On August 1, 1971, Madison Square Garden in New York City became the stage for a historic event: The Concert for Bangladesh. Organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, the benefit concert aimed to raise funds and awareness for the humanitarian crisis in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where millions were suffering due to war, famine, and displacement.

What made this event groundbreaking was its scale and purpose. It was the first major rock concert organized explicitly for humanitarian aid, setting a precedent for future benefit events like Live Aid and We Are the World. By leveraging music as a force for global awareness, Harrison and his fellow artists proved that rock and roll could be more than entertainment—it could be a platform for real-world change.

Background: The Crisis in Bangladesh

In 1971, the region now known as Bangladesh was caught in a brutal conflict for independence from Pakistan. After the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, a campaign of mass violence ensued, targeting Bengali civilians, intellectuals, and political leaders. The war led to the deaths of an estimated 300,000 to 3 million people and forced around 10 million refugees to flee into neighboring India, creating a severe humanitarian crisis marked by starvation, disease, and displacement.

Ravi Shankar, an Indian sitar virtuoso with deep personal ties to the region, was devastated by the suffering in Bangladesh. Determined to help, he initially planned a small benefit concert but realized he needed a larger platform to make a real impact. He turned to his close friend and former Beatles guitarist, George Harrison, who immediately took action. What began as a modest fundraising effort quickly transformed into one of the most significant charity concerts in music history.

George Harrison’s Involvement

When Ravi Shankar first approached George Harrison about the crisis in Bangladesh, he initially hoped for a modest fundraiser—perhaps a small concert or album sales to generate donations. However, Harrison, deeply moved by Shankar’s plea and the suffering of the Bangladeshi people, envisioned something far more impactful. Recognizing the power of rock music to draw global attention, he decided to organize a large-scale benefit concert, something unprecedented at the time.

Harrison immediately set to work, using his influence to secure Madison Square Garden as the venue and personally inviting some of the biggest names in music. Despite the challenges—coordinating artists on short notice, securing visas, and ensuring all proceeds went to relief efforts—Harrison’s determination never wavered. He even released a song, “Bangla Desh,” ahead of the concert to generate awareness. His efforts transformed what could have been a niche fundraising effort into a historic humanitarian event, proving that music could be a powerful force for change.

The Concert: Key Details

On August 1, 1971, The Concert for Bangladesh took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It featured two performances—one in the afternoon and another in the evening—drawing a combined audience of around 40,000 people. The event was an unprecedented gathering of rock and pop legends, all united for a humanitarian cause.

George Harrison led an all-star lineup that included Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and Ravi Shankar, among others. Dylan’s appearance was particularly notable, as he had been largely absent from live performances at the time. His set included classics like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” adding a politically charged edge to the event.

Harrison’s own performances were highlights of the night, with renditions of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “My Sweet Lord.” The concert also showcased Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” and Billy Preston’s soulful “That’s the Way God Planned It.” Ravi Shankar opened the show with a mesmerizing Indian classical set, bringing attention to the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh.

Impact and Legacy

The Concert for Bangladesh was a landmark event, both musically and philanthropically. Financially, it raised approximately $250,000 on the day of the concert alone, with millions more generated through album and film sales in the following years. The funds were directed to UNICEF to support relief efforts for Bangladeshi refugees, helping provide food, medical aid, and shelter. Beyond the money raised, the concert brought global attention to the crisis, prompting governments and humanitarian organizations to increase their support.

The event also set the blueprint for future benefit concerts. Without the Concert for Bangladesh, there might never have been events like Live Aid (1985) or The Concert for New York City (2001). Harrison and Shankar proved that musicians could mobilize their audiences for a cause, demonstrating the power of music as a force for activism.

However, the initiative was not without challenges. Due to tax and legal complications, some of the funds were delayed in reaching Bangladesh. The difficulties in quickly transferring money from charitable entertainment projects highlighted the need for more efficient donation channels—something later benefit concerts sought to improve. Despite these setbacks, The Concert for Bangladesh remains a defining moment in music history, proving that artists could leverage their influence to effect real, tangible change.