“George Harrison and Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar’s brother Uday Shankar.” TEKEE TANWAR/AFP/Getty Images
On August 1, 1971, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar staged two concerts at Madison Square Garden that brought together a star-studded cast of musicians.
The Concert for Bangladesh, which supported UNICEF’s programs in that country, was the first benefit concert of its kind.
The concert was the first live appearance by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]George Harrison[/lastfm] since the break-up of the [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Beatles[/lastfm]. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Paul McCartney[/lastfm] declined an appearance, but [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ringo Starr[/lastfm] was there as well as members of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon[/lastfm]‘s Plastic Ono Band. It was also the first live appearance by[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Bob Dylan[/lastfm] since 1969.
Also on stage: [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Eric Clapton[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Leon Russell[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Billy Preston[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Badfinger[/lastfm] and the [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Delaney & Bonnie[/lastfm] Blues Band.
Honoring the 40th anniversary of this historic event, The Concert for Bangladesh feature film is now streaming in its entirety in a free 72-hour online event at TheConcertForBangladesh.com, which also has info about the Concert and the George Harrison Fund For UNICEF.
George Harrison “Bangladesh”
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