The year 2001 brought two great tragedies to the world of entertainment with the death of George Harrison and Aaliyah. George Harrison, lead guitarist of the legendary 60’s band The Beatles, died November 29 at the age of 58. Rhythm and blues singer, actress, and model Aaliyah was killed in a terrible plane crash on August 25 at the age of 22.
George Harrison was born February 25, 1943 in Liverpool, England. Growing up, George had great interest in guitars which led to his successful career in music. At a young age George became friends with the other members of the future Beatles band John Lennon and Paul McCartney. He filled in for their former young band called The Quarrymen. At the age 16 George Harrison officially became the youngest member of the band.
George Harrison was an amazing guitarist. He played a number of types of guitars and actually mastered a variety of styles including slide guitar, twelve string, electric guitar, and even acoustic. George Harrison was able to play just about anything and he used this ability to provide variety in his songs and the songs of his band. Harrison, along with his gift at guitar, had a talent when it came to sounds. George was able to create just about any sound he desired. As a result, Harrison became an inventor of new sounds that even impressed and greatly influenced some other great musicians such as Roger McGuinn of The Byrds. George had developed a great talent throughout his life and with his fame he earned himself a number 21 spot on the Rolling Stone’s “Top 100 Best Guitarists of all Time” list.
In 1997, Harrison was diagnosed with throat cancer. Doctors attributed the cancer to his smoking habits of the early 60’s which he himself agreed with. The cancer was found in a lump in his throat but quickly the cancer spread all the way to his lungs. George had many operations in an attempt to remove the cancer from his body. Early in 2001 Harrison underwent what would be his last surgery which removed some cancerous growths in his lungs. Unfortunately, George Harrison lost his battle with throat and lung cancer on November 29, 2001.


Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979 in Brooklyn, New York Cite, NY. From an early age Aaliyah’s talents were evident and everyone knew she was bound to be a star. With a vocalist mother and an uncle in the business of entertainment law, her chance to become that star was a reality. At the age of five she was enrolled in voice lessons. She attended school at a Catholic private school where she participated in plays and musicals and was casted in main role such as little Annie.
At the age of 12, Aaliyah signed on with Jive Records where she met R&B singer R. Kelly. Being so young, R. Kelly became a mentor for Aaliyah and helped her write songs and produce her first album when she was 14. Her debut single “Back and Forth” hit billboard top for three weeks straight. Aaliyah had instant fame and from that point on was a force to be reckoned with.
However, during the peak of her career tragedy struck. After filming a music video for her upcoming release “Rock the Boat”, Aaliyah boarded a private plane with some of the members of her recording company. Contradictory to the plans, Aaliyah wanted to leave for home that night rather than wait in the morning to leave. This meant that their little plane had to carry all the electrical equipment which was a big load. Their little plane was not cut out for the work and 200 feet after takeoff crashed, at 6:45 PM on August 25. The crash took a total of 8 lives: Aaliyah, her hair stylist, a security guard, the pilot, the video producer, her stylist, and three of her record company employees.
After this misfortune there was much controversy. Allegations about uncertified pilots, plane defects, maximum capacity of weight, and autopsy results indicating drug use added to create complete chaos about the situation. All this controversy led to a “wrongful death” lawsuit by Aaliyah’s parent’s on the company who employed the pilot, Luis Morales III. The case was eventually dismissed but the damage was already done. Almost a week after the crash, Aaliyah was finally put to rest in Manhattan, New York.