When Joey Ramone died just a couple of months ago, I was saddened with tears. I sifted through articles and obituary's one after another, trying to learn, and pay respect to a personal hero. Punk music was fairly new to me and my obvious starting point was the Ramones. I was devastated. It was like moving to a new city, making a close friend and then learning of their death. However, with George Harrison, I find my attitude to be quite different. Rather than mourning the life of this legend, I feel the need and desire to celebrate his life for it was quite extraordinary.

I am twenty-four years old and grew up in a household raised by a mother who oozed Rock 'N' Roll. My mother grew up in New York in the sixties and followed the Beatles from the beginning of their career. She was at rehearsals for their first appearance on Ed Sullivan as well as both Shea Stadium concerts. Some people received TV dinners and fish sticks as kids but I was treated to a steady diet of Beatles of Stones. I can remember watching Yellow Submarine, Help, or music videos of 'Start Me Up' and 'Waiting on a Friend'. Basically, I had no say in the matter; Rock 'N' Roll was in my blood. As the product of a baby boomer parent, I was taught to love the Beatles and Mick Jagger as if they were family.

Once I was in high school, music started to penetrate on a deeper level than previously before. Possibly feeling nostalgic, I found myself with a copy of Yellow Submarine CD in my hand at the counter of my local record store. Sergeant Peppers Lonely Heart's Club Band was second to follow and although the year was 1993 it could very well have been 1967 as far as I was concerned for the music transcended anything I had ever heard before. Before I knew it, the entire Beatles catalog was in my possession. Their albums in my music collection were like family portraits aside the fireplace.

I feel very fortunate to have grown up with a perpetual love and fondness for the Beatles and George Harrison. George always held a special place in my heart and I always seemed to sympathize and relate to him. Listening today on the radio as tributes are pouring in, I hear many refer to him as the quiet one and immediately I think of John Entwistle from the Who. Overshadowed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George's role in the Beatles mirrors Entwistle's position in the Who as he was always standing in the background of the likes of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and Keith Moon as they competed with each other for attention. Despite their desire to avoid the limelight, they remained crucial and essential to their band's formula for success. Harrison's musical talent, combined with his ability to withstand the clashing egos of Lennon and McCartney, enabled one of the most essential Rock 'N' Roll bands of all time to leave a permanent, influential mark on society.

In early 1970 the Beatles dynasty came to an end and while many were mourning the loss of their Fab Four, George Harrison emerged with a wealth of new or unrecorded material. The All Things Must Pass Album showed the world just what George Harrison was capable of. Sure he could compose timeless classics such as 'While my Guitar Gently Weeps,' 'Something,' and 'Here Comes the Sun' as a Beatle, but how would he fare if he were responsible for an entire album worth of material? He shined and record sales were there as evidence to support him. George would go on to achieve modest success throughout his post Beatles career and it appears as though he was quite content with his life.

His life, possibly a short one, at only 58 years of age, was quite a fulfilling one. If there is any doubt in your mind ask yourself one question: Would you be happy if you led the life and achieved the success of George Harrison? The answer for me is a resounding yes. George achieved in his short life what many spend their whole life striving for. It is because of his accomplishments that I celebrate his life rather than mourn the loss of a brilliant man. George, thank you for everything you have given us: I have derived pleasure from all the music you've ever released whether it was in The Beatles, solo, or the Traveling Wilbury's. Also, I admire your good spirit and remarkable sense of humor during a time of hardship. George, buddy, I got my mind set on you and I hope someday to see you on Cloud 9.