George Harrison near death - hoax? (July 2001)

Subject: George Harrison near death
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 06:31 PM

News reports today have George Harrison acknowledging that he expects to die very soon from his cancer.

George blames his cancer on smoking.

Anyone who doesn't think that smoking is stupid is living proof that smoking is stupid.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Jande
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

Anyone who doesn't think that smoking is stupid is living proof that smoking is stupid.

Who said that? George or you?

That is really sad news... When I was a kid he was my favourite Beatle. :`(

~ Jande

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 07:43 PM

I was never a Beetles fan, but, I sure dont like to see all these people who are younger than me kicking the bucket.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Fiolar
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 09:15 AM

Likewise, I was never a Beatles fan, but if the news is true, it saddens me. "Every man's death diminishes me, for I am a part of Mankind."

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: sara_grl
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 01:48 PM

Found this on bbc online:

Former Beatle George Harrison has dismissed newspaper stories that he is close to death as untrue and insensitive.

In a statement released by the 58-year-old, who was treated for a brain tumour last month, and his wife, Olivia, the couple said they were "disappointed and disgusted" by the reports.

Several news outlets carried a story on Monday referring to the musician's "imminent demise".

The reports were based around remarks said to have been made by former Beatles' producer George Martin.

Mr Martin has denied giving an interview on the subject of Harrison's health to any newspaper, the couple's statement said.

Harrison underwent an operation to remove a cancerous lump from his neck in 1997 and earlier this month said he was fine after his treatment for a tumour at a Swiss clinic.

The statement said: "The reports were unsubstantiated, untrue, insensitive and uncalled for, especially as Mr Harrison is active and feeling very well in spite of the health challenges he has had this year."

It continued: "George Martin was quoted and has emphatically denied speaking to any newspaper."

Harrison, whose life was threatened when he was stabbed by an intruder in 1999, has battled cancer scares over the last four years.

He has blamed his health problems on smoking.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 02:54 PM

It's a banal thing to say, but I hope the reports are untrue. It strikes me as highly unlikely that George Martin would publicly speculate about the state of George Harrison's health. After all the pleasure the bloke has given me over the years, I wish him a good recovery and a long and happy life.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Gary T
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 03:38 PM

As I recall, this same (or very nearly same) rumor made the rounds two or three weeks ago, complete with a public denial by Harrison. It's pretty sad when news that you might think is still in memory gets overlooked in the lack of checking out a story.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Firecat
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 03:39 PM

I'm too young to remember the Beatles at the height of their fame, but I think that people should not lie about famous people. Sure, I like a gossip, but when it comes down to this ...

Sorry, I'm getting really angry!

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 04:00 PM

One person lied or misunderstood something and passed it on, and it continued to be passed on without anyone questioning or checking the truth of it until it got here.

I heard this "report" on CNN last night. You'd think those guys would have checked whether it was true or not.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 04:41 PM

I always have been and always will be a Beatles fan, and send love and best wishes to George Harrison.

Jock

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 04:53 PM

I share in everyone's hope that George will recover. But, it's not unusual for ill celebs to say that they're fine when they're not.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 04:58 PM

Freddy Mercury didn't tell anyone he was dying with AIDS until the day before he died.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 06:23 PM

Rumours get picked up and passed on without checking, and that's what's happened here. (Whether in any particular case they turn out to be true or not isn't the point.)

"News reports" - that can mean anything and nothing, without at least some indication of the source. And with the internet, after all, it's the easiest thing in the world to stick in a link to the actual story.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 06:55 PM

ol' George is still busy denying it, as of today......

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death - hoax?
From: Deni
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 05:14 AM

Get well George.

He's my favourite Beatle. (? because of his good looks, I had his poster on my wall. How shallow! but I was only a kid and when I see the same picture of him now, (I think it was from the White Album,) it brings back my childhood.) D

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death - hoax?
From: SharonA
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 09:49 AM

George: We love you, yeah, yeah, yeah...

(even though Ringo is still MY fave)

Remember when Paul was dead?

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death - hoax?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 10:26 AM

another current thread: "The only thing I didn't do ... was check the facts."

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death - hoax?
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 04:36 PM

I share everyone's hope that he is all right. It seems that George has paid a particularly high price for his fame, with his best friend murdered and an intruder attacking his wife and himself. He obviously loved the music, but never cared for the stardom. I wish the world would leave him alone. Perhaps the Beatles now regret their own death hoax regarding Paul some years back, which appeared to be a deliberate marketing ploy.

Subject: RE: George Harrison near death - hoax?
From: DancingMom
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 11:44 PM

I look at the world and I notice it's turning While my guitar gently weeps With every mistake we must surely be learning, Still my guitar gently weeps...

Give me hope, help me cope with this heavy load Trying to touch and reach You with Heart and Soul...