Paul McCartney is a successful composer and performer who achieved worldwide fame as the co-songwriter, bassist, and co-lead vocalist of the Beatles. During his tenure in the band, he became prominent with his melodic bass-playing, wide tenor vocal range, and songwriting partnership with John Lennon.
McCartney met George Harrison when they both were attending the Liverpool Institute, and they felt an instant connection when they noticed they love the same kind of music. At that time, McCartney and his friend John Lennon were playing in a band called the Quarrymen. Although Lennon thought McCartney was too young to join the band, he impressed Lennon with his guitar talents. Later on, Harrison became a member of the band, which would later become the Beatles.
Paul McCartney has struggled with the loss of many important people throughout his life, including his mother, his wife of 30 years, his bandmate John Lennon, and George Harrison when he died from lung cancer on November 29, 2001, at the age of 58. As it turns out, when Harrison was at death’s door, he impressed McCartney by doing something unexpected. Let’s learn what Paul McCartney recalls from those days.
George Harrison Impressed Paul McCartney With His Strength While On Deathbed
Soon after he made his final television appearance at a VH-1 special in May 1997, Harrison was diagnosed with throat cancer. Following that, he was treated with radiotherapy, which was thought to be successful. On December 30, 1999, Harrison and his wife were attacked at their home by a 34-year-old man who was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Following the attack, the musician was hospitalized with over 40 stab wounds.
The injuries Harrison received during the attack and his unhealthy look made fans and Harrison’s social circle believe that the attack caused his cancer to return. In May 2001, the musician underwent an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his lungs, and he went to be treated for a brain tumor at a clinic in July same year. His health deteriorated, and he began radiotherapy in November 2001 for non-small cell lung cancer which had spread to his brain.
On November 29, 2001, Harrison passed away at a property belonging to McCartney on Heather Road in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. At the time of his death, he was only 58 years old. Following the sad news, the news reporters gathered outside of McCartney’s estate in Sussex to ask him about the incident. During the conversation, McCartney described Harrison as a great, strong, and loving man who will be remembered as such.
Moreover, Paul McCartney also said he saw George Harrison a couple of weeks ago, and he was laughing and joking with him as if he wasn’t quite ill. According to McCartney, Harrison was always fearless, and he impressed him with his strength before he ultimately passed away. However, that was not a surprise for McCartney as he knew Harrison was a strong person even before that.
Paul McCartney said the following after George Harrison’s death:
“George… I think his music will live on forever. His personality: he’s a very strong, loving man, but he didn’t suffer fools gladly, as anyone who knew him would know. He’s a great man. I think he would be remembered as a great man in his own right.”
He then continued:
“I saw him a couple of weeks ago. He was quite ill, obviously, but we were laughing and joking, just like nothing was going on. He’s always been a very brave guy, and I was impressed by his strength. But I kind of knew he’d be like that because that’s how he always was. Beautiful man.”
You can watch Paul McCartney’s reaction in the video below.
