Remembering George Harrison - Musician, Humanitarian

George Harrison, 1943-2001

Today, February 25, marks what would have been the 70th birthday of George Harrison, who died, way too young, from cancer in 2001 at the age of 58.

George Harrison is remembered as not just a musician and a Beatle, but also as a humanitarian.

Before there was Live Earth -
Before there was Farm Aid -
Before there was LiveAid -
There was the Concert for Bangladesh, a gathering of the greatest names in rock and roll in 1972 to raise awareness and funds to help the people of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), who at the time had suffered famines, poverty, natural disasters, and political turmoil.

The "Quiet Beatle" was also the coolest Beatle, and most definitely the coolest ex-Beatle.

My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes
He told me that he wanted help
Before his country dies

Although I couldn't feel the pain, I knew I had to try
Now I'm asking all of you
To help us save some lives

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Where so many people are dying fast
And it sure looks like a mess
I've never seen such distress
Now won't you lend your hand and try to understand
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Such a great disaster - I don't understand
But it sure looks like a mess
I've never known such distress
Now please don't turn away, I want to hear you say
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Now it may seem so far from where we all are
It's something we can't reject
It's something I can't neglect
Now won't you give some bread to get the starving fed
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Mmmm Mmmm
Now won't you lend your hand and understand
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh