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American Morning

Fans Mourn Quiet Beatle

Aired November 30, 2001 - 09:34   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: Back to the issue of George Harrison's death. Fans across Britain are mourning today. The Beatles made many places in Britain famous.

Tom Bagdoniovich (ph) is at one of them, Abbey Road in London, with reaction.

Good morning, Tom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning, Paula.

I'm standing at Abbey Road outside the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles recorded some of their greatest records, going back to "Love Me Do," back in 1962, and going right to something which George Harrison, one of their great records, was recorded for their last album, "Abbey Road." And the cover was photographed just across there.

A trickles of fans have been coming here. They've been coming leaving flowers and messages. The one behind me just says "All you need is love." There are other ones here saying "Hare Krishna." I spoke to one fan who said that she'd wept all morning and she was thinking of a song that George Harrison wrote called "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," one of his great tunes.

So a great deal of sadness. He's also remembered not just for his music, but for his charitable works. You will remember George Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh when there was great poverty and starvation there.

Tony Blair refers to his charitable work when he spoke about earlier today. This is what Tony Blair said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We grew up with the Beatles. Their music and the personalities of the band were the background of our lives. I think people will be very sad for his death.

And I think it is worth pointing out that he wasn't just a great musician and artist, but he did an immense amount for charity as well. He will be very, very sadly missed by people right around the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So Tony Blair there paying his tribute to George Harrison, one of Britain's great musicians and one of the great, fabulous Beatles, the Fabulous Four.

Back to you, Paula.

ZAHN: Tom, are you aware of any special memorials that will take place?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have just had a tribute here from the Abbey Road studios. They put out a message saying how deeply sorry they were that George Harrison had passed away.

I'm sure there will be further memorials, and the stars will be paying tribute. The fans are gathering here, from time to time, and perhaps there will be something greater later this the day -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thank you very much for joining us, Tom Bagdoniovich (ph), reporting from London for us today.

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