My Sweet Lord Re-Release

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Friday, 7 December, 2001, 08:34 GMT

Harrison single gets re-release

 

 

My Sweet Lord was originally a worldwide hit in 1971

 

George Harrison's single My Sweet Lord is to be re-released as a

tribute following the musician's death last week.

The song was originally a hit in 1971, making him the first former

Beatle to have a solo number one.

 

His record company EMI have confirmed that the song will be

reissued, but a release date has yet to be set.

 

 

 

Harrison CDs have been selling fast since Friday

 

The former Beatle died last Thursday, aged 58, after a long battle

against lung cancer, prompting worldwide mourning and tributes.

 

It was still not clear when, or whether, his ashes would be

scattered in the River Ganges in India as Harrison's widow, Olivia,

and their 23-year-old son, Dhani, have not arrived in the holy city

of Varanasi as expected.

 

The song My Sweet Lord is one of Harrison's best-known solo tracks,

and his only UK number one.

 

It hit the top spot on both sides of the Atlantic in January 1971,

and appeared on Harrison's most successful solo album, All Things

Must Pass.

 

Sales of All Things Must Pass and Harrison's other releases have

shot up in the week following his death.

 

 

 

Fans in India have been writing messages on kites

 

Harrison lost a court battle over My Sweet Lord when he was

successfully sued for plagiarism by the publishers of The Chiffons'

1964 hit She's So Fine.

 

Its re-release will follow a tabloid newspaper's campaign to get the

song back in the charts as a tribute to the musician.

 

Hare Krishna devotees have also revealed that Harrison, a long-time

devotee of the sect, left £700,000 to build a temple in Varanasi.

 

Prasannatma Das of the Varanasi chapter of the International Society

for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) said Harrison had dreamed of

building a temple in the city that he loved for its mysticism and

cultural riches.

 

The musician had visited Varanasi a few months ago, staying for

several days to discuss the plan for the Radha Krishna Chandra

temple, said Mr Das.

 

 

 

Harrison is said to have pledged to build a temple in Varanasi

 

He said it will be built on a one-hectare plot in the next five

years, adding: "The model is ready. Work would start in May-June

once we get the money."

 

Harrison's family had been expected to arrive in the city on

Tuesday, but have still not been seen.

 

Fans - including British and American tourists - have been waiting

by the Ganges, some flying kites inscribed with messages.

 

Varshana Devi Dasi, ISKCON's spokeswoman in London, said: "They

cremated the body hours after his death.

 

"That shows that they want it to be a private affair."

 

Traditional

 

Even local ISKCON members in India were not aware when the ashes

would be arriving.

 

According to Hindu tradition, a cremation must take place within 24

hours of death, and other associated ceremonies should be completed

within 13 days.

 

Harrison, 58, who died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, was cremated

dressed in traditional Indian robes as two of his closest friends,

both Hare Krishna devotees, chanted at his side.