|
OCTOBER 01 - DEC 01 NEWS
GEORGE NEWS
NNY POST BY MARSHA KRANES
George Harrison,
emaciated and in excruciating pain, sought the privacy of a friend's secluded
home in Studio City, Calif., after his final, desperate efforts to cure his
cancer had failed. His wife and son, knowing the end was near, kept a round-the-clock
vigil at his bedside in the sprawling white house tucked into a hillside on
Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The house and the privacy came courtesy of long-time
family friend Gavin de Becker, a security specialist to the stars who made
sure all was serene behind his 10-foot-high, ivy-covered white gates. On Thursday,
Harrison's desperate battle to fend off the disease that first attacked his
throat, then his lungs, and finally his brain, ended. "He died with one thought
in mind - love one another," de Becker said. Harrison, 58, didn't give up
without a fight.
Five months ago, he denounced a British newspaper for reporting he was near
death and "accepting it perfectly happily." He called the story "unsubstantiated,
untrue, insensitive and uncalled for." The youngest Beatle's last months were
spent traveling the world seeking treatment from top specialists - to cure
his cancer or to ease the pain so he could enjoy the time he had left with
his wife, Olivia, and their 24-year-old son, Dhani. His first bout with cancer
came in 1997 when a lump was discovered in his throat. He had it removed in
August and underwent two courses of radiation treatment at the Royal Marsden
Hospital near London. "I got it purely from smoking," he later said. "Luckily,
they found that this nodule was more of a warning than anything else. I'm
not going to die." But he was concerned enough to begin monitoring his health
more closely - going to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.,
for regular checkups. During a visit there in January 1998, he was told his
throat cancer had not returned. The good reports continued for the next two
years. Then, this March, doctors discovered he had lung cancer. In May he
underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic - and reportedly had half a lung removed.
When he was discharged, his lawyers proclaimed the operation a success. But
within months, the malignancy resurfaced, this time attacking his brain. Harrison
went to Switzerland for cobalt radiation treatment at the famed Sainta Giovanni
Hospital in Bellinzona. After he was released, he told reporters, "I am feeling
fine. Please do not worry." But his Swiss doctor wasn't as optimistic. "He
has not recovered," he said. Harrison rented a villa nearby while he convalesced
and considered his options. On Oct. 1, British musician Jools Holland and
singer Sam Brown visited him there to record a song the ex-Beatle had co-written
with Dhani.
The song "Horse to the Water" is a farewell from Harrison – with references
to his losing battle with cancer. The song, sardonically credited to RIP Ltd.
2001, is on Holland's newly-released British album "Small World Big Band."
A week later, Harrison and his family left Switzerland for the serenity of
his beachfront estate on Maui, where he continued his convalescence. As his
health continued to deteriorate, he began searching for a last-resort cure.
In late October, frail and unable to eat, he settled on Staten Island University
Hospital and Dr. Gil Lederman's revolutionary fractionated sterotactic radiosurgery
- a non-invasive procedure that attacks tumors with pinpoint-accurate, high-doses
of radiation. Harrison was in great pain and horribly thin when he checked
into the Hospital as George Arias, using his wife's maiden name. Lederman
told The Post some patients come to him because his treatment offers them
a good
chance of being cured. "And others, whose cancer is widespread and there's
no chance of a cure,come because they want to get out of
the pain and suffering. They might be able to have a few more weeks or months
of comfort, and be able to share time with family and friends." Harrison was
in the second category. Throughout his hospitalisation on Staten Island, at
least two private bodyguards
stationed outside Harrison's room. Among the few admitted past the guards
were former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. "Paul was tearful and
sad about seeing George sick," said a source closeto Harrison. "George's passing
would be a major blow to both of
them." On Nov. 7, Harrison checked out of the Staten Island hospital. The
treatment had worked - he was in much less pain. But he was still gravely
ill. He stayed in a house on the island for two weeks while undergoing treatment
on an outpatient basis, Lederman said. He described Harrison during those
weeks as "quiet and dignified." And despite his illness, he said, Harrison
was "a very caring and very giving man" - something the doctor saw firsthand
when his patient overcame pain and discomfit to give his son, Ariel, 13, a
guitar lesson. "My son played for George and George played for him, and then
he took a pen and signed the guitar "to Ariel from George Harrison" Lederman
said. "He believed death was a part of life. He was not fearful of death,"
he added. But he continued to fight for his life. From Staten Island he flew
by private jet to LA, where he checked into UCLA Medical Center - this time
to try chemotherapy. "It's only a matter of days," a family friend said of
his chances last weekend. A source agreed: "He's very weak and the prognosis
is dire."
THE LAST THREETLE GET TOGETHER
George enjoyed
an emotional last meal with fellow Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
just days before lost his tragic battle
with cancer, the Sunday People can reveal today. Legendary pop pals Macca
and Ringo flew to New York to say farewell to George after he told them he
didn't have long to live. Although he was desperately ill, the three friends
laughed and joked for hours as they chatted about the heady days of Beatlemania.
And George drew great strength and solace form his last meeting with two of
his closest friends. A source close to Paul said last night: "They knew this
was their last supper. It was really emotional. "There were some tears - but
there was more laughter than anything else." George's doctor Gil Lederman
also sat in on part of the historic meeting. He said: "It was a spirited affair,
not a sombre one. "There were lots of laughs and lots of fun. They spent hours
reminiscing. "For me, it was a unique phenomenon to be there. The whole experience
was an incredible one. These were the icons of my life - some of the most
important people of the 20th century. "There were tears, but George remained
very much the man of dignity. "At the end, after both Paul and Ringo had left,
he was fine and calm. He was a very happy man. This meeting meant so much
to him." The three Beatles met for lunch on Monday, November 12 - just 17
days before George lost his ongoing battle with throat cancer. Paul was the
first to arrive after flying in from London with fiancee Heather Mills. Drummer
Ringo drove to George's apartment from a hotel nearby after jetting in a few
days earlier. Frail George, 58, who was on medication, ate a vegetarian meal
and drank only water. But the old friends laughed and chuckled throughout
the 90-minute lunch. Then just before Ringo said he had to go, George's family
and other friends retired to leave the three music legends alone together
for the last time. Paul's friend said: "Over the years they'd all had their
differences, but all those disagreements were tossed aside as they realised
just how much they meant to each other. "Paul always remembers that George
and he spent their first meeting laughing at each other's jokes - and it was
appropriate that their last moments together were the same. With Ringo there,
feelings ran high and all three had so much to say to each other. They just
chatted and chatted - and it was George who set the tone with his humour.
He had them all in fits of laughter. He may have been close to death, but
he refused to let that defeat his great sense of humour." George left after
lunch for his treatment at Staten Island University Hospital. But Paul - who
called the Beatles' lead guitarist his "baby brother" - insisted on staying
until he returned. He spent the rest of the day with him and his wife Olivia,
cherishing their last moments together. Paul's friend said: "Paul did say
to George and Ringo that he regarded them as his brothers and his true family."
As they talked about the Beatles' early days in Hamburg and their experiments
with drugs and religion, "you could feel the warmth between them". The pal
added: "George was clearly picked up by the afternoon. He was smiling, happy
and seemed so delighted to see his friends. "Deep down he knew this was their
last moments together and realised just what a great life they had together.
"Of course there were tears, but that was during the goodbyes. "For the most
part George, Paul and Ringo forgot about his condition and all seemed to carry
on as if they hadn't been apart from each other for 30 years." One of the
high points was George's recollection of losing his virginity in a Hamburg
hotel while the other Beatles slept in bunk beds next to him. They then cheered
and clapped after he finished making love to a stunning blonde teenager. The
friend said: "The story still makes them all laugh today. "And that was the
abiding emotion of the day - laughter and happiness. It was a wonderful day
for George."
PAUL NEWS
Driving Rain Track Listing
| Lonely
Road From A Lover To a Friend She's Given Up Talking Driving Rain I Do Tiny Bubble It Must Have Been Magic Your Way Spinning On An Axis About You Heather Back In The Sunshine Again Your Loving Flame Riding Into Jaipur Rinse The Raindrops Freedom |
 |
Paul’s new album “Driving Rain”, was released worldwide (except Australia) on November 13. Australia got it two weeks later on November 26. Amazingly the entire album (sans the recently recorded “Freedom”) was available over the internet as MP3’s as long ago as late September! At the last moment Paul recorded a version of his new anthem “Freedom” and added it to the album as the last track. It was then decided to issue the song as a single, prompting Capitol in the U.S. to recall the just released single “From a Lover To a Friend”. In the U.K. though they just made “Freedom” the second CD Single. To promote “Driving Rain” Paul made a radio special that was aired throughout America during the week of November 20 –25. In it Paul gave an in-depth interview about the recording of the album. We’ll let you know if any outtakes were aired.
U.S.
& U.K. Single (#1):
Release Date: October 29
CD Single: From A Lover To A Friend; From A
Lover To A Friend (David Khane Remix 1);
From A Lover To A Friend (David Khane Remix 2);
Cassette Single: Lover To A Friend; Riding
To Jaipur;
From A Lover To A Friend (Remix 2)
7" Single (UK Only): From A Lover To A Friend/Riding
To Jaipur
NOTE: U.S release was recalled on Nov 2
U.S.
& U.K. Single (#2):
Release Date UK: November 5
Release Date US: November 13
CD Single: Freedom (Studio Mix); From a Lover
to a Friend; From a Lover to a Friend (David Kahne remix #2)
In Australia I believe we will get the second single
by mid December.
A promo video for “Freedom” was quickly put together and premiered on MTV on Nov 2. It was premiered in the UK on “Top of the Pops” on Nov 23 (shown in Oz on Nov 25) along with a short Paul interview. The video has footage from Paul’s recent “Freedom” recording session. Promos for “Loving Flame” and “From A Lover To A Friend” also reportedly exist but have yet to be screened anywhere in full. Promo ads for the album aired in the U.S. in late October.
VHS Video and DVD of “Wingspan” was issued in the U.S. & U.K. on November 13 and in Oz before Xmas. The DVD contains 18 extra minutes of interview material and has some slightly longer segments that were in the TV version. There is also 100 pictures taken by Linda including many never seen before and two or three promo clips as well including one for “Rockestra Theme” using the recording session footage from 1978.
The Sun Records tribute album “Good Rockin’ Tonight” was issued in America in late October with it’s accompanying TV doco airing across America on Nov 29. A DVD is also being issued with further material being added. Paul’s track is a cover of “That’s Alright Mama”.
Paul has recorded a brand new song for the new Tom Cruise movie “Vanilla Sky”. Originally the producers wanted to use Paul’s song “From A Lover To A Friend” but Paul recorded a brand new song at his LA sessions in June. The track will probably be the theme tune called appropriately “Vanilla Sky” and is an acoustic number. The movie opens across America in December with it’s soundtrack album released on December 11.
A brand new classical piece written by Paul, "Ecce Cor Meum" was premiered on Nov 10 at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, England. The piece was described as "an Oratorio in 4 movements written for The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford". Both Paul and Heather attended. Chelsea Clinton was also present. The performance was in two parts. None of Paul's music was featured in the first part. The second part of the performance was Paul's “Ecce Cor Meum” which has four movements Spiritus Spiritus, State of Grace, Ecce Cor Meum and Musica. The program described it as this: "Ecce Cor Meum was written at the invitation of Magdalen College specially for Magdalen College Choir. It is scored for choir and small orchestra and tonight receives its first public performance. There are four movements, each of which begins with unaccompanied voices, and the text combines both English and Latin. The music is full of colour and drama and, of course, a wealth of glorious melody". At the end of the performance Paul gave a short speech and later signed some autographs outside when leaving.
As you all are no doubt aware by now, Paul headed an all-star cast of musicians and celebrities at the fund-raising “Concert For New York” on November 20. Paul closed the concert following fantastic sets from David Bowie, The Who (featuring a bearded Zak Starkey looking all the world like his dad!), Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards (The walking skeleton!), Elton John, James Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Bon Jovi and heaps of movie stars and celebrities. The concert was a wonderful celebration of New York's heroes and its spirit. David Bowie opened the show, singing Paul Simon's "America." Paul closed it, singing "I'm Down", "Lonely Road", "Yesterday", "Freedom", "From a Lover To a Friend", "Let It Be" and an all-star reprise of “Freedom”. The concert was telecast live and commercial free on VH1 all around the world expect Australia of course who got a 90 minute edited version a week or so later that was completely unpromoted and put on at 11pm at night! Typical. Anyway they only showed three of Paul’s songs and barely one of each other act. The original concert lasted over 4 hours. Following the amazing concert, Paul & Heather joined everyone for an after show party that reportedly went till dawn. At one point Paul joined Dan Ackroyd and Jim Carrey in a rendition of “I Saw Her Standing There”! Paul also mingled with lots of celebrities including Bill Clinton.
It seems that even before the NY concert, Paul had intended to do a series of worldwide concerts beginning with a massive one in Red Square, Moscow in late October followed by a series of smaller ones around the world (so Australia in November, as rumoured, may have actually happened!). Due to September 11 all of these plans have now been put on hold but he will be performing at the anniversary do for the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway on December 11 and he has also said he may well do a small gig in London before the year is up and thinks he may tour next year, which of course will depend on the world situation.
Paul will perform a solo concert for BBC Radio 2 in front of a crowd of only 200 at the BBC's Radio Theatre on Thursday 13 December. But unfortunately this concert has now been cancelled because of George’s death and will be rescheduled in the new year. Paul’s appearance at the “Top of The Pops Awards” was also cancelled but we haven’t heard if he has cancelled his appearance at the 40th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway on December 11.
For Those keeping tab, here’s a rundown of most of the public outings Paul has been to in recent months:
September:
4: Venice Film Festival, Premiere of “Tuesdays”, Venice, Italy
8: PETA Awards, New York, USA
9: U.S. Open Men’s Tennis Final & after game party, New York, USA (won by
Australia’s own Lleyton Hewitt)
10: Redbook “Mothers and Shakers” Awards, New York, USA
11: Stranded on airport tarmac due to Trade Centre tragedy, New York, USA
22 (Circa): travelled to New York’s Ground Zero, New York, USA
October:
4: National Poetry Week Recital, Queens Theatre, London, UK
8: Stella’s First Gucci Fashion Show, Paris, France
11: New York Yankees Baseball Game, New York, USA
18: Rehearsals for “Concert for New York” & Press, New York, USA
19: Rehearsals for “Concert for New York”, Press & MTV with NT Mayor, New
York, USA
20: Rehearsals and performance at “Concert for New York” & press and after
concert party, New York, USA
21: New York Yankees Baseball Game, New York, USA
22 (Circa): NY Studio for Recording and remixing song “Freedom”, New York,
USA
Late: Shooting Promo for “Freedom”, New York, USA
30: Mary McCartney Photo Exhibition “Necklines”, London, UK
November:
1: Anti-Landmine Benefit at the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK
3: World Men’s Day, Vienna, Austria
10: Premiere of new classical work “Ecce Cor Meum”, Oxford, UK
12: Flies to New York to visit George along with Ringo
13: Flew back to London and does Virgin Radio interview
Mid: Interview for Swedish “TV4”, London, UK
23: Interview on “Top of the Pops” & “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross”,
London, UK
26: Literary Festival Recital, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
29: Attends Canadian Landmine benefit “Night of A 1000 Dinners” at the Canadian
Embassy in London, UK
30: Is interviewed at Heathers Southern England house and later at Cavendish
Ave after news of George’s death is announced
RINGO NEWS
Ringo
has spent much of November and December being with his daughter Lee who
was admitted to a Boston hospital with a reoccurrence of
her brain tumour. There is no current update as to her condition but with
this and then George’s death it must be very hard on poor Ringo
and Barbara.
