FLASHBACK: The Concert For Bangladesh
George Harrison passed away 16 years ago today, and while his absence is still felt, his immensely influential career and body of work is something that is looked at in…
17th September 1970: Sitar player Ravi Shankar with his former pupil George Harrison publicising the first ever Indian Festival to be held in Britain.
Photo by Central Press/Getty ImagesGeorge Harrison passed away 16 years ago today, and while his absence is still felt, his immensely influential career and body of work is something that is looked at in awe.
Stepping outside of the realm of The Beatles, one of Harrison’s finest moments was The Concert for Bangladesh. Featuring Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston and Leon Russell, The Concert for Bangladesh took place during an afternoon and evening performance at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971.
The show was a pioneer in the concept of the all-star benefit concert and paved the way for the likes of Live Aid, Farm Aid and many more. Released both as an album and as a concert film, The Concert For Bangladesh would go on to raise millions in the years since its release for the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF, which helps distribute aid and relief efforts to those in need in Bangladesh and other parts of the world.
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger. The first man she ever loved was Jack Daniel. True story.
