50 years ago Beatlemania shocked the world drawing hostility and pity from the press and the public alike but the screamers were neither the first nor the last to be Starstruck. Talking about screamers a letter from the Beatles George Harrison's mother shows reaction to the fans screaming at the British band at one of their gigs is up for sale.

Screaming Beatles fans embarrassed George Harrison's mother

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh. The country had just&nbsp;come out fresh from the Liberation War, and was reeling under a refugee crisis, poverty and mass hunger among others.&nbsp;

As Bangladesh marks 50 years of independence after the 1971 war, we take a look at what can easily be called the first-of-its kind charity concert that paved the way for a model that is well-known today in the world of music.&nbsp;

In August 1971, former Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison, his good friend Pandit Ravi Shankar from India and other well-known musicians took to stage in New York for The Concert for Bangladesh.

That musical event is remembered even today as a path-breaker as it not only raised international awareness but organised a relief fund for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War. By the time the concert took place, it is estimated that millions of Bangladeshi refugees had fled the country and crossed over into India.

The magnanimous first-ever benefit concert featured performers like George Harrison, fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and the band Badfinger. It also featured Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan – both of whom had ancestral roots in Bangladesh. In fact, it was the Indian musician&nbsp;Ravi Shankar&nbsp;who had highlighted the issue of displacement, hunger and misery among the people of the newly independent nation to George Harrison, who then took it upon himself to use his platform and popularity to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Bangladesh.

Harrison performed a special song he wrote for the occasion, also titled ‘Bangla Desh’ which interestingly featured Ravi Shankar’s plea to him for assistance, as the lyrics go "My friend came to me with sadness in his eyes / Told me that he wanted help before his country dies".

Years later, former&nbsp;UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan&nbsp;recognised the basic human aspect behind the cause.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/readymade-in-bangladesh-a-future-proof-success-story-in-textiles-372290" hreflang="en">Readymade in Bangladesh: A future-proof success story in textiles</a>

The concert, with gigs that experimented with a fusion of Western music and Indian classical music, was attended by a total of 40,000 people, under the auspices of UNICEF. It managed to raise over $250,000.

The event is known as George Harrison’s first live appearance before a paying audience since the Beatles quit touring in August 1966.&nbsp;

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh.

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh. The country had just come out fresh from the Liberation War, and was reeling under a refugee crisis, poverty and mass hunger among others. As Bangladesh marks 50 years of independence after the 1971 war, we take a look at what can easily be called the first-of-its kind charity concert that paved the way for a model that is well-known today in the world of music. In August 1971, former Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison, his good friend Pandit Ravi Shankar from India and other well-known musicians took to stage in New York for The Concert for Bangladesh. That musical event is remembered even today as a path-breaker as it not only raised international awareness but organised a relief fund for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War. By the time the concert took place, it is estimated that millions of Bangladeshi refugees had fled the country and crossed over into India. The magnanimous first-ever benefit concert featured performers like George Harrison, fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and the band Badfinger. It also featured Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan – both of whom had ancestral roots in Bangladesh. In fact, it was the Indian musician Ravi Shankar who had highlighted the issue of displacement, hunger and misery among the people of the newly independent nation to George Harrison, who then took it upon himself to use his platform and popularity to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Bangladesh. Harrison performed a special song he wrote for the occasion, also titled ‘Bangla Desh’ which interestingly featured Ravi Shankar’s plea to him for assistance, as the lyrics go "My friend came to me with sadness in his eyes / Told me that he wanted help before his country dies". Years later, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recognised the basic human aspect behind the cause. Readymade in Bangladesh: A future-proof success story in textiles The concert, with gigs that experimented with a fusion of Western music and Indian classical music, was attended by a total of 40,000 people, under the auspices of UNICEF. It managed to raise over $250,000. The event is known as George Harrison’s first live appearance before a paying audience since the Beatles quit touring in August 1966.

George Harrison-Ravi Shankar Concert for Bangladesh: Where history was made in music

The 1971 concert for Bangladesh by Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison changed the course of history by raising awareness about the refugee crisis in the then East Pakistan.

The 1971 concert for Bangladesh by Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison changed the course of history by raising awareness about the refugee crisis in the then East Pakistan. It also impacted the West's view about India and influenced a 14-year boy in Germany. Now 65-years-old Walter J Lindner, Germany's envoy to India, still recalls its impact on him personally and also culturally in the West. Speaking to WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Walter J Lindner said it brought "Indian spirit right to the heart of Manhattan" and the concert had its influence "throughout my whole life." So inspired was the envoy, particularly in his youth, that he did many jobs to collect money and come to India. He explained, "You saw these Indian musicians, the mystics of the East coming into our living room" via the famous concert in Manhattan that was attended by 40,000 people. The concert, the first of its kind, became a model for future charity events in the West. According to estimates, it raised $12 million for Bangladesh. WION: How did the concert change or impact your life? Walter J Lindner: I have a very clear recollection because even 50 years later this is still in my head because it influenced me in many ways, through all the decades and many years. It is very difficult to explain but almost comparable to the Woodstock concert, which was a year before. I was 14 years old at that time and I saw it on television, it was in New York in Madison Square garden. For several reasons it was mind-blowing. For 14 years old, for not only me but for the whole generation, many, many of my generation were influenced. What was new about it? First of all, it brought together for the first time musicians from the East and the West. We were used to the rock generation, Led Zeppelin...so all these western rock music heroes which we had posters in our rooms. They were dressed in jeans [and had] beards, long hair. This group we knew very well. On the other hand, the Indian musicians were dressed in white cloths with instruments we didn't know--sitar, tabla, and soft-spoken like Ravi Shankar. This was the complete opposite, different kind of atmosphere, western and eastern musicians that played together. Secondly, it was the first time this kind of solidarity concert, a benefit concert was staged 50 years ago. After this came other concerts which just copied it, like for Africa. This was the first concert of this magnitude which brought together a lot of money, all together it was $12 million, and 40,000 people watched it. What was most important to me was to get this Indian approach. You saw these Indian musicians, the mystics of the East, coming into our living room. For me, and many people, it was a clue to say, I have to see what is happening in the East. I have to see, to go to the country where the Sun goes up, where people are meditating, where people like Ravi Shankar are praying. For me it was a kind of a pulling effect, it didn't stop pulling me until I went there. I worked as a taxi driver, did jobs, just enough [so that] I had money to go to India to see where this mystic came from. It lasted my whole life, and if you see the fact I am here as an ambassador has to do with it as well, because it nurtured my eagerness to travel and to see exotic countries and come back to the country where I started 40 years ago. WION: How has the concert impressed a whole generation in the West? Walter J Lindner: The Beatles in 1971 had just dissolved, so it was the first big concert where George Harrison participated. A lot of myths were connected to the concert. They not only had to stage the concert, the Beatles, when they were still the Beatles had come to India two years before and they went to Ashram in Rishikesh but they also went to Taj Mahal, they went to Dal Lake. So there was a connection between Indian and the Beatles music. #Throwback Exactly 1 year ago last pre-Covid concert “Under the Banyan Tree on a Fullmoon Night”, spectacular setting near Qutub Minar. Jammin’ with great urban funk-jazz musicians (Delhi’s Revisit Band), event organized by @TeamworkArts #utbt We’re getting back there soon... pic.twitter.com/lL4RrihDNx — Walter J. Lindner (@AmbLindnerIndia) February 14, 2021 × They took the sitar in their own composition and they went to Connaught Place to get the first sitar for George Harrison. So there was a connection between the Beatles and India. Since Ravi Shankar was from Varanasi, his parents were from Bengal. He told George Harrison of the tragedy, millions of millions of refugees, and so they decided together to make a solidarity concert. That time it may be different than today, because of a lot of these musicians had a lot of charisma and for us they were heroes. John Lennon wanted to come but he wanted to bring Yoko Ono. Yoko Ono was not really liked by other musicians, so they said you come alone. Lennon said he won't come. All these stories were around this. We were not prepared for people in white dresses and they came silently and they tuned for hours. They would tune in for hours, taking the time, bringing this Indian spirit right to the heart of Manhattan. This was something we were flabbergasted, what is this? We weren't prepared for this and it was a myth that opened our eyes for many of us and implanted in us the wish to come to India. WION: How do you see the initiative holding the concert yet again... Walter J Lindner: I don't know what organisers have planned, the idea is good to say to have another concert of the memory there. But this was such a huge concert, you just can't redo it because the spirit from then is not here and the charismatic musicians are not there. The time, lifestyle is different. So it would have to be something different, and not copying. Even if the son of George Harrison and daughter of Pandit Ravi Shankar would be there, these are good names, but I don't know who would be performing there. I would just recommend not to make a copy of or try to make a copy of the 1971 concert because the 1971 concert, just like the Woodstock concert, is really, really very unique. So 50 years later this concert will be different, different goal and angle. The idea is good, but it has to be worked out well not to raise expectations. It influenced me, I am 65 now, the concert influenced me through my whole life.

How 1971 'concert for Bangladesh' changed the life of current German envoy to India

Sir&nbsp;Paul McCartney reveals how he still talks to his late Beatles bandmate George Harrison.&nbsp; 
 
During a chat with NPR, the singer said he still talk to George Harrison through a tree— Geoge&nbsp;passed away in 2001 of lung cancer.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/beatles-legend-paul-mccartney-says-he-will-give-covid-vaccine-a-shot-in-the-arm-350829" hreflang="en">Beatles legend Paul McCartney says he will give COVID vaccine a shot in the arm</a> 
 
“George was very into horticulture, a really good gardener. So he gave me a tree as a present: It’s a big fir tree, and it’s by my gate,” McCartney said.&nbsp; 
As I was leaving my house this morning, I get out of the car, close the gate and look up at the tree and say, ‘Hi, George,'” the 78-year-old said. ''There he is, growing strongly … It’s lovely,'' he said adding that whenever he looks at the tree, ''I go, ‘That’s the tree George gave me.''

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/the-beatles-in-1958-rare-early-photo-of-the-band-found-by-paul-mccartneys-brother-348025" hreflang="en">The Beatles in 1958: Rare early photo of the band found by Paul McCartney's brother</a> 
 
''George has entered that tree for me. I hope he’s happy with that,'' he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;McCartney also spoke about John Lennon, ''I’m often thinking of him. I dream of him,” he said of Lennon. 
 
Meanwhile, the 78-year-old star recently released his latest album, McCartney III and is among the first global superstars to be inoculated.

Sir Paul McCartney reveals how he still talks to his late Beatles bandmate George Harrison. During a chat with NPR, the singer said he still talk to George Harrison through a tree— Geoge passed away in 2001 of lung cancer.

Sir Paul McCartney reveals how he still talks to his late Beatles bandmate George Harrison. During a chat with NPR, the singer said he still talk to George Harrison through a tree— Geoge passed away in 2001 of lung cancer. Beatles legend Paul McCartney says he will give COVID vaccine a shot in the arm “George was very into horticulture, a really good gardener. So he gave me a tree as a present: It’s a big fir tree, and it’s by my gate,” McCartney said. As I was leaving my house this morning, I get out of the car, close the gate and look up at the tree and say, ‘Hi, George,'” the 78-year-old said. ''There he is, growing strongly … It’s lovely,'' he said adding that whenever he looks at the tree, ''I go, ‘That’s the tree George gave me.'' The Beatles in 1958: Rare early photo of the band found by Paul McCartney's brother ''George has entered that tree for me. I hope he’s happy with that,'' he added. McCartney also spoke about John Lennon, ''I’m often thinking of him. I dream of him,” he said of Lennon. Meanwhile, the 78-year-old star recently released his latest album, McCartney III and is among the first global superstars to be inoculated.

Paul McCartney reveals how he is still in touch with late George Harrison

The Beatles’ guitarist late George Harrison’s Material World Foundation is actively partciipating in keeping the fans entertained during the time of coronavirus pandemic as everyone is self isolating and is in quarantine in their homes.&nbsp;

Along with the $500,000 donation to the charities MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Save The Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders); they have now kickstarted a social media challenge called “Inner Light”challenge.&nbsp;

For all those who are The Beatles’ fans will know that this is the name of their one of the most popular singles. The challenge is inspired by the Harrison-penned song, "The Inner Light," which marked the first composition by the guitarist to be issued as a Beatles single.

The single has an Indian connection too as it was heavily inspired by The Beatles' studies in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was originally released in 1968 as the B-side to the band's "Lady Madonna."

According to the challenge, fans are now being asked to share their favourite line from the lyrics with the hashtag #innerlight2020 on social media, with the Material World Foundation encouraging them to "sing it, play it, hum it, strum it, paint it, knit it, chant it, plant it, pray or meditate."

For each post, the Foundation will donate another dollar (up to $100,000) to the COVID-19 pandemic relief.

In an official statement, Harrison's widow, Olivia said, "These lyrics sung by George are a positive reminder to all of us who are isolating, in quarantine or respecting the request to shelter in place. Let's get and stay connected at this difficult time. There are things we can do to help and we invite you to share your Inner Light.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/elton-john-brings-together-billie-eilish-lady-gaga-camila-cabello-and-more-for-a-coronavirus-charity-concert-289486">Also read:&nbsp;Elton John brings together Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello and more for a coronavirus charity concert</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/veteran-japanese-comic-ken-shimura-dies-after-being-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-289418">Veteran Japanese comic Ken Shimura dies after being tested positive for coronavirus</a>

The Beatles’ guitarist late George Harrison’s Material World Foundation is actively partciipating in keeping the fans entertained during the time of coronavirus pandemic as everyone is self isolating and is in quarantine in their homes.

The Beatles’ guitarist late George Harrison’s Material World Foundation is actively partciipating in keeping the fans entertained during the time of coronavirus pandemic as everyone is self isolating and is in quarantine in their homes. Along with the $500,000 donation to the charities MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Save The Children and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders); they have now kickstarted a social media challenge called “Inner Light”challenge. For all those who are The Beatles’ fans will know that this is the name of their one of the most popular singles. The challenge is inspired by the Harrison-penned song, "The Inner Light," which marked the first composition by the guitarist to be issued as a Beatles single. The single has an Indian connection too as it was heavily inspired by The Beatles' studies in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was originally released in 1968 as the B-side to the band's "Lady Madonna." According to the challenge, fans are now being asked to share their favourite line from the lyrics with the hashtag #innerlight2020 on social media, with the Material World Foundation encouraging them to "sing it, play it, hum it, strum it, paint it, knit it, chant it, plant it, pray or meditate." For each post, the Foundation will donate another dollar (up to $100,000) to the COVID-19 pandemic relief. In an official statement, Harrison's widow, Olivia said, "These lyrics sung by George are a positive reminder to all of us who are isolating, in quarantine or respecting the request to shelter in place. Let's get and stay connected at this difficult time. There are things we can do to help and we invite you to share your Inner Light.” Also read: Elton John brings together Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello and more for a coronavirus charity concert Veteran Japanese comic Ken Shimura dies after being tested positive for coronavirus

The Beatles' George Harrison's 'Inner Light' viral challenge has an Indian connection

Beatles fans come together for 50th anniversary of Abbey Road photo

The family of Prince has told Donald Trump to stop playing the late icon's songs at rallies, following a phalanx of other angry artists who have told the US president to pull the plug.

"The Prince Estate has never given permission to President Trump or The White House to use Prince's songs and have requested that they cease all use immediately," tweeted the musician's half-brother Omarr Baker.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an AFP request to comment.

The president's team have reportedly added "Purple Rain," one of Prince's best-loved tracks, to the playlist of recent rallies in the run-up to November midterm elections, including in Mississippi last week.

The complaint adds Prince to a long line of musicians or their representatives who have objected to the billionaire Republican head of state blasting out their tunes at his public rallies.

The Rolling Stones, Adele, Neil Young, R.E.M., Aerosmith, Queen and George Harrison are among acts that have lodged objections to the use of their music at Republican gatherings.

The family of Italy's late Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most famous tenors of the 20th century, also criticized the use of his signature recording of blockbuster Puccini aria "Nessun Dorma," a fixture at Trump's 2016 rallies.

But during a question-and-answer session on Twitter two years ago Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger was quoted as saying there was nothing he could do under US law to stop Trump playing his music.

"If you're in a public place like Madison Square Garden or a theater, you can play any music you want, and you can't be stopped. So, if you write a song and someone plays it in a restaurant that you go to, you can't stop them. They can play what they want," the Daily Beast quoted him as saying.

While US law could allow an artist to ask for his music not to be played at political campaigns, none have yet followed through with any legal action.

Prince died aged 57 in April 2016 from an accidental overdose of powerful painkillers. He left no will and had no living children, with his siblings put in charge of keeping his estate afloat.

The family of Prince has told Donald Trump to stop playing the late icon's songs at rallies, following a phalanx of other angry artists who have told the US president to pull the plug.

The family of Prince has told Donald Trump to stop playing the late icon's songs at rallies, following a phalanx of other angry artists who have told the US president to pull the plug. "The Prince Estate has never given permission to President Trump or The White House to use Prince's songs and have requested that they cease all use immediately," tweeted the musician's half-brother Omarr Baker. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an AFP request to comment. The president's team have reportedly added "Purple Rain," one of Prince's best-loved tracks, to the playlist of recent rallies in the run-up to November midterm elections, including in Mississippi last week. The complaint adds Prince to a long line of musicians or their representatives who have objected to the billionaire Republican head of state blasting out their tunes at his public rallies. The Rolling Stones, Adele, Neil Young, R.E.M., Aerosmith, Queen and George Harrison are among acts that have lodged objections to the use of their music at Republican gatherings. The family of Italy's late Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most famous tenors of the 20th century, also criticized the use of his signature recording of blockbuster Puccini aria "Nessun Dorma," a fixture at Trump's 2016 rallies. But during a question-and-answer session on Twitter two years ago Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger was quoted as saying there was nothing he could do under US law to stop Trump playing his music. "If you're in a public place like Madison Square Garden or a theater, you can play any music you want, and you can't be stopped. So, if you write a song and someone plays it in a restaurant that you go to, you can't stop them. They can play what they want," the Daily Beast quoted him as saying. While US law could allow an artist to ask for his music not to be played at political campaigns, none have yet followed through with any legal action. Prince died aged 57 in April 2016 from an accidental overdose of powerful painkillers. He left no will and had no living children, with his siblings put in charge of keeping his estate afloat.

Family of Prince demands Trump stop playing his music

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