George Harrison's famous charity concert, the 'Concert for Bangladesh,' is now available for streaming on all major platforms. This live album, first released in 1971, features a star-studded lineup and has been a significant part of music history.
On August 1, 1971, George Harrison used his fame to help Bengali refugees suffering from the civil war in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). About 10 million people had fled to India, facing famine and disease. To raise money and awareness, Harrison organized two sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The concerts brought together some of the biggest names in music, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Leon Russell, and Ringo Starr. Harrison later praised the musicians for setting aside their egos to support a cause greater than themselves. The event was a pioneer in the charity concert format, influencing future events like Live Aid.
The 'Concert for Bangladesh' album features Harrison performing hits such as “My Sweet Lord” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” with Clapton joining him for a memorable guitar duel. Dylan sings classics like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Blowin’ in the Wind,” while Starr plays his hit “It Don’t Come Easy.”
Leon Russell performs a dynamic medley of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Young Blood.”
All net proceeds from the streaming album will go to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF. For more information, visit www.georgeharrisonfundforunicef.org. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product.
