"The Concert for Bangladesh" is a historic benefit concert organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 1, 1971.
The concert was initiated by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of The Beatles, and Ravi Shankar, the renowned sitar player.
The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for the relief efforts in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) following the Bangladesh Liberation War and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
The concert featured a star-studded lineup, including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, and others.
The artists performed both individually and in various combinations, showcasing a mix of rock, folk, and Indian classical music.
The setlist included classics like "Here Comes the Sun," "Something," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall."
Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan presented Indian classical music.
"The Concert for Bangladesh" was a groundbreaking event, marking one of the first large-scale charity concerts organized by musicians.
The concert raised significant funds for UNICEF and created awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh.
A live triple album, also titled "The Concert for Bangladesh," was released in December 1971. It included highlights from the concert and became a critical and commercial success.
The concert was also documented in a film directed by Saul Swimmer, capturing the performances and behind-the-scenes moments.
The concert and the subsequent album received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."
"The Concert for Bangladesh" is considered a landmark event in the history of rock music and humanitarian efforts.
It paved the way for future benefit concerts and influenced artists to use their platform for social and charitable causes.
George Harrison's dedication to the cause, coupled with the participation of iconic musicians, turned "The Concert for Bangladesh" into a defining moment in rock history. It showcased the power of music to bring people together for a greater cause and set a precedent for future benefit concerts.
