REMEMBERING
GEORGE
George Harrison's death was announced around
8am local time here in the UK. Although we all knew
that it would happen it just didn't seem real. I arrived
for work at From Me to You, Cavern Walks at around
8.30 to an unreal chill. Understanding that not everyone
who works here is a Beatles Fan it didn't account
for the atmosphere. The press and media representatives
from around the globe arrived soon and as the M T
V had been turned off in the mall the only sound that
could be heard was that of the journalists and their
interviewees.
There
was obviously an enormous interest from the worlds
press however as the news broke just as many locals
where beginning their days work. It was lunchtime
before the place began to fill up, people seemed to
be finishing work early because they came....and stayed,
and thats when the atmosphere began to warm. Margie
from Lucy In The Sky Cafe turned up the duke box playing
George songs and people where talking at last, people
who looked like they would never stare a camera in
the lens stood in line to say their piece, most with
tears in their eyes.
We
opened our book of condolence in the shop and Eddie
Porter The Magical Mystery Tour Guide was first to
sign. At this point the floral tributes, messages
and gifts on our Beatles Statue began to spill over
onto the mall, so much so that a local florist was
hired to maintain the display. Meanwhile just a few
meters away out on Mathew Street the John Lennon Statue
outside The Cavern Pub was receiving similar attention
more flowers more tributes.
People descended The Cavern Club steps to sign their
book and later that night Liverpool's "Blue Meanies"
played a free to see tribute concert. A book of condolence
was opened in the Town Hall where the flag flew at
half mast just like every other flag around The City.
On
Saturday morning people from all around the UK started
to arrive many with tales to tell. One that I will
always remember was a young girl from Scotland whom
I watched whilst she tearfully signed the book thanking
George for his hospitality at Friar Park when as a
child and seriously ill she spent time with George
and his family. The pictures that she produced brought
tears to my eyes, George with her and their families
in the kitchen, the grounds, the hall, very moving.
The
week that followed went much the same way. On Monday
evening a civic service was held at the City's St
George's Hall, where the book of condolence was made
available to a wider audience. Children of Dovedale
Road primary school George and Johns first School
sang " My Sweet Lord " to the crowd of thousands,
a song that they only rehearsed that day. The Lord
Mayor spoke a tribute then the people of Liverpool
once again stood in line to pay their respects whilst
watched by the worlds press.
Some
of you may be aware of the significance of the number
nine in John Lennon's life. Some of you may not have
known that John and George went to the same school
yet did not know each other. On the calendar John
Lennon and George Harrison passed away NINE days apart.
Steve Barnes, 2002
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