Paul McCartney to headline meditation benefit concert

Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are to appear at a charity concert in New York City next month, in aid of the David Lynch Foundation.

Sir Paul will headline the concert at the Radio City Music Hall on 4 April, while Starr has been named among a string of special guests. The foundation was set up by the film director to promote transcendental meditation in schools.

The show aims to raise enough money to teach one million at-risk children to meditate. Other performers will include Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper and Moby.

The following is a press release issued by Paul McCartney’s press office.

Paul McCartney and special guests Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Moby, Paul Horn, Bettye LaVette, and Jim James will perform at the David Lynch Foundation’s benefit concert, “Change Begins Within,” at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Saturday, April 4th, 7:30 p.m.

David Lynch, Russell Simmons, Laura Dern, and other surprise guests will fill out the star-studded slate as presenters.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. through Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 866-858-0008.

“Change Begins Within” will raise funds to teach one million at-risk children to meditate giving them life-long tools to overcome stress and violence and promote peace and success in their lives. In 1968, the Beatles, Donovan, and Paul Horn traveled to India to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The trip’s dramatic impact was evident on their music and is credited for the acceptance of meditation in the West today.

Paul McCartney said his Transcendental Meditation practice has helped him personally over the past 40 years. “In moments of madness, it has helped me find moments of serenity,” Paul said. He added that he supports the work of the David Lynch Foundation to bring the technique to one million children for the same reason. “I would like to think that it would help provide them a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world.”

Ringo Starr expressed his personal satisfaction to be performing at the concert: “It gives me great pleasure to be part of this evening. I feel the aims of this charity are wonderful!”

Donovan added: “How great to be playing with Paul, Ringo, and Paul Horn again as we did in India in 1968. And now we see the amazing results of our work from 40 years ago to bring meditation to the whole world. It’s the same message today, which is, ‘Change begins within.’ ”

George Verschoor is the executive producer and co-creative director of the concert, Dan Parise is co-executive producer, and Laura Dawn is talent producer and co-creative director.

The David Lynch Foundation has provided scholarships since 2005 for more than 60,000 students, parents, and teachers to learn to meditate throughout the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The Foundation also funds independent university research on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on stress, learning, and behavior. For more information visit DavidLynchFoundation.org.

National Institutes of Health: The NIH has awarded over $24 million during the past 20 years to investigate the effects of Transcendental Meditation on brain functioning and cardiovascular disease.

Last updated: 8 June 2020
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