George Harrison died on 29 November 2001 at the age of 58.
Death is just where your suit falls off and now you’re in your other suit. You can’t see it on this level, but it’s all right. Don’t worry.
Harrison was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 after a lump on his neck was discovered. Although the prognosis initially looked positive, in early May 2001 he underwent an operation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs.
In July 2001 he received radiotherapy in Switzerland for a brain tumour, and in November 2001 began a further radiotherapy course at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City. When it became clear he would not recover, Harrison determined that he would not die in hospital, and with security consultant Gavin de Becker planned a secret funeral.
Harrison travelled to Los Angeles, and after collecting pain relieving drugs from UCLA Medical Center was taken to a house rented – and later owned – by Paul McCartney. He spent 36 hours drifting in and out of consciousness, with his wife Olivia and son Dhani by his side. At one point they were joined by Ravi Shankar, who played sitar music as they waited.
George Harrison died on 29 November 2001 at 1.20pm. The cause of death was listed on his Los Angeles County death certificate as “metastatic non-small cell lung cancer”. His body was wrapped in a shawl and covered with holy oils.
Twenty minutes after he passed away, staff from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery arrived to collect Harrison’s body. They briefly joined hands with Harrison’s family and friends, and prayers were said.
The body was taken in an unmarked white van to Dr Lee S Rosen, chief oncologist at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, who signed the death certificate. Harrison was cremated in a cardboard casket within 10 hours of his death.
The death certificate initially stated he had died at 1971 Coldwater Canyon Road in Beverly Hills, although it later came to light that no such location exists. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office launched an investigation, and the true location was revealed to be 9536 Heather Road, a Los Angeles house once rented and now owned by McCartney. A replacement death certificate was later issued.
Harrison’s ashes were taken to the family’s home in Hawaii, before being scattered in the River Ganges in a private ceremony. His family issued a statement, saying:
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 cannot wait, and love one another’.
Also on this day...
- 2016: George Harrison’s What Is Life gets new video
- 2012: Paul McCartney live: Rexall Place, Edmonton
- 2005: Paul McCartney live: Staples Center, Los Angeles
- 1989: Paul McCartney live: Forum, Inglewood
- 1979: Wings live: Apollo, Manchester
- 1968: UK album release: Two Virgins by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- 1967: Editing: Christmas Time (Is Here Again)
- 1966: Recording, mixing: Strawberry Fields Forever
- 1965: Radio: Saturday Club
- 1964: John Lennon appears on Not Only… But Also
- 1963: The Beatles live: ABC Cinema, Huddersfield
- 1963: UK single release: I Want To Hold Your Hand
- 1962: The Beatles live: Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1960: Paul McCartney and Pete Best are arrested in Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I assume they used a fake address to give privacy to the homeowner? It’s sad that it was considered necessary.
Had to be,,,,,,,,PPL would’ve mobbed the site and if he’d been burried, they’d exhume him. Such a simple beautiful man….cremated in a $10 cardboard box…….I will always love him……I grew up to them all…..
I agree. He was my favorite Beatle. He seemed to be sensitive. But of course I never knew or met him personally.
I think they try not to make another Mecca for beatleheads like us…
All things must pass… :^(
I had a near nervous breakdown when Georgie died. My mother broke the news the morning of November 30, and I was in total shock, anger, grief, you name it.
At least George’s friends gave him a great send-off one year later at the Concert for George, and he left us a fine posthumous album ‘Brainwashed’. I feel sad when I see photos of George smoking.
I thought that the assassination attempt against George when he was stabbed around Dec. 1999, I think, weakened him and led to an early death. But this article corrects that wrong view. George Harrison had throat cancer in 1997, before he was stabbed.
The plot twist is my YouTube video, “Cancer conspiracy. Here’s three treatments” by Brian Ruhe. Cancer was cureable then but is being suppressed.
Mr Ruhe, this not an appropriate place to promote your unlikely conspiracy theory. It is perfectly logical that the attack shortened George’s life.
George was (still is) my favorite Beatle. I find myself melancholy when I think of his passing so many years later. Listening to a lot of Beatle music the past couple days. Think I’ll finish with ‘All Things Must Pass’.
It’s very likely the stabbing hastened his death. It’s known that introducing places for cancer cells to spread via biopsy or surgery is a possible problem, so stab wounds, along with traumatizing and weakening the body, would also provide more avenues for the cancer to travel along and metastasize.
RIP George. You played your last notes here but I bet you and John are jamming right now. God bless for your music that will live on for ever.
Your with the lord. My sweet lord you are missed and always loved