George Harrison and Ringo Starr, two Beatles who last appeared together on stage four years ago, performed at two sold-out benefit concerts Sunday with rock music star whose public appearances have been nearly as rare as theirs
Bob Dylan sang at both afternoon and evening performances at Madison Square Garden to benefit refugees displaced by strife in East Pakistan. Dylan last appeared on stage two summer ago at Britain’s Isle of Wight rock festivel.
All performers on the show, billed as “George Harrison and Friends,” donated their services, Both 21.000 sear concerts were sold out and sponsors hoped to raise $250.000
Harrison received a standing ovation when he walked out on stage to announce his fits “friend” Ravl Shankar. a sitar player from India. But applause was greater 90 minutes later when Dylan walked out, with harmonica and guitar, and wearing tan pants and denim jacked.
In the afternoon Harrison announced Dylan. In the evening concert, his name was never said from the stage. One fan, who said he had previously heard the Beatles but never Dylan, kept muttering, “It’s too much. It’s just too much.”
Dylan sang his from three phases of his career. “Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” from the protest-folk phase, the more introspective Mr. Tambourine Man” from Dylan’s poetic period, and “”Just Like a Woman” from the simpler songs fo more recent times.
Harrison and pianist Leon Russell played with Dylan and Starr played tambourine on “Mr. Tambourine Man”.
