Paul McCartney has opened up about The Beatles’ final meeting with George Harrison, sharing never-before-revealed details about the poignant gathering that took place just weeks before Harrison’s passing in November 2001. The touching conversation offers…
In a deeply emotional and reflective interview, Sir Paul McCartney has opened up about The Beatles’ final meeting with George Harrison, sharing never-before-revealed details about the poignant gathering that took place just weeks before Harrison’s passing in November 2001. The touching conversation offers fans a rare glimpse into the final moments shared between the iconic bandmates and longtime friends.
McCartney, speaking during an exclusive feature for a forthcoming BBC documentary titled George Harrison: In the Material World Revisited, recalled the bittersweet meeting with Harrison, who had been battling cancer. The reunion occurred in a private room at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, where George was receiving treatment.
“It was just the three of us — me, Ringo, and George. We were in this small room, no fanfare, no cameras. Just old friends, sitting together, like it always used to be,” McCartney said, his voice thick with emotion.
️ “We Talked, We Laughed, We Remembered”
According to McCartney, the atmosphere during that final visit was anything but solemn. Though Harrison was visibly weak, his signature wit and philosophical calm remained as strong as ever.
“George was cracking jokes. He still had that dry humor, that cheeky grin. We talked about Liverpool, old gigs, the silly stuff we did on tour. For a moment, it felt like we were just kids again in the back of a van,” McCartney recalled.
The trio shared memories of their early days as The Beatles, their struggles with fame, and the creative highs and lows that defined their unprecedented success. Ringo Starr, who has also spoken briefly about the meeting in the past, has described it as “both heartbreaking and healing.”
“There were tears, but more than that, there was laughter,” McCartney said. “We all knew what was coming, but it didn’t feel like a goodbye. It felt like a circle closing — peacefully.”
A Private Farewell to a Quiet Soul
George Harrison passed away on November 29, 2001, at the age of 58, after a prolonged battle with cancer. While the world mourned the loss of the “Quiet Beatle,” the depth of his final connection with his bandmates had remained largely private until now.
McCartney said that Harrison’s calmness and spiritual strength in those final weeks left a lasting impression.
“He wasn’t afraid. That was the amazing part. George had come to terms with it. He had this serene energy. He was talking about the soul, about love, about letting go.”
This intimate moment has only deepened fans’ appreciation for Harrison’s profound spiritual legacy, shaped by his exploration of Eastern philosophy, Hinduism, and meditation — themes that became prominent in both his solo music and public persona.
Brotherhood Beyond the Music
Though The Beatles officially disbanded in 1970, the bond between the members endured long after. While tensions during the breakup era were well documented, McCartney emphasized that in their later years, the four Beatles reconnected with mutual respect and a profound sense of shared history.
“We’d had our ups and downs — of course we had — but there was always love. Always,” McCartney affirmed. “George was my little brother in a lot of ways. He grew up in front of my eyes, from a shy kid on the bus to this wise, beautiful man.”
The revelation of their final meeting is expected to be a central moment in George Harrison: In the Material World Revisited, a follow-up to Martin Scorsese’s 2011 film. This new documentary, produced with the blessing of Olivia and Dhani Harrison, will explore more personal moments from Harrison’s later years and his impact on modern spirituality and music.
A Legacy That Lives On
Since his passing, George Harrison’s influence has continued to grow. Younger generations have embraced his solo works like All Things Must Pass and My Sweet Lord, while tributes from artists like Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Eric Clapton have kept his memory alive.
McCartney, who frequently performs “Something” in his solo concerts, said he still feels George’s presence often.
“Every time I pick up a ukulele, I think of him. Every time I see a sunrise or hear birdsong, I think of George. He left a lot behind — more than music. He left peace.”
As Beatles fans around the world prepare for the upcoming documentary and reflect on Harrison’s legacy, McCartney’s heartfelt story offers a rare and intimate look at a friendship that endured fame, fortune, and time — and ended, not with fame’s fireworks, but with quiet laughter among lifelong friends.
George Harrison: In the Material World Revisited premieres in November 2025, marking 24 years since the world lost one of its most beloved musical spirits.
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