When George played for a nation
On 1 August, 1971, Madison Square Garden witnessed more than just a star-studded concert—it became the epicenter of a groundbreaking fusion of music and humanitarianism.
Spearheaded by former Beatle George Harrison and legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, 'The Concert for Bangladesh' became the first major benefit concert of its kind, raising both funds and global awareness for refugees affected by the Bangladesh Liberation War and the devastating 1970 Bhola cyclone.
From Beatle to benefactor
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Not even a whole two years since The Beatles' breakup, George Harrison was determined to channel his fame into something far bigger than pop stardom. When Ravi Shankar approached him with hopes of raising $25,000 for Bangladeshi refugees, Harrison amplified the vision into a full-scale concert.
He leveraged his industry clout, rallying artistes like Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, and Bob Dylan—though not without effort. Dylan was hesitant, Clapton was battling personal demons, and the absence of Lennon and McCartney was palpable. Still, Harrison's quiet conviction proved magnetic.
Despite minimal security and the logistical challenges of a two-show lineup, the event ran remarkably smoothly. Ticket sales alone raised $250,000—ten times the original goal. The subsequent triple-vinyl album and concert film added millions more.
Delays caused by tax complications held back funds temporarily, but the eventual total, distributed through UNICEF, reached $12 million. More than just a fundraiser, the concert stood as proof that artists could create global impact through their platforms.
The ripple effect of one guitar
The Concert for Bangladesh set a powerful precedent. It inspired future mega-events like Live Aid and Farm Aid, redefined what musicians could achieve offstage, and established a model for benefit concerts still followed today.
For Harrison, it wasn't about ego—it was about empathy. As he once wrote, "Try to realise it's all within yourself," and with that inner clarity, he turned music into meaningful action on a global scale.
