George Harrison

George Harrison joined John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1957, playing guitar for The Quarrymen. By 1962 the group had added Ringo Starr and become The Beatles, the most successful pop act in music history. George had a reputation as the quiet one, and his interest in Indian music and philosophy flavored the Beatles' work during the late 1960s. Several of The Beatles' most famous songs were written by Harrison, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something." His early solo work included a benefit concert for Bangla Desh and a hit single, "My Sweet Lord," which later became the centerpiece of a legal battle that lasted almost two decades (ultimately Harrison was victorious). Harrison got into the movie business, producing two films by the comedy group Monty Python's Flying Circus, and in 1987 his album Cloud Nine was a popular and critical success. In the '90s he performed with The Traveling Wilburys, a superstar group that included Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan. In 1999 he was stabbed and wounded in his home by an obsessed fan. Harrison died in November 2001 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Extra credit: "My Sweet Lord" was re-released as a benefit for charity after Harrison's death; the single reached #1 on the U.K. charts in January 2002... Harrison's first wife, Patti Boyd, had a famous love affair with guitarist Eric Clapton... Harrison has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of The Beatles (in 1988) and as a solo act (in 2004).