George Harrison Week Planned for ‘Conan,’ Beck and Norah Jones to Perform
During the week of September 22nd, Conan will feature daily performances by artists including Beck, Norah Jones and Dhani Harrison to celebrate the music of George Harrison by singing one of his songs. “George Harrison Week” coincides with the release of the box set, The Apple Years: 1968-75 – also due out September 22nd – which compiles the Beatle‘s first six solo albums. More artists to perform on Conan have yet to be announced.
In other celebratory Harrison news, the Beatle’s legacy will also be celebrated the week after the Conan engagement at an event dubbed George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison. Scheduled to take place at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre on September 28th, the event will feature appearances by Conan performers Dhani Harrison and Norah Jones, as well as Brian Wilson, the Killers‘ Brandon Flowers, “Weird Al” Yankovic and members of the Flaming Lips, Weezer, Heart, Spoon, the Strokes, Velvet Revolver and more. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales to the event benefit Sweet Relief, a charity that aids career musicians struggling to make ends meet.
The Apple Years collects Harrison’s albums from 1968’s Wonderwall Music (the first solo record by a Beatle) through 1975’s Extra Texture (Read All About It). It also will include many extras, including films and previously unreleased recordings. One of the bonus tracks – a different version of Extra Texture’s “This Guitar (Can’t Keep From Crying),” which Harrison re-recorded with Eurythmics member Dave Stewart in 1992 – now features additional performances by Stewart, Dhani, vocalist Kara DioGuardi and Ringo Starr.