George Harrison dies of cancer

Former Beatle guitarist George Harrison died of cancer Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Los Angeles with his family at his side. He was 58 years old.

The Harrison family said, “He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends. He often said, `Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another.’ “

After news of Harrison’s death broke, fans left flowers near his home in London. Others gathered at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, which is dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.

Harrison was known as the “quiet Beatle.” He penned such Beatles tunes as “I Need You,” “Taxman,” “Within You, Without You,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “If I Needed Someone.”

He found other success with various musical projects, like The Traveling Wilburys, and also as a film producer.

Just months before his death, Harrison did guest work on other artists’ albums, such as ex-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.

Harrison’s last musical endeavor was adding his vocals to a song called “Horse to the Water,” by England’s Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Said former bandmate Ringo Starr in a statement: “George was a best friend of mine. 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.”

First copy-proof album to debut

A new soundtrack album will make mainstream CD history when it is released in a copy-proof format.

Universal plans to release “More Fast and Furious,” the second soundtrack with tunes from last summer’s “The Fast and the Furious,” on Dec. 18.

Supporters of the technology hope to have an increasing number of albums released in copy-proof formats. Others, however, claim the new discs may have reduced sound quality and won’t work in some CD players.

Universal is not the first to experiment with the technology. Independent label Music City Records released a copy-proof album by country musician Charley Pride earlier this year.

– News gathered by Bethany Kohoutek from billboard.com and mtv.com