This is not to imply that the passing of Mr. Harrison held no import in my life, but rather, to paraphrase the Bible, that there is a time to every purpose. This would be true whether the Bible had said it or not. as such is the beauty of the Bible and it's counterparts in religion and philosophy; pretty much everything therein would be true even if it had never been written.

About half of the shows I play are at venues where I am  unknown to virtually everyone in attendance. It is on these nights that I feel that my ultimate achievement would be that of utter invisibility. On these evenings it has become customary for me, just prior to going on, to retreat to my car in a moment of privacy, and surf the radio in search of some divine inspiration to get me through the job I have before me. On one such evening of recent passing, I stumbled across a station playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and was stricken with a memory long forgotten.

I was in fourth grade, having just moved to a new school, sitting with two classmates with whom I had very little acquaintance, one being a gal with whom I was terribly smitten, and  the other a lad by whom I was mildy intimidated, as I was by all upon who's territory I was, as the new kid, now encroaching.We were conversing on a topic that was popular in it's day, that being  "who was our favorite Beatle". This gal, object of my desire, offered up her love for John; I, like so many, was a "Paul man", and this other lad leaned back with an air of disdain and chirped "I like George". I am quite certain that he observed this fact simply for it's shock value.  After all, who liked George? I remember admiring his individuality and thinking he was "cool".

I never realized any tangible connection with the John-girl; she soon after moved away never to be seen by me again. Neither did I strike up any kind of lasting friendship with this George-guy, but we became mildly reacquainted during my senior year in high school, where I was not surprised to find that he had developed a rather unique,"alternative", and particularly earnest interest in music, as a listener, but not a player. I often wonder where he is these days, although I have no interest in seeking him out.

"Greatness is the product of circumstance" - so sayeth Gary Oldham in The Contender - and George Harrison most assuredly rose to the occasion given the remarkable circumstances of his time.  He was one quarter of the magic that became the Beatles' music, no more, no less. And I truly believe that his playing and musical sensibility would be as influential today had he never been heard  until now, circumstances different as they may be.  In his playing he spoke in complete thoughts, mimicking and redefining the styles of his mentors, as is the task of all artists in their respect for those who came before.  He seemed to understand that the beauty of music is comprised of the quality and sum of it's parts, although his contribution was of the kind that could easily stand alone, independent of the supporting collective of which it was but a single voice.  The music he created, both with the Beatles and beyond, enhancing in spirit and spoke of the universal;  of love and peace, of the darkness that lurks just beyond the edge of the light by which it is pierced ..  the light generated by the quest for understanding perfection, and the undying belief in  all that is truly good.

Perhaps the reason why I waited so long to express my feelings regarding his death is that, for all this contemplation, I cannot put my finger on exactly how I have been inspired by his having existed, yet, over the past year or so not a day has gone by that I did not find myself, if only for a moment, mulling over just what I would say when I finally sat down to write this missive. Perhaps it is the simple fact that he helped to pave the very road on which I walk today, as did so many who came both before and after. Perhaps it is the omnipresence of the music in which he helped to make, or made all by himself.  Perhaps it is for all those times I, whence embarking upon a creative process, thought about what he might have done. Perhaps it is that, although I never wanted to BE George Harrison, those artists whom I wished to emulate were either those whom he clearly emulated, or were his contemporaries, for all apparencies, his friends, and most definitely his respectful peers.  Perhaps this subliminal presence having been with me throughout
my musical endeavors, yet having never completely solidified, that has led me in need of putting down my thoughts here today ..  perhaps this is the most divine inspiration of all.

God rest ye merry George - God rest ye well ... 
and thanks for the music.

Photo ©2003 Michelle Boudros Used by permission