NEW DELHI (AP) — Ravi Shankar, the sitar virtuoso who became a hippie musical icon of the 1960s after hobnobbing with the Beatles and who introduced traditional Indian ragas to Western audiences over a 10-decade career, died Tuesday. He was 92.
A statement on the musician's website said he died in San Diego, near his Southern California home. The musician's foundation issued a statement saying that he had suffered upper respiratory and heart problems and had undergone heart-valve replacement surgery last week.
R.I.P. but all I think of when he came on stage at anything was, no not him. Instant channel or radio dial change. How drugged out were The Beatles etc when they liked his stuff and tried to force him on us.
I remember somewhere me and a friend were reading some short blibs on The Beatles when we were kids back in the 60s/early 70s and the blurb on George was, "George likes religion and Indian miusic' and we would chuckle and interpet it/say, "George likes drugs!"
Last edited by Behn Wilson: 12-12-2012 at 01:27 AM.
I never know what to say in celebrity death threads, especially when they're 92.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Behn Wilson
R.I.P. but all I think of when he came on stage at anything was, no not him. Instant channel or radio dial change. How drugged out were The Beatles etc when they liked his stuff and tried to force him on us.
I remember somewhere me and a friend were reading some short blibs on The Beatles when we were kids back in the 60s/early 70s and the blurb on George was, "George likes religion and Indian miusic' and we would chuckle and interpet it/say, "George likes drugs!"
Well I love it-- It's the only ultra-traditional foreign music that I don't find kind of tame and boring but instead appealling in a really refreshing, surprisingly modern way. It's not the easiest thing to get into though, I'll give you that.
Three Ragas is one of my favorite albums. I wasn't a fan of how he gave instructions before every song in "Sounds of India" though. Who wants to listen to an album like that?
And the indian-influenced Harrison stuff in the Beatles discography were some of the best. I love Within You Without You, Inner Light, Love You To, and how well it meshes with Lennon's drug-influenced psychadelic stuff-- it's one of my favorite things about the Beatles, moreso than I like McCartney's talent for melody.
Anybody have any other suggestions related to stuff like that?
Last edited by Shareefruck: 12-12-2012 at 02:16 AM.
His mind-boggling performance in Monterey Pop was my introduction to his music, and through him I learned to respect Indian music, although I would never claim to grasp it on anything more than a very rudimentary level. But even a beginner could tell what a peerless musician he was. He seemed like a very likable and kind man, as well. He certainly was one of the musical giants of my life time.
Though not a fan of his genre/ music I do remember him from all reports being a genuinely likeable guy. We cracked up at the album (not sure but might have been the concert for Bangladesh) where the crowd which couldnt even tell the difference between him tuning his instrument before his set and his actual set started cheering when he tuned his instrument.
He good naturedly replied if you like me tuning my instrument then you wil really like my songs. It was pretty funny.
Though not a fan of his genre/ music I do remember him from all reports being a genuinely likeable guy. We cracked up at the album (not sure but might have been the concert for Bangladesh) where the crowd which couldnt even tell the difference between him tuning his instrument before his set and his actual set started cheering when he tuned his instrument.
He good naturedly replied if you like me tuning my instrument then you wil really like my songs. It was pretty funny.
R.I.P. but all I think of when he came on stage at anything was, no not him. Instant channel or radio dial change. How drugged out were The Beatles etc when they liked his stuff and tried to force him on us.
I remember somewhere me and a friend were reading some short blibs on The Beatles when we were kids back in the 60s/early 70s and the blurb on George was, "George likes religion and Indian miusic' and we would chuckle and interpet it/say, "George likes drugs!"
Ravi's music is like listening to Classical or Jazz (or whatever you want to call Frank Zappa's work). You kind of have to learn how to listen (actively!) to the music before it to really rings (that's also why he .
Ravi Shankar was both a great musician and a great person. He will be missed by the great many his works touched. We'll see you in another life, Ravi.
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And the indian-influenced Harrison stuff in the Beatles discography were some of the best. I love Within You Without You, Inner Light, Love You To, and how well it meshes with Lennon's drug-influenced psychadelic stuff-- it's one of my favorite things about the Beatles, moreso than I like McCartney's talent for melody.
Anybody have any other suggestions related to stuff like that?
,
Are you looking for that world/psychadelic blend or specifically India inspired music a la the Beatles? If the former, maybe check out Jorge Ben's Africa/Brasil. I'ts more funk than psychedelic, but a damn fine record. Another artist to look into is Veiux Farka Toure. Dude is an absolutely amazing guitar player and puts on a ridiculously good live show. His third album, The Secret, is where I'd suggest you start. It's the easiest to get into. His other two albums are fantastic as well, but The Secret has a boatload of guest appearances from some awesome musicians (Derek Trucks, John Scofield) that does a lot to westernize the music, so you get more of a blend; where his early works are more traditional.
Neither of these are in English, btw, if that matters.
I had heard his name for a decade but only really researched who he was in the past week, so this is kind of a coincidence.
I'm a Beatles fanatic who is really late to the party as far as solo stuff goes (just bought 65 albums to catch up) and his name came up a lot in my Harrison research.
Despite being Indian, I've really only heard a few of his works, but he was supremely talented. Just a phenomenal musician who pushed the boundaries, and brought elements of both East and West together.
Man, I didn't know he was that old. He was still performing, wasn't he?
Fun fact for people not familiar with Shankar: Norah Jones is his b****** daughter.
Good thing his has another daughter in Anoushka Shankar. She is absolutely incredible as well. Not quite as flashy as her father in style, more playful, but very, very talented.
Anoushka Shankar and Jeff Lynn performing "The Inner Light" from the Concert for George. Harrison's son on keys/backup vocals too.
Here she is guesting on Rodrigo and Gabriella's "Ixtapa" form Area 52 (she comes in around 2:45)
