Olivia Harrison and Paul McCartney Lead Celebrations on George Harrison’s 79th Birthday
George Harrison‘s loved ones, including his widow, Olivia Harrison, and his fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney, are leading celebrations on what would have been George’s 79th birthday.
The “My Sweet Lord” singer was a pretty humble person. So we don’t know how he would have felt about all the attention with birthday wishes. We’re not even sure about when George’s birthday really is. Records show that he was born on Feb. 25, but some fans think he was born just before midnight on Feb. 24.
Either way, George turns 79 this year and we hope he’s having a party wherever he is.
Olivia Harrison, Paul McCartney, and others wish George Harrison a happy 79th birthday
Late at night on Feb. 24, George’s official Instagram account posted a video of pictures of George with “Pisces Fish” playing in the background. The account wrote, “Happy Birthday, George.”
George’s widow, Olivia, posted the same video at the same time only she captioned her post with: “Dear George, I hope there is a party going on wherever you are.”
Paul McCartney posted a picture taken by his late wife, Linda McCartney, of him and George recording in the studio in the late 1960s. He captioned his post with: “So many sweet memories of George. – Paul.”
John Lennon’s official Twitter also posted a series of photos of George and John for the occasion.
Meanwhile, George’s only son, Dhani, posted a clip on his Instagram from George’s last public interview with VH1, alongside Ravi Shankar. During the clip, George talked about the political party, the Natural Law Party, which follows the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
He said society needed to be healthy, and that there has to be a balance in everything. Dhani could have posted this video as a response to the current global affairs, as well as honoring his father.
Traveling Wilburys send their birthday wishes
In the late 1980s, George and Jeff Lynne formed the supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys with fellow musicians, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. Petty once said that George loved being a Wilbury. It was an excuse to jam with his friends. They even used pseudonyms on both their albums to keep more private. George’s name was Nelson Wilbury.
George’s fellow Traveling Wilburys have wished George a happy birthday on their official Instagram. They posted a photo of George playing guitar sometime during the band’s life and wrote, “Happy Birthday, Nelson Wilbury!”
Speaking of bands that George was associated with, The Beatles also posted a tribute video to George on their official Instagram. The video has various clips of George’s time in The Beatles and his “Here Comes The Sun” plays in the background.
There’s some debate on when George’s birthday really is
Records state that George’s birthday is Feb. 25. However, some sources believe he was born the night before and that someone changed it to read Fed. 25.
Beatles Bible acknowledged the confusion in dates but said Feb. 25 was correct. They wrote, “Some sources list George’s birth date as 24 February, but his birth certificate specified the following day as the true date.”
Meanwhile, WFUV 90.7 reported, “Even though most sources still list his birthday as being February 25, it’s quite possible that he was actually born on February 24. Later in his life, George found out that birth records say that he was born just before midnight of February 24, 1943. That said, George’s birth certificate lists February 25 as the day.”
An anonymous Quora user wrote, “A good deal of confusion as to his real birthday was solved when a family birth record noted him as being born shortly before midnight around 11:50 P.M. on February 24th, 1943. He had believed his birthday was February 25th for his entire life.”
Another user claims that George preferred to celebrate his birthday on Feb. 24, after discovering the truth about his birthday.
A 2001 edition of Billboard magazine printed George’s birthday as Feb. 24. They also wrote that he was born at 11:42 p.m. that night.
However, there’s no evidence that George’s birthday is on Feb. 24. There are no accounts or interviews where he talks about suddenly finding out about his real birthday later in his life either.
Regardless, George would have been 79 years old. Fans and George’s loved ones are celebrating him on his birthday in their own way. It’s like Olivia said; we hope he’s having a party where he is.
