Ravi Shankar, the sitar legend described as the “godfather of world music” by Beatles guitarist George Harrison, has died at 92.
Shankar — the father of Grammy-winning musician Norah Jones — died Tuesday following surgery in California to replace a heart valve, according to a statement from his family.
Shankar, who first performed internationally as a child, devoted his adult life to Indian classical music.
His audience widened after Harrison, who introduced the sitar into rock music by playing the instrument on the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” sought out Shankar’s tutelage.
In 1967, Shankar appeared at the Monterey International Pop Festival. Two years later, he played at Woodstock.
He collaborated with Harrison on the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, a benefit to help refugees.
Shankar held his last concert on Nov. 4, according to his Web site.
Jones and another daughter, sitar player Anoushka Shankar, followed his musical path.