George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh
August 1st, 1971
August 1st, 1971
How Long Ago?
53 years, 7 months, 14 days ago
Location
New York City, USA
Category
Arts & Culture
War/Conflict
Bangladesh Liberation War
People
- Bob Dylan
- George Harrison
- Ringo Starr
- Ravi Shankar
- Eric Clapton
Links & References
Tags
George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh
The Concert for Bangladesh was a groundbreaking benefit concert organized by former Beatle George Harrison. Held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the concert featured performances by renowned artists like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh due to the civil war and subsequent famine. It marked a significant moment in music history as one of the first large-scale charitable concerts.
First major charity concert in music history.
Raised over $12 million for Bangladesh relief.
Featured performances by renowned artists.
Influenced future benefit concerts globally.
What Happened?
The Concert for Bangladesh was a pioneering benefit concert held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Organized by George Harrison, along with Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, the concert took place to address the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh resulting from the Bangladesh Liberation War and its devastating aftermath, including famine. Scheduled for two performances, the concert showcased a lineup of legendary musicians, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston, attracting an audience of thousands and a worldwide television audience.
The concert represented not only an act of compassion but also sparked a new trend in the music industry, leading to subsequent benefit concerts for various causes. The event demonstrated the ability of music to rally support for humanitarian efforts, with proceeds estimated at over $12 million, directed to UNICEF for relief work in Bangladesh. The success of the concert established a new model for fundraising within the entertainment industry.
The Concert for Bangladesh also included a historic live album and film release, which contributed further to its financial success and raised awareness about the plight of those suffering in the region. Thus, it became a cultural milestone in merging the worlds of music and humanitarian activism, showcasing how artists could mobilize resources and advocate for social causes effectively.
Why Does it Matter?
The Concert for Bangladesh is significant as it set a precedent for future charity concerts, establishing a blueprint for musicians to use their platform for social change. It brought global attention to crises and demonstrated the collective power of artists advocating for humanitarian aid, influencing many subsequent charitable events.
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