When a person becomes famous, it can be easy to identify them solely by what their talents are. It is important to remember that all people contain multitudes, so to speak, and celebrity status does not guarantee a person is being seen in all ways. Take, for example, someone like George Harrison, who attained celebrity status as a member of the iconic band the Beatles. Though known for his mastery of music, the late Harrison also had many other sides to him. From being a celebrity minister to supporting a variety of charitable causes, George Harrison had a rich and fascinating history.
A Charitable Megastar
These days, it is easy to view a benefit concert featuring celebrities as a normal event. However, there was a time when such gatherings were rare. Contemporary historians credit Harrison with being one of the first musicians to organize an event aimed at providing charity to those in serious need. Harrison worked closely with Ravi Shankar to put together a concert that would provide aid to refugees from Bangladesh. The Concert for Bangladesh was held in 1971 and featured famous names like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and many others.
A Member of the Universal Life Church
Harrison was not just a man who liked to do for others in a grand and showy sense. Friends and family members often refer to Harrison’s kindness and how he never felt comfortable with the attention his superstar status brought. He was known to live for the simple pleasures, with an emphasis on the importance of love. It was this that led Harrison, as well as the other members of the Beatles, to become a registered minister of the Universal Life Church. The details of any weddings Harrison conducted are private, likely because the couples were not celebrities themselves.
An amusing fact about George Harrison as a minister was that he was often viewed by the public as the quietest of the Beatles. His closest associates, though, did not back this claim. His loved ones constantly refer to how talkative and lively he could be when in the company of those he loved. With an engaging stage presence and strong belief in love, one could only imagine how captivating Harrison would have been when officiating a wedding for those close to him.
A Deep Spiritual Side
Harrison may also have pursued a status as officiant because of his deep spiritual beliefs. After working with Ravi Shankar, the musician started to take a vested interest in Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. While many people know that these influences played into his music, they also became a part of his daily routine. As a minister and a dedicated fan of learning about other cultures, Harrison learned about customs related to Hindu weddings in order to grow as a person and correctly perform ceremonies for couples of this faith.
A Legacy
As mentioned, Harrison was not the only member of the Beatles to become an ordained minister. The entire group made the decision to become ordained, which is an unofficial part of the legacy that Harrison left behind. Amusingly, Harrison’s second wedding in 1977 to Olivia Arias in California was an entirely private affair. Despite being surrounded by ordained ministers and having conducted weddings for others in his years, Harrison stayed true to his style and kept celebrities away from his nuptials so he could stay out of the limelight during the arrangement.
Though he passed away in 2001, the love that he shared with his friends, bandmates, and the world as a whole will persist far into the future. If you feel inspired by Harrison’s journey, take a look at the application process for becoming a minister through the Universal Life Church and start a new journey.