George Harrison, Bangladesh

Posted in George Harrison, Youtube Favs on June 3rd, 2011 by Willie

Part 80 of the countdown continues with George Harrison’s charity rock performance of “Bangladesh.”  This is the second video I’m posting from the “Concert for Bangladesh,” the first being the incredible rehearsal video of Bob Dylan and George Harrison playing “If Not For You.” This song starts off really sad and maudlin, but kicks into boogie rock overdrive when he hits the chorus.  I love the way he sings, “Bang-a-la-desh, Bang-a-la-desh!”  It’s very funky and driving.  We all know that the concert was the world’s first charity rock show, but I got some real fun facts that you might not have known, and that will leave you begging the universe for “what-if” mercy!  First off, George got John Lennon to agree to perform with him at the show, with one condition, that Yoko Ono not appear on stage with him.  John actually agreed, but two days before he was to leave for the show, John and Yoko got in a fight about the stipulation, and she made John decline at the last minute.  On top of that George almost got Paul McCartney of all people to play as well, but Paul had a less impulsive reason for not appearing, stating in Rolling Stone that, “George came up and asked if I wanted to play Bangla Desh and I thought, blimey, what’s the point? We’re just broken up and we’re joining up again? It just seemed a bit crazy.”  Blimey indeed!  You’re telling me that George was trying to reunite the Beatles, and almost got it done in 1971?  Imagine if he did!  This would be one of the greatest moments in rock and roll history, and would have raised Bangladesh billions of dollars.  At the time, the concert only raised $234,418.51.  Not peanuts, but not exactly a world changing amount.  Anyway, forget the Beatle reunion fantasies as they exist only for crazy people like me and you. It’s just not healthy. Anyway, without further ado, “Bangladesh!”

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George Harrison, Bob Dylan, If Not For You

Posted in Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Youtube Favs on April 16th, 2011 by Willie

The hits keep rolling, and for part 37 of my youtube countdown I present this incredible and rare video of George Harrison and Bob Dylan playing Bob’s “If Not For You.”  Holy shit, where to begin.  First of all, this was a rehearsal for George’s “Concert for Bangladesh” show, the first rock charity show ever.  George was Bob Dylan’s biggest fan, worshiping all his music, his whole life.  At this point in Dylan’s life, he was in exile in Woodstock not wanting to make any public appearances, but somehow George convinced to appear at his Madison Square Garden mega show to play a set.  Bob was nervous as fuck, having panic attacks and throwing up back stage before the actual show.  George wasn’t sure if Bob would have the nerve to do it, but he did, and it inspired Dylan to get out there on the road again.  This video speaks for itself.  Two icons of musical genius expression, playing one of Bob’s most gentle songs from his New Morning album, (George covered the song on his All Things Must Pass record just the year before.)  Just a fantastic moment in music history.  Enjoy.

 

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