George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943) was an Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, author and sitarist best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles. Following the band's demise, Harrison had a successful but modest career as a solo artist and later as part of the Traveling Wilburys super group. He was also a film producer, with his production company Handmade Films, involving people as diverse as Madonna and the members of Monty Python. From an initial exposure whilst a member of The Beatles, he maintained a high public profile regarding his religious and spiritual life.