Fifty-five years ago this Saturday, August 1st, 1971, George Harrison staged The Concert for Bangladesh, the first of its kind large scale all-star benefit, which paved the way for the likes of Live Aid, Farm Aid, Live 8 and the Concert for New York City.
The two shows — afternoon and evening — were held at New York’s Madison Square Garden to raise money for the refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) at the request of his friend, Indian sitar virtuoso and a composer Ravi Shankar.
Harrison rounded up Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Badfinger. Clapton, who was addicted to heroin, agreed to participate but only if Harrison would supply drugs. John Lennon was invited, but without Yoko Ono. He reportedly agreed, but then argued with Yoko over it and backed out. Paul McCartney declined in the wake of The Beatles‘ acrimonious breakup the year before. And Ringo Starr crashed the party.
The Concert for Bangladesh, which supported UNICEF’s programs in the country, pioneered the all-star concert benefit model, which continues to move hearts and raise funds today. Please support the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF and its ongoing work to help get critical aid to the children who need it most.
A three-record set of the show was released later in 1971 and won a Grammy for Album of the Year. It’s been reissued several times since, most recently 15 years ago as a digital download.
[ YouTube: The Beatles ]
