Mike Hardaker paid tribute to George Harrison on Caroline South, Sunday 9th December 2001 at 24.00 CET. "Being Fab" used rarities and archive material to take us from the pre-Parlophone days to the last ever Beatles session at Abbey Road - overdubs on George's own 'I Me Mine.' This excellent tribute was rebroadcast on the 1st anniversary of George's sad death in November 2002.

Hi Mark

As one of the Caroline team in the early 1970s I have particular reason to thank George, who made many contributions to the station at the time. His help kept the ship afloat in some of the darkest hours and also paid for quite a bit of kit when the ship was rescued from Holland in late 1972. That gave me my break into radio, which I might never have got elsewhere. But more than that, it gave Caroline a break and ensured that we got another 15 years or so of really free radio. An awful lot of listeners owe him a huge debt for that. 
Thank you George
Paul Rusling (Paul Alexander in the 70s), Yorkshire, UK

Tonights (Friday's) BBC LOOK EAST had (former Radio Caroline DJ) Andy Archer talking about George. He mentioned that George was a great believer in Caroline and they showed a picture of the Ross Revenge, funny I always thought John Lennon contributed funds..perhaps they both did. 
David Thorpe, UK  (Editors note: John Lennon is said to have donated funds to establish the offshore radio station The Voice Of Peace which broadcast off the Israeli coast to the Middle East in the 1970s.)

Hallo Mark,
Thanks for creating this possibility to express my sympathy to all relatives and friends of the great George Harrison.
I belong to the generation that grew up with the music of the Beatles and always admired also their views to political, religious and philosophical questions, especially George's Engagement for love, peace and understanding.
From this point of view it was a logical consequence that he supported Radio Caroline both in words and in Deeds. So I think not only I, but all Caroline listeners are very thankful for what he's done for Caroline and will always remember George and keep him in Honor.
Peter Och, Blankenstein, Germany

I heard the sad news at around 8.20 am this morning following a text message from a friend at the Shropshire Star newspaper shortly after they had received the sad news....
Moments after I spoke to Dave Foster on the phone and to say we were both completely gutted this morning is an understatement.....
What else can be said - such a sad and tragic loss to the world, but fortunately a great legacy of love and music left for us all to remember the music genius of George Harrison....
Peace and L.A.
Paul Corfield, Telford, Shropshire, UK

I'm very much interested in hearing your broadcast on this sad day marking the passing of George Harrison.
Thank you, Gregg di Chiara, Boston, USA

And not forgetting the two big financial injections George did within the Caroline organisation. Take it for sure, if he hadn't done it, the Ross Revenge would never had made it into international waters as a radioship. May God bless him.
Hans Knot, The Netherlands

I heard the sad news on my way to work this morning. Thank you for letting me know that George helped Caroline through some lean times.
Jim, Arizona, USA.

Really sad news ...
Marcel, The Netherlands

A great loss, and sad that his last year was not a wholly happy one.
Andy Linton, Waterford, Ireland.

Hi Guys,
It is a very sad sad day today with the announcement of the death of the great George Harrison, one of the greatest men who ever lived, a legend of British music and I hope Radio Caroline the legend of British Radio give this man a great tribute, I'm sure you will. Give us peace, give us peace on earth. God be with George.
A Caroline and Beatles fan, 
Bob Glen, USA.

Just read your tribute to George Harrison on AngloINFO, as a big Beatles fan, thankyou. I heard the news on Rob's (Riviera Radio) show this morning, once again the radio is often the first time you hear this sort of news. I remember hearing about John Lennon on the radio and being in shock for days, they played his music non-stop for about a week I seem to remember.
Cheryl, Nice, France.

I am speechless. What can you say? I reached for the White Album and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". It'll be a very sad but special weekend on Caroline.
LA, Ross.Glasgow, Scotland.

A really sad loss. I still remember being woken by my clock radio, to the news of John Lennon's death.
Ormond Carter, Scotland.

When Radio Seagull returned to the air in early 1973, the station celebrated by playing George Harrison songs all evening until about 5am next day, such was the importance of George's help. Quite apart from his importance of as a performer, we should all be grateful for the help he extended to Caroline. What a sad loss.  
Paul Welton, UK. (Editors note : Soon after Radio Caroline returned from the Mi - Amigo in September 1972, after a four-and-a-half year hiatus, it broadcast for several months as Radio Seagull, named after the influential novel Jonathan Livingstone Seagull).

(To) Mark Stafford,
I'd like to add my congrats for the wonderful, sincere tribute to George Harrison.
Where else gave George a fitting send off? R2 played two tracks per hour on Fri, but did not interrupt normal programming or offer a separate programme. BBC1TV showed a half hour on Fri night.
Not only did the Beatles music change the world, but the contribution to this country's culture and history has been overlooked this weekend. But not on Caroline. What a well researched and sensitive programme. You should be very, very proud.
Thank you Mark, thank you everyone involved with Caroline,
LA, Ross.

Hear! Hear!
I too agree. Mark Stafford's tribute was coherent and concise!
It also shows how lucky the Radio Caroline listeners are to have Mark
Stafford in the "Family"!
Well Done! Mark.
LA, Chris Martin.

I fully agree, It was a perfect tribute to a great performer. Mark, you did a great job!!!
Adrian Hondema, Netherlands

I too had a lump in my throat (especially when you played my Guitar Gently
Weeps) great show Mark well done.
From Derek, UK

What a marvellous tribute to George we've just heard from Mark Stafford.
Well done, Mark, excellent. Just another reason why Caroline should be available to far more ordinary people.
Andy Linton, Waterford, Ireland

Thank you all for the nice comments. It took a long time to research and put together, and it was difficult to do it live in the Caroline studio rather than to pre-produce it. But it appears to have worked quite well.
I have to admit that it's a thin line between being a presenter and being a fan of the man. So, I was also feeling emotional at times in the show. There's no question that, especially in that period from 1972 to say 1976, George's music had a special place in Caroline's history. Those memories were in my mind. If you were a listener then, as I was, you'll know how that presenters like Tony Allen and Andy Archer would always just refer to him as simply George!
After a couple of days when (listening to the radio) you would have been led to believe that George only cut three songs in his life, My Sweet Lord, Something and Here Comes The Sun! I felt that we had to give him a fitting tribute. I think one day people will realise that tracks like "Awaiting On You All", "Try Some, Buy Some" and "Isn't It a Pity" etc. represent some of the best output from any of the former Beatles.
Mark Stafford, Radio Caroline, UK

For me, George Harrison will always be a hero because he is one of the true "guitar heroes", a man who changed the way the instrument is played by others - and for the better. I started playing guitar - nearly 30 years ago now - because of George Harrison. I thank him for that.
Mike, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France

The Caroline South Trbiute to George Harrison was an insight. It complemented Mark Stafford's show. I have learnt so much about him and I am positive others have too. "Isn't it a pity" that we, generally, only find out a persons life when it is in the form of a tribute. I also wish that his "Spirit" of Peace and Love continues through all the people who knew him and through his music. This really is "Radio Caroline."   Seasons Greetings,   LA, Chris Martin, UK