Few charity concerts have had the lasting impact of The Concert for Bangladesh, staged at New York’s Madison Square Garden on 1 August 1971.
Organised by former Beatle George Harrison and Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, the event was created to raise money and international awareness for millions of refugees fleeing the humanitarian crisis caused by the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The idea came after Shankar appealed to Harrison for help. Rather than simply making a donation, Harrison assembled one of the greatest line-ups in rock history. The two sold-out concerts featured performances by George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Badfinger, along with an all-star backing band that included musicians such as Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner and members of Delaney & Bonnie’s touring group.
Highlights included Harrison’s stirring rendition of My Sweet Lord, Billy Preston’s energetic performance of That’s the Way God Planned It, Leon Russell’s gospel-infused medley, and Bob Dylan’s surprise appearance, his first major live performance in several years.
The concerts raised hundreds of thousands of dollars immediately, with additional funds generated through the best-selling live album and concert film. More importantly, they established the blueprint for future large-scale charity concerts, proving that popular music could unite artists and audiences in support of urgent humanitarian causes around the world.
The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF is a joint charity project created by Olivia Harrison and UNICEF USA in 2005, rooted in George Harrison’s historic 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. It helps children in danger around the world. Sales of the live album and DVD release of the film continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.
The Concert for Bangladesh is available on CD, DVD, blu-ray and digital download from shopfront and online retailers, and the George Harrison web site.
Also on Bang a Gong, the George Harrison single: Bangla Desh
George Harrison and friends performing Bangla Desh at The Concert for Bangla Desh:
Tracks on the concert album assembled as a playlist, with songs by George, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell and Bob Dylan:
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