Devotees Sing At George Harrison Memorial Concert

July 6, 2003

On Sunday 24th February, Hare Krishna devotees joined musicians, fans and Sir Paul McCartney in commemorating the life of George Harrison at a special concert at the Liverpool Empire.

The concert sold out within hours of its announcement, and was held on what would have been George's 59th birthday. Amongst various big names from the music business, the gig included many contemporaries, tribute bands and friends of George and the Beatles such as Pete Waterman, 'Hari Georgeson', members of Cockney Rebel, Thin Lizzy, the Bootleg Beatles and the Mighty Wah! The devotees were billed as 'members of the Hare Krishna Temple'.

Organised by the Cavern Club, Radio Merseyside, Radio City, the Liverpool Echo and City Council, the concert was put on with the blessings of George's widow Olivia and son Dhani, raising thousands of ponds for Macmillan Cancer Relief and other cancer charities. Devotees, who had been contacted early on in the concert's planning, gave out maha-prasadam and around 20 Bhagavad-Gitas to the musicians, including Sir Paul.

After 2 hours of rock and pop, the 2300-strong audience and Internet viewers were treated to a spot of classical tabla and sitar playing from Mohinder Singh and Shali Shankar, a disciple of Ravi Shankar. Everyone then came on stage for the grand finale My Sweet Lord. Half the stage was taken up with musicians, and half with devotees in tilak, dhotis and saris. The whole theatre resounded with the sweet maha-mantra as thousands joined in with George's greatest hit.

A surprise guest then walked on Sir Paul McCartney! After briefly talking about the early pre-Quarrymen day and expressing his great affection for George and thanks to all for the show, Sir Paul then launched into an emotional and unaccompanied rendition of 'Yesterday'. His last words to the audience were 'Hare Krishna'.

Arjunanatha dasa, originally from Liverpool, managed to say hello to Sir Paul before his performance. Sir Paul said he was really pleased to see the devotees there, and spoke of how he had recently returned to India with his 'new girlfriend' Heather. While travelling around South India, the couple, unrecognised, had tried to attend a temple festival, but had been told that no westerners were allowed inside. Undaunted, they had watched from the sidelines, until worshippers had eventually relented, lending Sir Paul a dhoti and inviting them in. After the puja, everyone had then come out singing Hare Krishna, including Sir Paul, delighted.

Arjuna mentioned how welcome Sir Paul would also be at his more local temples, Bhaktivedanta Manor and Soho St, and the singer said how he sometimes heard the devotees on harinam while on business in Soho Square and would stop meetings to hear the singing.

As the theatre emptied, Titiksu dasa, who founded the ISKCON Liverpool centre around 1992, lead a rousing kirtana with much 'audience' participation.

The occasion was fitting send-off for George, whose funeral ha been such a quick and private affair.

"May Krishna bestow upon this nice boy further advancement in Krishna consciousness."

"this good boy George Harrison, we must give him all glories. We must be thankful to him that he has given us the facility, and Krishna will bless him more and more." Srila Prabhupada, London, 7 July 1973

Sriman George Harrison Ki Jai!