for holidaymakers wishing to experience a truly unique Beatle-connection while visiting Liverpool .  The resort is to be called A Hard Day's Night hotel. It will be connected at the basement level to the Cavern Club thereby allowing fans to explore related attractions in and around the Cavern Quarter.

 Architect, John Tweedie will be in charge of overseeing the regeneration of the building which is located at Central Buildings, North John Street in the Castle Street conservation area in the heart of Liverpool .  Construction will include the renewal of windows, electrical system, air conditioning and the addition of bedrooms with patios.  As the rooms are completed, over 120 artistic murals will be added by world renowned artist Shannon.  Her fine art illustrations have been "Paul, George and Ringo approved" and will take about a year to complete for the hotel. 

Cavern City Tours Ltd will manage the hotel with conditions of their contract to be put forth by Horwath U.K. , special consultants in tourism, hotel and leisure industries.  According to a BBC report, the hotel should open in 2003 and visitors can expect to pay £60-a-night for accommodation.

Artist Shannon has also done paintings for MGM, Disney, Universal, Trump Casinos.  Her celebrity clients have included: Sylvester Stallone, Billy Idol, Van Halen, No Doubt and Cheap Trick. 

Special Note: The Ottawa Beatles Site wishes to give special thanks to Shannon for allowing us to e-publish her "Seven Faces of John...Paul, George and Ringo" art murals in our discography section. Thanks, Shannon !

September 20
DOUGIE MILLINGS PASSES AWAY

In a report by the Times Newspaper Limited dated October 3, 2001, Dougie Millings, the "tailor who made the distinctive round-collared suits in which the Beatles began to conquer the world in 1963," passes away at the age of 88. The Times Newspaper went on to say that "Within a year or so of his first encounter with the Fab Four, Millings was playing a self-mocking role as a miserable tailor in the film A Hard Day’s Night, while pop stars, aristocrats, barristers and foreign diplomats lined up for suit fittings at his small workshop in the heart of Soho." The article also acknowledged the fact that Millings made the special costumes for Paul McCartney's 1972 "Wings" tour as well as the specials suits used in the photography shoot for the "Band on the Run" album cover. Paul McCartney released the album on December 5, 1973. The album went on to receive a Grammy Award for "Best Engineered Recording" in 1974.

November 7
BBC NEWS HEADER READS:
HARRISON "BACK IN HOSPITAL"

On this date, the BBC News services publishes some very sad news that George Harrison is looking "very frail and gaunt" after checking into the Staten Island University Hospital in New York . Under the care of Dr. Gil Lederman, a specialist who works with advanced cancer cases, used a treatment on George that is called "stereotactic radiosurgery" which "attacks tumors with high doses of radiation but with minimal damage to surrounding tissue" the BBC reported.

The Staten Island University Hospital helped George get his appetite back up which he had lost before. Though Dr. Gil Lederman would not state whether or not George would live as a result of the treatment, it is suspected by fans that the prognoses not looking good for the former Beatle.

In a report from Australia 's News.com.au dated November 21, states that both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had an "emotional reunion with George Harrison" and that Paul had "broken down in tears when the three surviving Beatles got together in New York last week."

November 25
APPLE DISCUSSES A STAGE PRODUCTION
WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED "CIRQUE DU SOLEIL"

The Sunday Times report that Apple Records is currently in discussion with "Cirque du Soleil" regarding a theatric stage production of "Yellow Submarine." The show would include acrobats, clowns, and aerial contortionists featuring the cartoon music from the Beatles "Yellow Submarine" film.

In an article from Launch.com, they report that: "The negotiation process has been slow moving due to the complexity of the Beatles' business affairs. Others involved in the talks include Yoko Ono, on John Lennon's behalf, and Michael Jackson, who co-owns many of the copyrights to the Beatles' songs."

When the contract is signed, it is expected that the "show will be at the heart of a themed entertainment complex in London , according to sources close to Cirque du Soleil."

November 26
ABC NEWS HEADLINE: "FADING STAR"

ABC News.com reports the following on George Harrison:

"No Luck With Radical Procedure -- Harrison, 58, left New York 's Staten Island University Hospital last week after undergoing an experimental type of radiosurgery. That process reportedly did not stop Harrison 's brain tumor from spreading. He flew from New York to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles to treat the inoperable malignancy with the more conventional chemotherapy.

" Harrison is said to be weak and near the end of his life. But Sunday People said the rock star is not giving up."

November 29

 

A "LIGHT THAT HAS LIGHTED THE WORLD" IS NO MORE:
GEORGE HARRISON PASSES AWAY

After a brave and valiant fight, George Harrison, known as "the quiet Beatle", succumbs to cancer. The 58 year-old songwriter, musician, reportedly died at 1:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m., U.K. time) on Thursday in the Los Angeles home of his friend and noted security expert on celebrities, Gavin de Becker. According to Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times staff reporter noted in their November 30th on-line edition that " Harrison 's wife, Olivia Arias Harrison, and son, Dhani, were with him at the time of his death, which was not announced until early Friday morning."’

While George was dying in Becker's Studio City mansion that Thursday, the Sunday Telegraph reported that both Olivia and Dhani "were at his side and with two Hare Krishna friends, Shayam Sundara and Mukunda, they sang soft chants as he died serenely." The Daily Record reported that "Within hours, he was cremated in a private Hare Krishna service.

"His ashes will be scattered in the holy River Yamuna, 40 miles from the Taj Mahal in India ." (Note: More details were slowly surfacing over the weekend as to where George's ashes would be scatterd. In a Fox News report dated December 3, reveals George's ashes were "to arrive in India on Monday and be sprinkled in the Ganges River in the northern city of Varnasi....They were also to be scattered in Allahabad, where hindu's three holiest rivers -- the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati -- converge." -- end of quote.)

The Harrison family, upon reacting to the immediate outpouring by all those who loved and enjoyed George Harrison for his friendship, music, and spiritual beliefs, released a statement which was picked up by the news media including "Ananaova.com" on December 2. The following was read to the press by their friend, Gavin de Becker:

"We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and compassion from people around the world," said Mr. Harrison's wife Olivia and son Dhani.

"The profound beauty of the moment of George's passing - of his awakening from this dream - was no surprise to those of us who knew how he longed to be with God. In that pursuit, he was relentless."

Mr. de Becker said: "Olivia and Dhani invite you to join them in a minute of meditation in honour of George's journey, wherever you are on Monday at 1:30 p.m. PST (1830 GMT)."

George leaves behind his wife, Olivia who is 53, and his beautiful son Dhani, who is 24. He is also survived by his brothers Harry, Peter and sister Louise. George is also survived by his first wife, Pattie Boyd, who met each other on the filming set of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964, the Beatles first motion picture.

WHAT THE IMMEDIATE BEATLE FAMILY SAID:

OLIVIA HARRISON (issued their first statement to the press on behalf of the family through Gavin de Becker): "He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death and at peace, surrounded by family and friends.

"He often said, 'Everything else can wait but the search for God can't wait, and love one another'."

DHANI HARRISON : "We're truly grateful for the tremendous support we've received from friends and from the very many members of the public whom we don't know personally, but who thought of us and send us good wishes."

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY (speaking from his St John's Wood home, north-west London ): "I am devastated and very, very sad.

"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."

RINGO STARR (from Vancouver , Canada ): "George was a best friend of mine. I loved him very much and I will miss him greatly.

"Both Barbara and I send our love and light to Olivia and Dhani.

"We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter."

YOKO ONO: "George has given so much to us in his lifetime and continues to do so even after his passing, with his music, his wit and his wisdom."

"His life was magical and we all felt we had shared a little bit of it by knowing him.

"Thank you, George - it was grand knowing you."

SIR GEORGE MARTIN: "George was a wonderful musician and a fine human being.

"He was the baby of the Beatles, and unlike Paul and John, he had a hard time developing his songwriting talent and making his music alone.

"But he worked hard, and with enormous patience, building his music meticulously, and he eventually came to write one of the greatest love songs of all time - Something.

"George was a true friend, intensely loyal, caring deeply for those he loved and he inspired much love in return. Now I believe, as he did, that he has entered a higher state. God give him peace."

NEIL ASPINALL (Head of Apple Records): "This is a very sad day for Apple and for all Beatles fans worldwide.

"It was my privilege to have been a friend of such a very special man - he will be greatly missed by us all."

PATTIE BOYD (George's first wife said with tears streaming from her eyes): "I am just so, so sad. Of course, we've been expecting it, but when it actually happens it is still a great shock and I'm terribly upset."

CYNTHIA LENNON: "This is a very sad day for myself and everyone who knew and loved George. He was part of my teenage years, he was part of my marriage to John, in fact, a very important and unforgettable part of my life. He was part of my family."

JULIAN LENNON: "It is a sad day for all of us, I loved George very much. He was the kindest of men. Our time together, though little, was always memorable. He was a man to be inspired by and he certainly touched my heart and millions of others. He will be missed, but I believe that after all the pain he has endured, he is finally at peace. My heart goes out to Olivia and Dhani, but I know that George is still with them in spirit and will be guarding them every day of their lives until they meet again. George you are beautiful.

Luv Ya Always,
Julian x"

WHAT THE FAMOUS SAID ABOUT GEORGE:

TONY BLAIR, PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN : "He wasn't just a great musician, an artist, but did a lot of work for charity as well. He'll be greatly missed around the world."

GERRY SCOTT, LIVERPOOL 'S LORD MAYOR: "He was one of the greatest Liverpudlians. He was a warm, peace-loving man who was much more than a talented musician.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II (a spokesperson, representing the Queen, announced): "The Queen was saddened by the news of George Harrison's death."

BADRUDDOZA CHOWDHURY, PRESIDENT OF BANGLADESH (on remembering George's August 1, 1971 "Bangla Desh" benefit concert): "The people of Bangladesh consider Harrison as their beloved man, who felt for them in 1971 during their days of agony and distress."

KHALEDA ZIA, PRIME MINISTER OF BANGLADESH : "George Harrison will be remembered forever by the people of Bangladesh .''

JEAN CHRETIEN, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA : "He was a great personality. The Beatles were, for a lot of people, extremely important and they made a big impact at that time and it was a great group."

LIONEL JOSPIN, PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE (declared George as): "...one of the great figures of pop music" and "an impressive and masterful guitarist."

BOB DYLAN: "He was a giant, a great, great soul, with all of the humanity, all of the wit and humor, all the wisdom, the spirituality, the common sense of a man and compassion for people. He inspired love and had the strength of a hundred men. He was like the sun, the flowers and the moon and we will miss him enormously. The world is a profoundly emptier place without him."

MICK JAGGER (of the Rolling Stones): "I am very saddened by George's death and will miss him enormously. As a guitarist, he invented many classic lines that were much copied by others and he wrote several very beautiful songs that we will always remember."

ALLAN WILLIAMS (Beatles' first manager): "He was a loveable person. I would say he was the major cog in The Beatles at that time. He kept them together probably because of the calming effect he had."

PETE BEST (the Beatles original drummer): "It is a tragic loss of life, a tragic loss of a great musician."

GERRY MARSDEN (of "Gerry and the Pacemakers" who shared the Cavern spotlight on stage with the Beatles): "This is a black day...he was always trying to find his own way. By the end, he had."

JAMES BROWN (the "godfather of soul"): "George Harrison was one of the world's few good men, one of the better people I ever met. I will and the world will miss him. He was truly loved."

DENNY LAINE (who played in Paul McCartney's post-Beatles group, Wings): "It was an uncanny feeling....George was a very special person. I know you all loved him. I loved him. God bless you George."

PHILIP NORMAN (author of Beatles biography "Shout" stated it was an "awful shock"): "There was a certain bitterness about him, but later in life he realized what good fortune he had enjoyed.

"He had a happy marriage and a son and realized there was more to life than being a Beatle."

JEFF HEALEY (who did a cover version of George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"): "I never had occasion to meet the man, unfortunately. I definitely would have loved to.

"George's work with the Beatles is probably my favourite.

"He was a wonderful writer and a great guitar player as well and he wasn't given credit enough for that. His general positive attitude towards things will be missed. However, it's still present in the music that he made."

MARY HOPKIN (former Apple recording artist and who, until recently, lived near him in Henley-on-Thames , said): "It was not a surprise but was nevertheless tragic news. I hadn't seen him for some time, not since his illness, and it's a great loss especially as he had such enormous talent."

CILLA BLACK (songstress from the Cavern days who later had enormously successful string of hit songs composed by the Beatles, said): "I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news about George. My sympathies are with Olivia and Dhani and the rest of the family at this very sad time."

PETE TOWNSHEND (from "The Who" rock group): "Goodbye sweet man. ATMP."

BRYAN ADAMS (Canadian singer/guitarist, performed with George in 1998 at the Prince's Trust charity concerts at Wembley Arena in London): "It's a sad day, because we don't need fewer people that make such beautiful music."

JEFF LYNNE (member of George's "Traveling Wilburys" and music producer): "You always knew where you stood with George, he was totally honest. I feel blessed to have been so close to him. He was a great friend. He wrote brilliantly original songs, played the greatest slide guitar and had the most amazing sense of humor. He really had the 'Inner Light' and always will. Some of the happiest days of my life were spent in the studio with George."

BRIAN WILSON (from the '60s rock group "The Beach Boys"): "I am horribly saddened by the death of George Harrison. While we were not personal friends, I think that just like everybody in the world, I have always considered all the Beatles to be my friends. Their arrival in America in 1964 was electrifying, one of the most exciting things that ever happened in my life, and their music has always and will always mean so much to me."

TONY BARROW (Beatles press officer from 1962-68): "George was certainly the friendliest Beatle from the very beginning.

"He had the reputation for being the quiet one. He hated all of the Beatlemania thing. When I was arranging interviews for George I had to be very selective because sit him down in front of an interviewer who wants to know about his collection of instruments and he would talk all day.

"He was a fastidious musician - before a performance he'd often be putting not only his own guitar in tune but also the instruments of the other lads....He was a fine musician, and if he had not lived under this overbearing shadow of Lennon and McCartney he would have been recognized as a great songwriter rather earlier.

"This is a very sad day."

BOB WOOLER (The Cavern's compère who introduced the Beatles on stage): "George had to fight all the way to get the recognition he deserved.

"The others really asserted themselves, and of course, eventually found the winning formula which was Lennon and McCartney.

"But in those early days it would have been wrong to talk in terms of the Mersey Sound, because all the Beatles sang in strict rotation, and mostly cover numbers made famous by other artists.

"This meant that George, who always stood on the left, looking at the stage, sang quite a lot."

MICHAEL PALIN (former Monty Python comedian): "I was amazed and delighted he was such a Python fan.

"He enabled us to make Life of Brian and other films like A Private Function - none of these would have happened without his enthusiasm.

"George had a great sense of humour - some of the best laughs I've had have been with George."

JOOLS HOLLAND (one of the last musicians to work and record with George): "I'm deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend George.

"We've not only lost one of the most important figures in popular music, but more importantly one of the friendliest, most generous and funniest of people I've ever met."

(Note: It is believed that George's final recording was on October 1, 2001, at his Swiss home. He cut vocal to the track "Horse to the Water" which is co-written by his son, Dhani. George, knowing the eventual fate of his own mortality, used his dark humour and credited the song to "RIP Ltd 2001." The album -- "Small World Big Band" -- contains George's new composition and made its debut in the final week of November, coming in at 18th spot on the U.K. charts.)

MARTIN LEWIS (Beatle historian): "As a guitar player, he was exemplary. So many musicians talked about how they wanted the George Harrison sound. The group the Byrds, in America , listened to Harrison and said, 'I want to be like that.' So many guitar players today emulate Harrison 's guitar playing. You listen to his playing in the '60s, he doesn't sound out of date at all. It is as contemporary today as it was then."

ALLAN KOZINN (Beatle historian and New York Times reporter): "...he served as an anchor for the quartet, leading the others on a spiritual quest toward Eastern philosophy that influenced their music in the latter part of the 1960's, epitomized for millions of fans by the sitar he played on "Norwegian Wood."

RAVI SHANKAR (sitar virtuoso): "George was my student. But on the other hand he was a very close friend. His death has been a tremendous shock to me which cannot be expressed in words....I pray to God that his soul to rest in peace."

KEITH RICHARDS (of the Rolling Stones): "To me, George was, always will be, above all, a real gentleman, in the full meaning of the word...Let's hope he's jamming with John."

December 2

GEORGE HARRISON SECRETLY RECORDED FINAL CD:

"PORTRAIT OF A LEG END"

The Times of London reports that George Harrison was secretly recording in his final months on an album entitled: "Portrait of a Leg End." The project's title is inspired on a parody taken from "a squashing foot graphic" found in the opening sequence of the Monty Python television series.

It is believed that there are 25 tracks that have been recorded. George, apparently, played the tracks on CD format to family and friends -- just four days prior to his death. There are a few tracks that date back to the early '80s but the Times of London reported that the bulk of material is more recent and is an attempt by George to put his musical legacy in order. Actually, taking care of his musical legacy really began when he re-released " All Things Must Pass " not too long ago which contained a new recording of "My Sweet Lord" and several other bonus tracks.

Jim Keltner, long-time friend and musician who drummed on a lot of Harrison 's solo tracks including "Portrait of a Leg End" said that "It was fantastic to be in the studio with him again. Some of the new songs are very poignant concerning his life in the past few years. It will be obvious when you hear them what they are about. There is a certain soulfulness about George's music that doesn't need a lot once he has put that voice on."

Keltner also went on to say: "I saw him last Sunday night. It was a great gift to us that he was so beautiful. He looked fantastic. He looked like a prince. He didn't look like a person suffering from cancer. His skin was shining and he was smiling."

The Times of London also believes that Eric Clapton and a host of other musicians played on the tracks.