‘Concert For George’ in Theaters For George Harrison’s 80th Birthday
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Concert For George vinyl box set cover
The legendary 2002 tribute event, Concert For George, is coming to theaters again for another special weekend theatrical screening, pegged to George Harrison’s 80th birthday.
The theatrical performance of the original concert that took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, will be available on February 24-25, 2023, in selected theaters across the world. Click here for theater listings. Watch the official trailer and many performance clips below.
The concert is available as a 2-CD set, on DVD, Blu-ray and as a 4-LP box set. (Order links are below.)
On November 29, 2002, one year after Harrison’s passing, Olivia Harrison and longtime friend Eric Clapton organized a performance tribute in George’s honor. Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the momentous evening featured Harrison’s songs, and music he loved, performed by a lineup that included Clapton, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Monty Python, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Ringo Starr and many more.
The Deluxe Box Set (limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide) features the complete sound and film recordings from the concert (on four 180-gram audiophile LPs, two CDs, two DVDs and two Blu-rays), a 12″ x 12″ hard-bound 60-page book, plus an opportunity to own a piece of the historic event, by way of a cutting from the original hand-painted on-stage tapestry used as the backdrop at the Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2002.
Watch the performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” featuring Clapton, McCartney, Starr, Lynne and Dhani Harrison
The 4-LP Box Set includes the complete sound recordings from Concert For George, on 180-gram audiophile vinyl, featuring a special, mandala-design etched on side-8. This is the first time that all songs from the performance have been available on an audio configuration. The album will also be made newly available via streaming platforms, track listing mirroring that of the vinyl.
Watch Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers perform “I Need You” from Concert For George
In addition to the vinyl formats, the release is also presented as a 2-CD set, as well as 2-CD + 2-DVD, and 2-CD + 2-Blu-ray combo packages. The 2-CD set features sound recordings from the concert. The 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray sets also include the complete filmed concert on the first disc, with a second disc containing the original theatrical version featuring concert highlights, interviews with the performers, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage. Exclusive to the Blu-ray format, the second disc includes an interview segment featuring Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner and Ray Cooper, entitled “Drummers.”
(See complete track listings below.)
Watch the official trailer
Directed by David Leland (whose credits include the feature Wish You Were Here, HBO’s Band Of Brothers and the Traveling Wilburys video “Handle With Care”), Concert For George captures renditions of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (featuring Clapton on guitar, McCartney on piano and Starr on drums), “Taxman” (performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) and Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (performed by Lynne). Lynne produced the audio elements of the concert; Clapton oversaw the entire proceedings as Musical Director.
Watch the band rehearse
The evening’s repertoire also included recordings Harrison made with the Wilburys (“Handle With Care”), his solo work (“Isn’t it a Pity,” “Give Me Love [Give Me Peace on Earth]”) and more.
Watch the performance of “Isn’t It a Pity”
Concert For George has been certified 8-times platinum by the RIAA since its initial release as a 2-DVD set in November 2003 and earned a 2004 Grammy® Award for Best Long Form Music Video. The track listings are listed below the Amazon links.
CD Track Listing
Disc 1:
Sarve Shaam – Traditional Prayer
Your Eyes (Sitar Solo) – Anoushka Shankar
The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
Disc 2:
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) – Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton and Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
DVD and Blu-Ray Track Listing
Disc 1 (Complete Concert):
Your Eyes – Anoushka Shankar
The Inner Light – Jeff Lynne & Anoushka Shankar
Arpan – Conducted by Anoushka Shankar
Sit On My Face – Monty Python
The Lumberjack Song – Monty Python with Tom Hanks
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love – Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Horse To The Water – Jools Holland & Sam Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Disc 2 (Theatrical Version):
I Want To Tell You – Jeff Lynne
If I Needed Someone – Eric Clapton
Old Brown Shoe – Gary Brooker
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)- Jeff Lynne
Beware Of Darkness – Eric Clapton
Here Comes The Sun – Joe Brown
That’s The Way It Goes – Joe Brown
Taxman – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison
Isn’t It A Pity – Billy Preston
Photograph – Ringo Starr
Honey Don’t – Ringo Starr
For You Blue – Paul McCartney
Something – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
All Things Must Pass – Paul McCartney
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton
My Sweet Lord – Billy Preston
Wah Wah – Eric Clapton & Band
I’ll See You In My Dreams – Joe Brown
Plus interviews, rehearsals and behind the scenes footage, including:
Ravi’s orchestra rehearsals
Monty Python backstage
George’s band rehearsals
Interviews with musicians
Photo gallery
“Drummers” featurette (on the Blu-ray only, not included on the DVD)
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4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationIn love this gathering of friends to pay homage. There has been few who deserve it more. I never get tired of watching it.
Always an enjoyable watch
Nor do I
That was such a great tribute to GEORGE HARRISON I cried tears of Joy and Sadness thinking of his friends that passed since the concert I was really impressed by Joe Brown and Sam Brown I was not aware of them at the time In the end when they all hugged each was really beautiful I just broke down I love and miss you GEORGE HARRISON