Concert for Bangladesh

Concert for Bangladesh was a groundbreaking dual-venue benefit concert organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar to raise awareness and funds for refugees of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The event was held on August 1, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring performances by Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and Ringo Starr, among others. The concert was a massive success, with over 40,000 attendees and a significant impact on the global music scene, influencing future benefit concerts like Live Aid and Live 8. The event also brought attention to the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, with support from United Nations and UNICEF.

Background

The Bangladesh Liberation War had created a massive refugee crisis, with millions of Bengalis fleeing to India to escape the violence. Ravi Shankar, who had been touring with The Beatles in the past, approached George Harrison with the idea of organizing a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for the refugees. Harrison was inspired by the Woodstock Music & Art Fair and the Isle of Wight Festival, and he quickly assembled a team of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix's former bandmates, to perform at the concert. The event was also supported by Allen Ginsberg, Yoko Ono, and John Lennon, who were all involved in various anti-war movements and humanitarian causes. The concert was held in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee.

Organization

The organization of the concert was a massive undertaking, with George Harrison and Ravi Shankar working tirelessly to bring together the various musicians and logistics. The event was produced by Phil Spector, who had previously worked with The Beatles on Let It Be, and Allen Klein, who was the manager of The Beatles at the time. The concert was held at Madison Square Garden, which was donated by Garden President William Fuchs, and the event was sponsored by UNICEF and the American Red Cross. The concert was also supported by various celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who all attended the event. The concert was promoted by Bill Graham, who was a well-known concert promoter and owner of the Fillmore music venues.

Performances

The concert featured a diverse range of performances, including sets by Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Alla Rakha, who performed traditional Indian classical music. The event also featured performances by Bob Dylan, who played a set with George Harrison and Leon Russell, and Eric Clapton, who played with Derek and the Dominos. The concert also included performances by Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Klaus Voormann, who all played with George Harrison and his band. The event was hosted by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, who introduced the various performers and spoke about the importance of the concert and its cause. The concert was also attended by various music critics, including Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus, who wrote about the event for The Village Voice and Rolling Stone.

Impact

The concert had a significant impact on the global music scene, raising awareness and funds for the refugees of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The event also influenced future benefit concerts, including Live Aid and Live 8, which were organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. The concert also brought attention to the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, with support from United Nations and UNICEF. The event was also recognized by the Grammy Awards, with the concert's live album winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1973. The concert was also praised by music critics, including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, who wrote about the event's significance and impact.

Legacy

The concert's legacy continues to be felt today, with the event remaining one of the most significant and influential benefit concerts in history. The event has been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it continues to inspire new generations of musicians and humanitarian activists. The concert's live album has been re-released several times, including a 2005 re-release that featured additional tracks and a documentary film about the event. The concert has also been the subject of various books and documentary films, including The Concert for Bangladesh (film) and George Harrison: Living in the Material World. The event remains an important part of music history, with its influence continuing to be felt in the music industry and beyond, with support from organizations like Amnesty International and Oxfam. Category:Benefit concerts