GEORGE HARRISON - one of the greatest musicians of the 20th Century, whose years with The Beatles defined an era and changed the world - was hailed by a host of leading figures yesterday after he lost his battle with cancer.

As thousands of weeping fans left flowers at famous Beatles sites in Liverpool, London and New York, Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would be "very sadly missed", and the Queen was said to be "saddened" by the guitarist's death at the age of 58.

Harrison, whose musical gems included one of the world's greatest love songs, Something, died in Los Angeles on Thursday night, with wife Olivia and son Dhani by his side.

His friends fondly remembered the star yesterday.

Sir Paul McCartney said: "I'll always love him, he's my baby brother.

"I'll miss him and will always remember that without George it all wouldn't have been possible.

Ringo Starr said: "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."

And Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon, who was murdered in 1980, said: "His life was magical and we all felt we had shared a little bit of it by knowing him. Thank you George, it was grand knowing you."

Harrison had battled various forms of cancer for years. He believed it stemmed from his cigarette smoking and there were frequent rumours about his worsening condition. But his death, like his music, touched people across the world.

Books of condolence were opened, fans visited important locations in The Beatles story, and friends and contemporaries paid their respects.

Radio and TV stations filled the air with his songs as a mark of respect to Harrison, who was a global star by the age of 21.

Sir Paul said: "We know he's been ill for a while and we've just been praying for some kind of miracle.

"It wasn't to be, but I understand from his wife that he went peacefully, which is a great blessing and it was a very peaceful, golden moment."

Harrison, who began playing music with McCartney as a teenager, was "fearless" as he faced death, his family said.

In a moving statement, Olivia and Dhani said: "He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends."

His longtime friend Gavin De Becker, who announced the news of his death to the world, said: "He died with one thought in mind - love one another."

In Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, the Union flag was at half mast over the city's town hall.

Harrison had suffered lung and throat tumours and had recently undergone last-ditch treatment in the US.

His health had suffered a setback in 1999 when deranged intruder Michael Abram broke into his Oxfordshire home and stabbed him several times. He suffered a punctured lung.

Harrison, the youngest of the Beatles, was often overlooked as a songwriter in favour of Lennon and McCartney, but his abilities shone through towards the tail end of the 1960s.

After the band's demise, he was the first to score a number one in his own right with My Sweet Lord in 1971.

As well as his musical career he was noted for his charity work - raising cash for troubled Bangladesh - and for his film production, providing finance for such movies as Monty Python's Life Of Brian.

He also developed a fascination with India, its music and spirituality which pervaded the latter half of his life.

Sir George Martin, the producer and record company boss who persuaded EMI to add the band to his fledgling Parlophone label, said yesterday: "George was a true friend, intensely loyal, caring deeply for those he loved and he inspired much love in return.

"Now I believe, as he did, that he has entered a higher state. God give him peace."

Gerry Marsden, who emerged from the same Mersey music scene fronting Gerry And The Pacemakers, said: "A great musician has gone to heaven."

And fellow Liverpudlian entertainer Cilla Black, who knew The Beatles from their Cavern Club roots, said she was "deeply saddened and shocked".

Noel Gallagher, a lifelong fan of The Beatles whose number two hit Wonderwall was named after a Harrison album, said: "It's very, very sad. I hope he's found what he spent his life searching for.

Read more about George Harrison here.