George Harrison, who was the lead guitarist of the Beatles, was born on this day in 1943. He penned some of the most enduring songs the group ever produced, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Here Comes the Sun." He is also known for his fascination with Indian culture, at one point introducing the band’s audience to the sitar in the song "Norwegian Wood."
After the Fab Four broke up, he maintained a successful solo career, branched out into filmmaking, and collaborated with other stars like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. He died at 58 years old after treatments for throat and lung cancer, and a brain tumor.
You can learn more about the life of Harrison in this biography from the Oral Cancer Foundation, including his struggles with the disease.
