Video: 'Paul McCartney's reaction to George Harrisons Death.'

(Friday, November 30, 2001) — The two surviving Beatles mourned George Harrison today as “a best friend” and a “baby brother,” and flags were lowered in Liverpool where the band was born.

Harrison, 58, passed away Nov. 29, 2001, in Los Angeles after a long battle with lung cancer. Harrison’s death was not publicly announced until the following day, Nov. 30, 2001.

“He was a lovely guy and a very brave man and had a wonderful sense of humor,” Paul McCartney told reporters outside his London home. “He is really just my baby brother.”

Ringo Starr said he would miss the band’s lead guitarist “for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter.”

Video: 'Ringo Cries for George Harrison'

“George was a best friend of mine. I loved him very much and I will miss him greatly,” he said in a statement.

Sir George Martin, producer of The Beatles’ recordings, said Harrison struggled as a songwriter.

“He was the baby of The Beatles, and unlike Paul and John, he had a hard time developing his songwriting talent and making his music alone,” Martin said.

Harrison was 13 when he befriended McCartney at their school in Liverpool, England, in 1956. McCartney introduced Harrison to John Lennon, and their friendship was the nucleus of the band that was finally completed with the addition of drummer Starr.

Video: 'The last time Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr saw George Harrison'

At Liverpool’s town hall, the flag was lowered to half-staff this morning in tribute. Harrison, 58, died Thursday in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer.

Gerry Scott, Liverpool’s mayor, said Harrison was “a warm, peace-loving man who was more than just a talented musician.”

Alan Williams, The Beatles’ first manager, said Harrison was an essential part of the band’s chemistry.

“I would say he was the major cog in The Beatles at that time. He kept them together probably because of the calming effect he had,” Williams said.

Harrison commented wryly on The Beatles’ acrimonious breakup in his song, “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” from his post-Beatles solo album, Living in the Material World.

Video: 'George Harrison: All Things Pass (FULL MOVIE)'

But old grudges faded with time, and McCartney and Starr joined in recording “All Those Years Ago,” Harrison’s 1981 tribute to the slain Lennon.

“He was a great guy, full of love for humanity but he didn’t suffer fools gladly. He’s a great man. He’ll be sorely missed by everyone,” said McCartney, 59, who at times appeared emotional as he talked with journalists.

“I remember all the beautiful times we had together and I’d like to remember him like that because I know he would like to be remembered like that,” McCartney said.

He said he had seen Harrison a few weeks before his death.

Video: 'BBC News on the death of George Harrison from 30th November 2001'

“When I saw him last time, he was obviously very unwell but he was cracking jokes like he always was and he’ll be sorely missed,” he said.

Some fans and neighbors brought bouquets to the gates of Friar Park, Harrison’s Victorian mansion at Henley-on-Thames, west of London.

Kym Freedman, 17, came with her 16-year-old friend, Natalie West, to leave a bouquet of yellow roses. The card said, “My guitar will gently weep forever. We love you, man.”

“He was a big idol of mine,” Freedman said. “It’s because of his songs. ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is the best song I ever heard.”