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FPSHOT
Aug 03, 2007, 02:52 AM
I was thinking about George a lot lately, I miss him. I was thinking of how his musical life has been, not calling it a career because George often in interviews said “I don’t have a career” which if you look at it is even true lol..

But I was thinking of his last 10 years on earth. Where for instance Olivia and Tom Petty both said in interviews how much George had wanted to have a band again, and now looking back we can be happy for him that before he went on his last journey, he had the band he wanted. And when you see how happy he looks being part of the Wilburys in all the videos and interviews and also just simply on the recordings, isn’t is just amazingly wonderful that after The Beatles he did have that band with people he wanted in it and where he played such a significant role.

Before the Wilburys George was present at many things like The Prince’s Trust concerts and all these events where he would be on stage, but always was the individual and he would leave the guitar solos to others, just from being shy and modest. But from when he started with Jeff Lynne, George came out of this shy and modest period as I see it. He said in interviews how much he loved working together with someone again and they did make a great album together.

And then with the Traveling Wilburys he maybe was inspired by Jeff to do that band thing, so there he was with Roy Orbison suddenly who The Beatles had toured with in the early 60's and when I read the Anthology book there is so much adoration for the man who made so many hit records at the time of the early Beatles and then suddenly almost 3 decades later Roy is within George’s band and such a driving force within it. Then there is Bob who always was an inspiration for George and probably the most important influence for All Things Must Pass. And then there is Tom Petty who became maybe one of the closest musical friends to George in his last years.

So the gardener had his own band. His wish came true and they left us some awesome songs. Ofcourse they talked about going on tour but then again George probably told them how he thought about that and it was just left as it was. Besides... how would Bob have been able to fit this in his agenda where is always is on tour and...... the "family" thing from the Wilburys... recording songs round the kitchen table and in the nice houses they did it in and then going all up to Friar Park and within that amazing atmosphere they would give it the finishing touches.... would a tour have been good for them comparing it with the relaxed atmosphere and George saying in interviews how much he would hate to travel from one motel to another....I think what the Wilburys gave us is just perfect.

Us fans always want more but when you just play the two albums and hear how George is leading there with his slide guitar, being the manager of the band and also the producer of the end-product, it is just amazing how he came out of his gardens and took hold of this new project so easily. And also was more prominent in appearances.

Look at the Wilbury videos and George is just so much there as a person and also a guitarist, playing the most beautiful parts in songs like Handle With Care.

And in the end…. One of the last things he did musically was making a song with Dhani.

These are just part of my thoughts about the last 10 years of George’s life on earth.

Wanna share some views on this?

I like Ringo
Aug 03, 2007, 02:57 AM
Lets hope George son Dhani do something musically...

FPSHOT
Aug 03, 2007, 03:05 AM
he does... he has thenewno2..he played on Brainwashed and he is involved in all the re-release projets, he plays on a few Wilbury songs....

Lucy
Aug 03, 2007, 03:52 AM
Beautiful thread FPSHOT, beautifully said.

And i like ringo, you must check out thenewno2. Great, great music.

beatlebangs1964
Aug 03, 2007, 09:04 PM
Can't improve on perfection, FPSHOT.

Although I did not know George personally, I feel I can honestly say that I love George. He was a good man and someone who, I feel brought many closer to God by his humility and by his recognition of the spiritual component of our lives.

George was and continues to remain a strong influence on the lives of many. My church uses some of George's songs for our prayer meetings and discussion groups. George wrote beautiful prayers such as "Dear One" which he set to music. Our prayer group loves that one in particular.

George was a musical gardener. See, he planted these seeds of wisdom and insight; cultivated them and they in turn took root and bore fruit among countless many. George nutured and nourished all of his gardens, musical and otherwise and his music is something that will remain part of all of our lives for the remainder of our lives.

Another reason I love George is that he was humble. I really believe George gave his music to God and credited God. This in turn led to some incredible works such as his beautiful spiritual songs such as "The Lord Loves the One Who Loves the Lord" and many others. Our prayer group at church discusses George's music among other things and how it has helped to unify many people for good purposes.

Hari's Chick
Aug 03, 2007, 09:38 PM
Well spoken indeed. I like how you frame a lot between the gardening and the Wilburys. That certainly seems the perfect niche for George? :) Peaceful times, good company and music, and a good laugh!

Touring~ wasn't it Tom who got down on his knees before George begging to tour "please, for the money?" :teeth1: And yet George said no... and saved his traveling for his trip to India in the mid 90's, or to Maui, Australia, and even Switzerland's beauty.

Recently I was breathing the LA air and thinking how George came here to pass. Yes, he came to the UCLA medical center... trying until days before to save the material body. Deepak told us why~ out of love for his family. Deepak said that was purely why, but George...was waiting and ready to see Krishna.

The Wilbury's... yes, yes... Roy was so important to George... and Bob.. And what better friend in the world than Tom...

What is important to me also in George's last years in this body was the significance of his dawning once again his ISKCON/Krishna beads... his "dog collar"....as he referred to it, with Krishna holding the other side. He had taken them off for a period after Prabhupada's passing. Then in the 90's they are back again. Hare Krishna.

I only wish he could have completed the plans he'd shared so enthusiastically with Tim White. But I try not to think of that or the tears come. Could we ever have left him go? No way. Not even at 102...

FPSHOT
Aug 03, 2007, 09:40 PM
Thanks HC, this is really nice to read. I did hope to make this thread be about the last say 10 years of George's presence on earth.

Well you know...Tom Petty was a bit the young one in the band and still a bit of a 'wild boy' I guess :smile1:

I would like to look at those plans he shared with Tim White but I understand and respect your emotions so I wil locate that.

Thank you...

Hari's Chick
Aug 03, 2007, 10:00 PM
You know, I imagine it is online, but I do not know where.. When George became ill, I went to the library and looked through every single periodical on file (I had no computer) and came across that interview. I was looking for any any info on George, just wanting to see he was well.

When I found that interview it was George speaking about what would become Brainwashed (Portrait of a Leg-End.... LOL... bad humor and always wondered if Paul laughed...), and about repackaging/remastering the old lp's and he said he had so many songs waiting for release (he said I think over 20). Also he said something about how he was just beginning... that type of thing... really enthusuastic...

But also George was busy meditating four hours each day. Deepak spoke of that... and he and Deepak had a long silent retreat together... George doing his japa, going to the Bhaktivedanta Manor celebration... so so much... spiritually as well, especially.

FPSHOT
Aug 03, 2007, 10:03 PM
Thanks you :smile1:

Now I know which you mean.. about Timothy White and about Deepak...I will find it..I know I have seen it

Thanks and yes LOL I also wondered what Paul thought of the provisional album title

Hari's Chick
Aug 03, 2007, 10:09 PM
Thanks and yes LOL I also wondered what Paul thought of the provisional album title


You're welcome. :)

Only George would have the nerve to make that joke publically. :laugh5: He could never let a good joke go by... once the eyes sparkled, you knew one was coming. :smile1:

FPSHOT
Aug 03, 2007, 10:17 PM
You're welcome. :)

Only George would have the nerve to make that joke publically. :laugh5: He could never let a good joke go by... once the eyes sparkled, you knew one was coming. :smile1:

I know exactly which smile you mean, I remember we shared many laughs about a few interviews he did after the Wilbury where he did exactly that several times, there is one I know in the 1st Box set...omg yes amazing...

pattiboyd's slave
Aug 06, 2007, 08:29 AM
I think I learned the most about George through his beautiful music. period.