The world was shaken on November 29, 2001, when George Harrison, the beloved guitarist of The Beatles, passed away after a battle with cancer. For his bandmates, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the loss of George was not just the death of a fellow Beatle, but the end of an era that had defined their lives. In the years since George’s passing, Paul and Ringo have opened up about their memories of George, including their final moments with him, which continue to resonate deeply with both of them.
Their reflections provide a glimpse into the deep bond the three of them shared, beyond the music, and offer a poignant insight into the last days of their friendship with George Harrison.
The Final Days of George Harrison
In various interviews, both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have recalled the time leading up to George’s passing. After being diagnosed with cancer, George retreated from the public eye and spent his final months with family and close friends. As one of the most private members of The Beatles, George’s death brought an additional layer of personal grieffor Paul and Ringo, who were dealing not only with the loss of a friend but with the closing of one of the most significant chapters in their lives.
Despite his illness, George was still known for his wit and positive outlook, often keeping his sense of humor even as he faced life-threatening challenges. According to Paul and Ringo, his ability to stay upbeat in the face of adversity was part of what made the last moments with him so memorable.
Paul McCartney’s Reflection: The Peaceful Farewell
Paul McCartney has spoken on multiple occasions about the final time he spent with George Harrison. According to Paul, he and his wife, Linda McCartney, visited George at his home in Los Angeles, where he was receiving care. Despite George’s frail condition, Paul remembers their time together as peaceful, with George showing no signs of fear or distress.
“I don’t remember him as being frail,” Paul reflected in an interview. “I remember him as being very at peace. We didn’t talk about much other than old memories. We joked and laughed about the Beatles days. It was a beautiful, calm goodbye.”
In that final visit, Paul shared with George that “everything would be alright.” George responded with a quiet, knowing smile, showing that he was at peace with his own journey. For Paul, that moment of acceptance from George was something he held onto tightly in the years after his passing.
Ringo Starr’s Reflection: A Quiet and Emotional Goodbye
Ringo Starr also shared his own emotional memories of George’s last days, particularly the last conversation they had. Ringo, who had always had a close relationship with George, found solace in the fact that their final interaction was a quiet one, filled with love and mutual respect. Much like Paul, Ringo described George’s calm demeanor as a source of comfort.
“I went to see George when he was in the hospital, and it was very emotional for me,” Ringo recalled. “But I remember that moment when we looked at each other, and we didn’t need to say much. It was just the understanding that everything was going to be okay.”
Ringo, known for his more stoic personality, found it difficult to express his grief publicly in the wake of George’s passing, but he has admitted that he misses George deeply. The two had a unique friendship, and Ringo’s tribute to George after his death reflected the deep respect and admiration he had for him, both as a musician and as a person.
The Final Beatles Reunion: The Last Song Together
One of the most poignant aspects of George’s last days was the fact that, just months before his passing, he had reunited with Paul and Ringo for a final recording session. The trio recorded a few tracks together in the late 1990s, but it was George’s last recorded song with Paul and Ringo, “All Things Must Pass”, that became a significant symbol of their bond.
The song, written and performed by George, had an everlasting emotional resonance for the surviving Beatles. George’s lyrics about the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change took on an even deeper meaning as Paul and Ringo reflected on their friendship with him.
“It was George’s way of saying goodbye. And we all knew it was a significant moment,” Paul McCartney commented, recalling the bittersweet nature of that final collaboration.
The recording session was a return to their roots, capturing the essence of their time in The Beatles, but also acknowledging the personal growth each of them had undergone over the years. It was the last time the three Beatles would record together as a trio, making it a precious and emotional moment in their history.
The Legacy of George Harrison
The loss of George Harrison left a void in the lives of both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. But, as both have emphasized in their reflections, George’s spirituality, humor, and legacy continue to guide them. Even in his final moments, George was able to impart wisdom and peace to his bandmates, reminding them of the deeper meaning of life.
As Ringo Starr said in a tribute to George, “He was always the quiet one, but he was also the most spiritually advanced. His love for life and music lives on in everything we did together and in everything we do now.”
George’s legacy continues to influence Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the entire world of music. Their final moments with him serve as a poignant reminder of the friendship and love that defined their relationship and the music they created.
Conclusion: A Final Goodbye and a Continuing Legacy
The last moments Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr shared with George Harrison are filled with peace, acceptance, and a deep understanding of the bond that The Beatles shared. The final moments with George have become not just a personal memory for Paul and Ringo but also an emotional tribute to their bandmate. George’s legacy lives on in his music, his influence, and the cherished memories he left behind for his bandmates, family, and fans.
As we continue to celebrate The Beatles’ music, we also remember the powerful friendship between the three surviving members and the way George Harrison’s influence continues to resonate. His spirit lives on in every note, every song, and every memory shared by his bandmates.