Godspeed Ravi Shankar!

[LeftyStrat]

You taught me to be musician.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogsyjMUNKUk

R.I.P.

[Firestorm]

Wow. I sort of thought he was immortal. 92 years old, beloved and playing til the end.

[crbowman]

The Master is dead.
Long live the Master!

[tele caster]

I didn't know until today that Nora Jones was his daughter.
rip.

[LeftyStrat]

Many years ago, my friend and I drove a hundred miles or so to see him play in a small church that had been converted to a music venue in Charlotte, NC.

I will admit, there were some very good chemicals involved.

The show was so good, that from time to time my eyes would close and I would go into a meditative state. I'd finally realize, "Dude, Ravi Shankar is fifteen feet in front of you, open your eyes and watch him!"

He played that show with every bit of intensity that he did at Monterey. He became his instrument. Alla Rakha on tabla and the woman on tambura were beaming with joy.

The crazy part was the audience was composed of Indians all dressed up in traditional clothes, a bunch of hippies in tie dye, and quite a few punks in leather. Crazy crowd assembled and feeling awkward before the show. But everyone was smiling at each other after the show, like we had suddenly become family by witnessing that performance.

[crbowman]

Saw him here in Austin at Bass Concert Hall about 10 years ago.
It sounds cliche, but it was a truly transcendental experience.
Really nothing like it. I will miss him greatly.

[VacuumVoodoo]

1969. after the concert went home and for the next couple months tried to figure out a circuit that would make electric guitar sound like a sitar. It ended up as an electromechanical contraption involving two earpieces from old telephones. Made weird twangy mechanical noises with a 12-string... yes, Ravi did mess with my mind. And for this I'm for ever thankful.