Memories of George

"I was speaking to Pete Best earlier on yesterday and he was extremely saddened by the news, he was a very close friend to George," said Beatless manager Tony Gibbon.

The reaction of the original Beatles drummer reflects the feeling of the entire musical world since news of his death broke.

And according to Tony, his individual skill and input in the Fab Four was one that was often overshadowed.

"George was a great thinker and an excellent songwriter and musician in his own right - I think it was a talent often hidden by the Lennon/McCartney partnership," he said.

"I think people will now look back in retrospect at his songs such as the brilliance of Here Comes the Sun and Something- which many people consider to be the best love song ever."

Beatless band member Jules Benjamin who performs as John Lennon, was also sad half of the famous band was now no more.

"Even though I was only born in the 60s and wasn't able to see the whole club scene at the time, it was still music I very much grew up with," he said.

"Their music is evergreen and timeless and will be a fitting memory to the talent of George Harrison."

Although saddened by the news, the tribute band is still going strong after 10 years together, with a performance scheduled in Russia during December.

"The band's music is even more popular than ever and even though they're only a tribute band when we play live the crowd still go wild," said Tony Gibbon.

The Beatles played twice in Worcester, the first time in June, 1963 and then again in September, both at the Gaumont. Freddie Starr and Mike Berry were also on the bill - tickets for which would have cost the equivalent of thirty-two-and-a-half pence today.

And with recent performances by the tribute band being as far as field as Beirut, the Beatles phenomenon and memories of George and John are still as strong - 40 years later.

n The stars pay tribute - P26.