AboutMelissa Davis Expertise I feel extremely comfortable with my ability to answer questions regarding The Beatles personally - backgrounds, family, education, and the genesis of the group from inception to the end. I do not feel that I have the expertise to answer extremely technical questions regarding equipment, other than to refer the questioner to other sources.
Experience Besides having been the right age at the right time to live through and enjoy The Beatles, I have continued my interest in them, in their music, and their influence on 20th century - in everything from the obvious, music, to fashion, humor, film, politics, and the music industry. As a dedicated Anglophile, I have studied at the University of London as an undergraduate and traveled in the UK extensively - yes, walked across Abbey Road, visited Savile Row - all of it. Beyond that, I am a teacher and a writer with excellent writing, editing, and research skills.
Publications The Copy Workshop advertising series
Colorado Law Journal
Various magazines
Education/Credentials B.A. History & Political Science, M.A. English History, J.D.
Awards and Honors Teacher of the Year, Archdiocese of Dallas (2000)
Expert: Melissa Davis Date: 6/19/2008 Subject: Bangladesh
Question Could you tell me more about The Concert Of Bangladesh?
I don't know much about it.
Also, what was the movie where George plays an interviewer? Was it The Rutles? Is it on DVD?
Answer Hi,
Yes, George played the interviewer in the Rutles' All You Need Is Cash. He was shown interviewing one of the Rutles outside their office, asking if the rumours were true - that their staff was stealing from them. As the interview progressed with denials about that - people were seen leaving the building taking everything from office equipment to plants. Very funny. I don't know if it is on DVD; I would assume so. You might check Amazon.
As for the Bangladesh concert, George became increasingly concerned about the widespread famine in that area as the country gained its independence from India/British rule in 1970. Flooding and lack of preparedness created a confluence of disaster of huge human proportions.
A friend alerted him to the situation and initially, he thought he could make a donation and ask the other Beatles to do the same. Then it occurred to him that it seemed like a small, one time response rather than something that had a better chance of truly helping.
He came up with the idea of giving a benefit performance to raise funds and awareness and enlisted the help of his many friends. John Lennon had agreed to perform; then backed out at the last minute due to either business conflicts or to a disagreement as to whether Yoko could also perform on stage. Ringo performed, as did many others - Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, etc. It was released as an LP and shown as a movie with all proceeds being earmarked for direct benefit of the people of Bangladesh.
The concert is available on DVD and CD.
It was hugely successful, but much of the funding was held up in legal and financial messes that dealt with everything from movie rights to treaties - all of it completely out of George's control. He later said it proved the total scope of his naivette in dealing with people who only wanted to make money for themselves and their companies.
One of the unexpected benefits from the project was that it demonstrated the tremendous fundraising ability of rock stars for charitable causes, thus raising awareness, in the process. LIVE AID, FARM AID and all the rest are a direct result of George's first effort in the early 1970s.
I'm sure you can find out much more, but this is a good start on the topic. I hope it helps.
Thanks for writing; let me know if you have any follow-up questions.
