The recent passing of guitarist and songwriter George Harrison saddened many of us, and was yet another sign that we're all getting "a little bit older and a little bit slower." I grieved as much as anyone who had their life shaped by the music of Harrison and the Beatles, but since his death I've developed a renewed appreciation for his work and for music in general.
The need to create art--whether it's music, painting, or whatever we deem art to be--is a need to express ourselves. Ego is certainly involved, but artistic expression is more about communication than ego; it's about connecting with the life forces that are all around us. And while it's easy to become cynical about the commercial aspects of the music industry, Harrison did a pretty good job of staying above the fray. He had his struggles, but his spiritual beliefs were strong and helped him withstand the demands that success placed on him.
Harrison was a deeply spiritual man, and the numerous articles I've read over the last month or so have helped me realize the depth of his beliefs and his commitment to music. The picture that has emerged is one of a successful but humble musician who looked fame and fortune in the eye, shook its hand, and then continued with his lifelong search for meaning and higher consciousness.
Harrison was also a song craftsman of considerable skill. In the bands I played with in high school and college I remember having many discussions with other musicians about which songs "allowed" improvised guitar solos and which required that the original performance be followed as closely as possible. We always agreed that "Something," one of Harrison's most enduring love songs, practically demanded a faithful interpretation, because its solo was integrated so perfectly with the rest of the song that it became an essential part of its structure. And while performing the solo section I never felt constrained, but always that I was playing the only notes that fit.
As for millions of others, the emergence of the Beatles and their music was a life-changing experience for me--although I don't think our youthful optimism really foresaw the magnitude of the impact they would have on popular music and culture. For a long time during my formative years, their music seemed like the only music that fit. There were other bands and musicians, but the Beatles connected with us on a totally different plane of meaning and purpose.
The Beatles helped me learn to be creative, and Harrison helped me appreciate the spirituality of music. For these things I'll always be grateful.