Dhani Harrison is a distinctive figure in the world of rock pop, whose name is instantly identifiable, not just for his personal gravitas in the industry, but also for his lineage. Yes, Harrison is the son of late Beatles guitarist George Harrison. However, he is not merely riding the coattails of his father’s illustrious career, but rather, he has established a unique musical universe of his own, having successfully paved his own path in the vast galaxy of music.
Born on August 1, 1978, in Windsor, England, Dhani was immersed in music and the arts from the start. His father, George Harrison, was one of the central figures of the Beatles, one of the most renowned and influential bands in pop music history. While he was heavily influenced by his father’s work, Dhani was also drawn towards the world of Formula One racing and aerodynamics, thanks to his maternal family's involvement in the field. He studied industrial design and physics at Brown University, before realizing his true calling was not in science, but music.
Upon graduating, Dhani formed thenewno2 alongside friend Oli Hecks in 2002. The band's music incorporated a mix of alternative rock and pop, underpinned by electronic elements, making them a pioneer in what later came to be known as the indie-electronica genre. He not only played the guitar and sung for the band, but was also the driving force behind their creative direction.
As a producer, Dhani worked on posthumous releases of his father George's material, most notably the 2004 re-release of the acclaimed album "All Things Must Pass". He also contributed significantly to the completion of his father's final album “Brainwashed”, released in 2002, after George died from lung cancer in 2001. Dhani's work earned him a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 2004.
In 2017, after several EPs and LPs with thenewno2 and collaborations with other rock and pop artistes, Dhani released his first solo album, “IN///PARALLEL”. This album presented an immersive aural tapestry, orchestrated with synthesizers, guitars, and Dhani’s mystical voice that strongly echoed his father’s.
In addition to his work in music, Dhani stepped into film scoring, working on soundtracks for movies like "Beautiful Creatures" and "Learning to Drive". He also contributed to the musical score for the TV series "Good Girls Revolt".
Despite his impressive resume, Dhani remains humble and is noted for his kindness and down-to-earth personality. Just like his father, he has used his platform to support charities and environmental causes close to his heart, including The Material World Charitable Foundation, founded by his father in 1973.
While Dhani inherited his father's musical talent, he has definitely come into his own as a musician, a songwriter, a producer, and a composer. In carving out his own unique niche in a world that forever links him to the legendary Beatles, Dhani Harrison represents a continuation, as much as a diversion, of his father's legacy - a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of rock pop.