From an e-mail I received on 12/04/01
From: Rosanne Christie
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject: Remembering George Harrison
I stumbled on your site because a friend from work is playing at the Soda Pop Shop and I was reading your review. When I checked into your home page I saw your tribute to George Harrison. It is a beautiful sentiment that speaks to the heart of Harrison’s genius. At the risk of rambling I would like to share my experience of the Beatles and George Harrison with you.
I discovered the Beatles in the fall of 79, on my tenth birthday. Money was tight for my folks and they couldn’t afford much, so I told them I really wanted a record. They took me to the route one (not NJ, we were living in CT at the time) store Peaches. It was one of those large music stores covered in unfinished wood and large promotional paintings of album covers, historical and new (very “seventies”). As I walked in the store, my eyes glazed over with the choices. My parents are from the Nat King Cole era so they stood in the corner at let me roam the stack alone. ( I have since learned that not only is Nat King Cole cool, but so are my parents.)
One scruffy looking fellow with a satin jacket on, asked what I was looking for. I quickly told him my story nervously glancing in my parent’s direction. He smiled and picked up Sgt. Pepper’s and said, “I promise, you will never regret getting this one.” (He was right. I still have it even though I haven’t had a turntable in over 10 years.) I brought it home, carefully removed the shrink wrap from my special gift. From the first moment I placed that needle on the vinyl to the last chord, I was gone. I was in a different world. I could not get enough. Every quarter or dime I could save from my chores, went to music.
One day my sister ask me which was my favorite Beatle. I said George. She could not figure that one out. “Why not Paul or John?” she asked. My reply was simple. “Well, just listen.” I was ten and could not articulate what I was hearing but I knew it was probably the sweetest thing I ever heard. And it didn’t matter if it was the early Beatles or the studio years; to me it was all great stuff.
Over the years, my taste expanded and my music collection grew far beyond the “B” section. I discovered Buddy Holly, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin, Django Reinhart, Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell. I reveled in the Woodstock Soundtrack and lived and loved the 80’s (to this day when I refer to Elvis, I mean Costello, not Presley). I delved into Jazz and explored “world music.” I have always listened backwards and forwards, enjoying the many colors and sounds I have found along the way. Music is so deeply rooted in my life, that there isn’t a moment when I don’t have it playing. In bad times music is my refuge, good times music is my soundtrack, but always it is there.
Friday morning, I awoke like everyone else who is a Beatle fan. I was saddened at the news, but happy that George’s search for God was fulfilled. I was relieved that his pain was over. I got in my car for my daily drive to work (45 minutes on the GSP), and something wonderful happened. The local classic rock station was playing George’s music, and I began to reconnect with my first influence in music. Old memories came flooding back, like the time Lisa K and I were 16 and singing “Eight Days A Week” (including the harmony) through the halls of our empty school. Or the hours I spent, in vain trying to learn how to play guitar like George Harrison.
That night when I got home I pulled out all the Beatle/George Harrison music I could find, and I have been listening ever since. I am thankful to George Harrison for the beauty of his playing. It ignited a young girl’s interest in music many years ago and soothed that grieving woman’s breast many years later. How many people can you say that their life’s work paved the way to soothe the pain of their death?
I am also thankful to my scruffy friend who pointed to the curious album and said trust me. That small gesture helped to mold who I am today.
Oh my, I have rambled a bit. Oh, who am I kidding; I have rambled A LOT. Anyway, thanks for the read.
Sincerely,
Rosanne
