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American Morning

Music Lovers Mourning Death of Former Beatle Lead Guitarist George Harrison

Aired November 30, 2001 - 09:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Today music lovers all over the world are mourning the death of former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison.

As part of our global coverage this hour, CNN's Sherri Sylvester stands by in Los Angeles, where Harrison lost his fight with cancer yesterday. Our Michael Okwu has reaction from New York, and Strawberry Hills in Central Park.

Let's first go to Sherri Sylvester -- Sherri.

SHERRI SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, of course the Capital Records behind me symbolizes some of George Harrison's accomplishments. Inside, there are plaques lining the walls, signifying sales of Beatles albums, 8,000,000 copies of "Abbey Road" Alone.

Down the street here in Hollywood, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, George Harrison's star now carries some candles that were brought out here in the middle of night by fans of his. Reaction is also coming in today.

One of the quotes that's coming in that I wanted to tell you, Paula, comes from Michael Payland of Monty Python, and of course George Harrison did produce the "Life of Brian" film. He says George always called the quiet Beatle. He never stopped talking when I was with him. He had an enormous number of friends that were terribly loyal to him and will be very saddened.

Also Yoko Ono saying that George Harrison's life was magical. And the Beatle tour manager credits him with having a calming effect on the sometimes turbulent group.

George Harrison is being remembered today for his musicship, for his spirituality, for his humanitarianism, and many, many other things. We're finding out a lot more about him. Has been treated for cancer at various hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic in this Staten Island Hospital in New York, and he did come to Los Angeles, where he died yesterday at the home of friend with his wife and his son by his side.

At this time, we do not know if there's a public funeral planned for George Harrison. I'm Sherri Sylvester. Paula, back to you.

ZAHN: Thanks, Sherri.

Fans of course are already gathering at Strawberry Fields in New York's Central Park to remember George Harrison. Strawberry Fields was created in memory of John Lennon following his death.

CNN's Michael Okwu is there.

Good morning, Michael.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

You know, one of the 22 songs that George Harrison wrote for The Beatles is "Here Comes the Sun." But this morning, there is not much son. There is just quite a bit of sadness, and again, quite a few people who are stopping by to pay tribute to George Harrison, who of course was known as the quiet Beatle.

Even though known as the quiet Beatle, certainly didn't have the by pizzazz of the other Beatles, he was known as the spiritual man. in the way that he led his life and the songs that he wrote, and his life in general is certainly resonated with the fans, many of them who call themselves actually friends, who have descended upon Strawberry Fields this morning.

You can see behind me what was a tribute, and still is, of course, a tribute to one of his fallen brothers, is essentially been made up as a shrine now to George Harrison. There are candles burning. They started burning earlier this morning. A piece of artwork here that essentially says "Good-bye, George, may you and John be together forever." And there are, of course, flowers that have been strewn about on the ground here. People stop by, and they drop, and they kneel, and they reflect and pause about the life of George Harrison, and about the way he might have affected them.

And, of course, there is a piece of fruit here, an apple, that essentially reads, I might have told you there a little bit ago, Paula, that "No matter where you are, you're love was true."

Clearly a man whose life resonated with many people here in New York. A somewhat sad and somber day, even though so many people knew that this day was coming -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks, Michael.

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