It was the first large scale rock music benefit concert. Sunday August 1, 1971. Two shows at Madison Square Garden, New York, in response to an appalling humanitarian crisis in east Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
Indian musician Ravi Shankar was hearing stories of the crisis. He called his friend, George Harrison, asking for help. George phoned some friends, and in just four weeks, put together a stellar line up. Two ex-Beatles, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, and Bob Dylan, seen live just once since 1966.
The concerts raised $US250,000. An album and a film continue to raise money – all up, it’s more than $20 million. Long before Live Aid, Farm Aid and the others, there was a great show, one of the best live albums ever made, and a great performance movie.
Listen to the story of the Concert for Bangladesh.
