LIVERPOOL, UK (Reuters) - Thousands of
Beatles fans have been leaving flowers and cards at makeshift shrines to
George Harrison in cities around the world. A day after the news of Harrison's death, tributes continued to come in from those who knew him or were touched by his music.
The Queen said she was "saddened" and Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon, said: "His life was magical and we all felt we had shared a little bit of it by knowing him."
Radio stations across the United States cleared their schedules to play old Beatles hits as a tribute to the "quiet Beatle", who died at a friend's home in Los Angeles after losing his fight against lung cancer. Unconfirmed reports said the 58-year-old star has already been cremated at a private Hare Krishna ceremony.
It was thought his ashes would be taken to India, where he explored his spiritual side.
'Sense of laughter'
Among those who paid tribute to Harrison were the remaining Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Sir Paul, who was honoured at the first Top of the Pops Awards, did not attend after hearing of Harrison's death.
But he said in a statement: "I would like to dedicate this award with love to my brother George, without whom it all would not have been possible."
Ringo Starr said: "I loved him very much and I will miss him greatly. We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said Harrison would be "very sadly missed", while US President George W Bush was "very saddened".
Bob Dylan, who played with Harrison in the Travelling Wilburys in the 1980s, said: "George was a giant, a great, great soul. He was like the sun, the flowers and the moon and we will miss him enormously."
Sales of Harrison's albums have shot up, and two of his solo releases have gone into the top three of internet store Amazon's sales chart.
Punctured lung
Harrison had battled various forms of cancer for years and believed his cigarette smoking was to blame.
Rumours about his failing health had been spreading for years, and in 1999 he suffered a punctured lung when an intruder broke into his home and stabbed him several times.
Harrison announced in July he had received treatment in Switzerland for a tumour. He had surgery for lung cancer in May.
Despite the setbacks of his illness friends said Harrison remained in good spirits.
Indian musician Ravi Shankar, whose work Harrison helped bring to a wider audience, said: "We spent the day before with him, and even then he looked so peaceful, surrounded by love."
His friend Gavin De Becker, who announced the news of his death said: "He died with one thought in mind - love one another."
Harrison's wife, Olivia, and son, Dhani, said: "He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends."
Impromptu concert
Following his death books of condolence were opened, fans visited famous Beatles sites and the Union Flag flew at half mast over Liverpool town hall.
An impromptu concert was played by mourners at Strawberry Fields, New York's Central Park memorial to John Lennon.
The former Beatle, who was the group's youngest member, was just 27 when the band split in 1970.
They managed to conquer the world musically, achieving 27 number one records in the UK and the US during their career - and topping the charts again in 2000 with a compilation of all their number one hits.
Harrison's post-Beatles career started with the critically acclaimed All Things Must Pass.
He became a film producer in 1979, backing Monty Python's Life of Brian and, later, The Long Good Friday, Time Bandits and Mona Lisa.
Always known for his spirituality, Harrison summed up his personal mission succinctly in 1992: "The purpose of life is to find out 'Who am I?', 'Why am I here?' and 'Where am I going?'"
