Ravi Shankar, Sitar Player For The Beatles, Dead At 92

So sad. The former sitar player of The Beatles died Dec. 11 at 92 years old, following complications from his heart surgery.

The world has lost another musical legend. Two days after Grammy Award-winning singer Jenni Rivera died in a tragic plane crash, the former sitar player of The Beatles, Ravi Shankar, has died in San Diego, Calif. He was suffering from heart problems. Ravi became a hippie icon in the 1970s when he began performing with The Beatles, as few people fully appreciated the sitar, and he is credited with introducing Eastern influences to Western music. He also is the father of singer-songwriter Norah Jones.

Ravi became friends with Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, John Lennon and George Harrison in the 1960s. He is originally from India, and the late George called him the “the godfather of world music,” after he introduced centuries of old Indian music to rock and jazz lovers in the ’70s.

According to Fox News, Ravi died at his San Diego home with wife Sukanya Rajan and daughter Anoushka by his side. He had been suffering from upper respiratory and heart problems, and last week he had undergone heart-valve replacement surgery.

Sukanya and Anoushka released the following statement:

“Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as part of our lives.”

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called him a “national treasure” in the wake of his death. He has left behind some truly wonderful music.

Here at HollywoodLife.com, our thoughts are with Ravi’s friends and family.