Concert for George

:For the released album, see Concert For George (album).

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The Concert For George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 29, 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton, with all profits from the event going to the Material World Charitable Foundation.

Related Topics:
Royal Albert Hall - London - November 29 - 2002 - George Harrison - Olivia - Eric Clapton - Material World Charitable Foundation

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The concert opened with Indian music when Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar, played "Your Eyes". Next, Anoushka Shankar and Jeff Lynne performed "The Inner Light", followed by a Ravi Shankar composition "Arpan" (pronounced Arpa, meaning 'to give'), specially written for the occasion.

Related Topics:
Anoushka Shankar - Ravi Shankar - Jeff Lynne - The Inner Light

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Then there was a comedy interlude with members of the Monty Python troupe (Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam) along with Neil Innes, Carol Cleveland and special guest Tom Hanks performing "Sit On My Face" and "The Lumberjack Song".

Related Topics:
Monty Python - Michael Palin - Eric Idle - Terry Jones - Terry Gilliam - Neil Innes - Carol Cleveland - Tom Hanks - The Lumberjack Song

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The remainder of the concert featured "George's Band" and included musicians Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Jools Holland, Sam Brown, Gary Brooker, Joe Brown, Ray Cooper, Harrison's son Dhani and several other musicians who appeared on Harrison's recordings over the years.

Related Topics:
Paul McCartney - Ringo Starr - Eric Clapton - Jeff Lynne - Tom Petty - Billy Preston - Jools Holland - Sam Brown - Gary Brooker - Joe Brown - Ray Cooper - Dhani

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Between them they played a selection of mostly Harrison's songs, from both Beatles and post-Beatles eras, generally staying faithful to Harrison's original arrangements. Highlights included Clapton and Preston on "Isn't It A Pity"; Starr on "Photograph"; McCartney on "Something" (opening with a solo ukulele accompaniment); and McCartney, Clapton and Starr reuniting for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Related Topics:
Beatles - Photograph - Something - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

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The event was video-recorded and was shown in theatres, then released on DVD and CD on 17 November 2003.

Related Topics:
CD - 17 November - 2003

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