As
lead guitarist for the Beatles, George Harrison provided
the band with a lyrical style of playing in which every
note mattered. Harrison was one of millions of young Britons
inspired to take up the guitar by British skiffle king
Lonnie Donegan's recording of "Rock Island Line."
But he had more dedication than most, and with the encouragement
of a slightly older school friend -- Paul McCartney --
he advanced quickly in his technique and command of the
instrument. Harrison developed his style and technique
slowly and painstakingly over the several years, learning
everything he could from the records of Carl Perkins,
Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, Buddy Holly, and Eddie Cochran.
By age 15, he was allowed to sit in with the Quarry Men,
the Liverpool group founded by John Lennon, of which McCartney
was a member; by 16 he was a full-fledged member of the
group.