Look To The Stars News: George Harrison

UNICEF Honors Sting And Trudie Styler With Children's Champion Award

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:30:00 +0000

On Thursday, October 20 the U.S. Fund for UNICEF presented Sting and UNICEF UK Ambassador Trudie Styler with its annual Children’s Champion Award.

This year’s award recipients were honored for their commitment to improving children’s lives and the environment. The evening’s celebration was a fundraising event co-chaired by Alli and Bill Achtmeyer, Barrie and Kevin Landry, and Elaine and Bobby Sager that brought in a record $1.15 million for UNICEF’s global child survival programs.

Sting and Styler, a UK UNICEF Ambassador since 2004, strive to make a difference for children around the world and protect the environment through numerous public efforts. From raising funds and awareness for the UNICEF End Child Exploitation and United Against AIDS campaigns to visiting tsunami-affected Sri Lanka in solidarity with those affected by the devastating disaster, Styler has been a leading voice on behalf of some of the poorest and most vulnerable children on earth. In November 2005, she received the highest accolade bestowed on a UNICEF Ambassador—the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award—for her commitment to the world’s children.

Alicia Keys To Honor George Harrison At Celebrity Charity Concert

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Alicia Keys will host her annual Black Ball for charity in New York next month, in honor of former Beatle George Harrison.

Keys’ charity, Keep A Child Alive, will benefit from the concert, which will feature appearances by Usher, Norah Jones, will.i.am and Mary J. Blige, as well as Gary Clark Jr., Jay Sean, Midival Punditz with Karsh Kale and Alicia Keys herself.

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of George Harrison’s Concert For Bangladesh, the first time artists came together for a concert to benefit single cause. Today, the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF is a joint undertaking between the Harrison family and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support UNICEF programs that provide lifesaving assistance to children, including health, education, nutrition and emergency relief. In the tradition established by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF continues to support UNICEF programs in Bangladesh while expanding its influence to include other countries where children are in need.

Forty Years Ago Today - George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Forty years ago today, George Harrison took to the stage with a host of his celebrity friends for what is regarded as the first large scale multi-artist benefit concert – The Concert For Bangladesh. Look To The Stars Feature Editor Tim Saunders looks back at the climatic and political events that led up to the concert, and the on-going effects the show has had on celebrity charity events.

In early November, 1970, the Beatles were just about to break up and something wasn’t right in the South China Sea.

As Paul McCartney prepared his legal suit for the dissolution of the Fab Four after months of tempestuous fighting within the band, merchant shipping reported a storm was brewing to the south east of India. Moist, hot air was rising off the warm sea, sucking up water vapor as it went. When it reached a few hundred meters in height, it began to cool, condensing and becoming saturated. The low pressure system that was forming started to react with the high pressure system around it, swirling round like some celestial being was mixing a cake.

UNICEF Celebrates George Harrison's Charity Concert For Bangladesh

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

On the 40th anniversary of George Harrison’s groundbreaking Concert for Bangladesh, the first major celebrity charity concert for a humanitarian cause, the music community is coming together yet again for UNICEF, this time to help provide emergency relief for children in famine and drought-affected regions in the Horn of Africa.

UNICEF is calling the situation in the Horn of Africa the “worst humanitarian emergency in the world,” with Somalia being the epicenter of the crisis.

To pay tribute to the Concert for Bangladesh and its organizers George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, this August has been designated as the “Month of Giving.” During the Month of Giving all donations to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will benefit UNICEF’s life-saving programs for children in the Horn of Africa. To jump start this fundraising initiative, the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF, which was founded by Olivia Harrison, wife of the late George Harrison, is immediately releasing $1 million to UNICEF for emergency efforts there.

George Harrison's Sister Wants Fab Fan Memories For Charity

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The popular Nashville Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles is joining forces with George Harrison’s sister for “Fab Fan Memories”, an audio book featuring songs, stories, recollections and fond thoughts about The Beatles from celebrities and everyday fans.

“Fab Fan Memories” will retail for $12, with proceeds supporting Louise Harrison’s newly formed organization, Keeping Music Alive. Harrison’s fundraising arm helps high school and college performing arts organizations raise money for their music departments.

The CD, which will be released on Sept. 1, will be narrated by Louise Harrison and include heartfelt and/or amusing introspections by well-known artists such as Phil Keaggy, Janis Ian, Wesley Orbison, Rod Davis (an original member of The Quarrymen) and Ken Mansfield. The project also will feature stories from hardcore Beatles fans and original songs performed by The WannaBeatles.

EMI Artists Band Together For Japan

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Artists and songwriters from one of the biggest music companies in the world, EMI, have united for an incredible worldwide celebrity charity auction of personal items and memorabilia to raise funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The charity auction, which will be managed by eBay, features items from some of the world’s biggest stars, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Garth Brooks, George Harrison, Darius Rucker, John Lennon, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Jane Birkin, the Beach Boys, David Guetta, Michael Franti, Lady Antebellum, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Celtic Woman, 30 Seconds To Mars, Rosanne Cash, Daft Punk, Herbert Grönemeyer, Angela Gheorghiu, Keith Urban, Good Charlotte and The Beatles.

Yusuf Islam Uses Fan Voices For Peace

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Yusuf Islam has released a new peace anthem using the voices of hundreds of fans from across the world.

Yusuf – formerly known as Cat Stevens – invited people to send samples of them singing parts of his new song, My People, and the results have been put together for the final product.

Talking to Spinner.com, Yusuf says that the song was inspired by an Egyptian peace protest: “Most of the things in my career have happened spontaneously, and this is just another one of those things. I had no big plans, but as we were all watching what as going on in Egypt there was this fantastic feeling of support and so we wanted to stretch out a hand to these people who were peacefully asking for change. I was on the guitar and then suddenly this song came out and ‘My People’ had arrived. The mood was simply one of intense admiration for the people who were standing up peacefully.”

George Harrison's Widow Continues Husband's Charity Legacy In Bangladesh

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Olivia Harrison, founder of the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF and wife of the late musician George Harrison, visited Bangladesh last month with a delegation that included U.S. Fund for UNICEF President & CEO, Caryl M. Stern and Jonathan Clyde of Apple Corps.

UNICEF/2011/B. A. Sujan

George Harrison's Widow Visits Bangladesh For UNICEF

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

US Fund for UNICEF president and CEO Caryl Stern was in Bangladesh recently with Olivia Harrison, widow of former Beatle George Harrison.

“We are nearing the end of our second day in Bangladesh and I want to share some of what I am seeing, feeling, experiencing,” she wrote in a letter. "George Harrison is beloved here, and traveling with Olivia Harrison is like traveling with a rock star. Our day started at the UNICEF Office. The staff members who are old enough to remember George’s Concert for Bangladesh expressed their gratitude to Olivia – we all cried.

“As for the children to young to remember George, we take joy in seeing how his legacy continues to affect their young lives. For instance, at a UNICEF-supported center for street children. Kids from age 8 to teenagers come to the center because they are in Dhaka without a home or a safe place to sleep. They learn crafts here as well as music and dance, and they participate as peer educators and activists for children like themselves.

Johnny Depp And Friends Stand Up For West Memphis Three

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Johnny Depp, Ben Harper, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines and punk legend Patti Smith were in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the weekend to take part in a rally that called on authorities to free the West Memphis Three.

The West Memphis Three are Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley Jr., three men charged with the murder of three 8-year-old boys in 1993. New evidence suggests the three men are innocent, and the stars are demanding a retrial.

“Three innocent people are losing years of their life on a wrongful conviction on a crime they didn’t commit,” said Maines. “It makes me scared. It could happen to any of us.”

Beatlemania Returns For Charity

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Beatlemania has hit the headlines once again this week, with the release of the Fab Four’s remastered CD collection, their Rock Band video game, and a popular British presenter’s efforts to re-record their hits for charity.

A whole new generation of fans are currently being exposed to the music of John, Paul, George and Ringo through the release of Rock Star, and a number of limited edition Xbox 360 consoles are available to benefit Doctors Without Borders. The consoles are available at eBay.

Doctors Without Borders is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971 working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, personally selected the charity as the beneficiary of these proceeds.

Beatles Launch Game With Charity Download

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were in California earlier this week to launch the new Xbox The Beatles:Rock Band game. During the event, the musicians announced that one of the songs from the game, All You Need Is Love, will be released exclusively as a download through Xbox Live, with proceeds to benefit Doctors Without Borders.

McCartney and Starr joined Yoko Ono – widow of John Lennon – and Olivia Harrison, widow of George Harrison, in unveiling the game at Microsoft’s 2009 E3 Media and Business Summit.

All You Need Is Love will be released exclusively as a downloadable song on September 9, with all proceeds benefiting Doctors Without Borders. Also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, this international humanitarian aid organisation provides emergency medical aid in more than 80 countries. Established in 1971, Doctors Without Borders provides aid “to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need and reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.” The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

George Harrison Honored With Charity Mini

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Former Beatle George Harrison is being honored by a new car that is to be sold to benefit charity.

The new one-of-a-kind Mini Cooper S will sport a psychedelic paint job based on the design of a car owned by the late singer and guitarist. Gifted to Harrison in 1966, the car featured in The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. Now, for Mini’s 50th birthday, the automaker is commissioning a one-of-a-kind modern version of George’s psychedelic Cooper S.

The car will be auctioned later this year to benefit Harrison’s Material World Foundation, a charity the musician established to support a wide range of charities, such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and many more.

Beatles Day 2009 To Benefit Charity Appeals

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Fans of the Fab Four around the world will have the chance to celebrate their favorite band during Beatles Day 09 and raise money for the Imagine Appeal for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and the Marina Dalglish Appeal for a radiotherapy centre in Liverpool.

Officially launched by Julia Baird – John Lennon’s sister – and Ricky Tomlinson, the event will take place on July 10 in places as diverse as China, Russia, New Zealand and of course Liverpool.

This year will mark the second time the event will be held, with last year’s homage to John, Paul, George and Ringo – which gained support from Pink, Russell Brand and the Sugababes – raising over £45,000. Liverpool will once again host a concert as part of the event, and there will be loads of merchandise and happenings available.

Remaining Beatles Reunite At Benefit Concert

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reunited for a special benefit concert in New York on Saturday, April 4.

The pair came together on stage to perform With A Little Help From My Friends, playing together for the first time since George Harrison’s tribute show in 2002. They played three songs together in total on Saturday, Including I Saw Her Standing There.

“At this point we would like to introduce somebody to you who you know, you’ve heard his name,” Sir Paul said as he introduced his former bandmate. “He’s going to come out here and play you a little song this joyful night. Ladies and gentlemen: Billy Shears!!”

Surviving Beatles Reunite For Charity Concert

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

As reported by Look To The Stars back in January, Paul McCartney is to headline a charity concert to benefit filmmaker David Lynch’s meditation charity. We can now announce the music icon will be joined by his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.

After initially not confirming that the two stars would share the stage together, a UK spokesperson has now announced that the pair will definitely perform at least one song together – making it a reunion of the surviving members of The Beatles. They last performed together in public at a tribute show for George Harrison in 2002.

Proceeds from the show will go to the David Lynch Foundation, set up by the filmmaker to provide funds for in-school “Quiet Time” programs utilizing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The filmmaker attributes much of his creativity to the practice.

Yusuf Islam Records George Harrison Song For Gaza

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Singer Yusuf Islam – formerly known as Cat Stevens – has released a charity song originally recorded by one of the Beatles, with all proceeds going to a United Nations agency helping refugees in Gaza.

The Day The World Gets Round is a song written by the late George Harrison, and has be re-recorded by Yusuf and Klaus Voorman, a German artist/musician who befriended the Beatles during their early days in Hamburg.

Yusuf said he hoped the music will “help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind’s futile wars and prejudices, and start to change our foolish ways.”

Eric Clapton - Standing At The Crossroads Of Addiction

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:16 +0000

Although regarded by many as one of the best rock and blues guitarists to ever live, Eric Clapton is a man who has suffered for his art. But the succession of addictions and the tragic personal dramas have not stopped the legend from becoming one of the most successful performers in the world today, and have fueled his desire to help those who face the same problems in their daily struggle to survive.

Clapton was born in 1945, in Surrey, England. He was raised by his grandmother and grew up believing his mother was actually his older sister – she was only 16 when he was born. He eventually found out the truth when he was 9 years old, and he took it hard. He became shy and lonely, and took solace in the only thing he could find stability in – blues music.

A proficiency with the guitar led the young teenager to join a band called The Yardbirds in 1963, and the group started to attract a large cult following when they took over the Rolling Stones’ residency at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. Clapton played on The Yardbirds first hit record, “For Your Love”, before leaving the band in 1965 due to their pop-orientated musical direction.