George Harrison’s Fight

Help WRBB support the American Cancer Society and
Northeastern’s Relay For Life this month.

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Join us in remembering and acknowledging some of our favorite artists that have been affected by cancer.

George Harrison was legendary guitarist, singer-songwriter, and music revolutionist. Despite being the lead guitarist of the Beatles, Harrison was known as the “quiet one” in both the band and his family. He followed the lead of his brothers and dropped out of school, but found a new identity in his guitar and making music.

Right after turning 15 years old, Paul McCartney encouraged Harrison to audition for John Lennon’s band the Quarrymen, which would later be known as the Beatles. When Lennon saw Harrison’s incredible talent on the guitar, Harrison was accepted as the youngest member of the band.

As Beatlemania began to ensue throughout Europe and America, George Harrison made incredible advancements in music technology with the Beatles’ producer, George Martin. Back when music was recorded with tape, George Harrison pioneered the use of backward tapes, including a reversed guitar solo on “I’m Only Sleeping,” reverse sitar track on “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and backward vocals on Harrison’s “Blue Jay Way.”

The four members loved making music together, but Harrison was the first to grow tired of Beatlemania and touring. When the Beatles filmed and starred in the 1965 film Help!, a sitar was used as a prop, which piqued Harrison’s interest. He bought a sitar and immersed himself in Indian music, taking a solo trip to India to meet sitar legend Ravi Shankar for sitar lessons. Fascinated with Indian culture and music, Harrison incorporated the sitar and Hindu influences into pop tracks after returning to the studio.

In 1997, nearly thirty years after the Beatles broke up, Harrison was diagnosed with throat cancer due to years of smoking. After years of operations in attempt to remove cancerous growth, Harrison passed away on November 29, 2001. Following Hindu tradition, Harrison’s family scattered his ashes in the Ganges River in India.

George Harrison was curious, spiritual, innovative, and inspirational. By redefining pop and rock music with his collaborative musical advancements, Harrison left a major impact on the music of today. Without him and the Beatles, music would not be the same.

Why Relay?

As one of Northeastern’s largest philanthropic events, we are helping raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society at Northeastern’s Relay for Life on March 22, 2019. Our team of staff, DJs, writers, and music lovers, will be relaying and hosting a live radiothon over the air to remember and acknowledge those who have been affected by cancer. Help us reach our goal for this year and please consider donating. Your donation is hard at work funding cancer research to helping someone with their medical fees—every penny counts and means the world to people affected by cancer.