George Harrison and Friends, and their Concert for Bangladesh: A Musical Response to a Humanitarian Crisis
In the early 1970s, the world witnessed a humanitarian disaster unfolding in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, amid the Bangladesh Liberation War. The political and military upheaval, combined with natural calamities, precipitated a massive refugee crisis, with approximately 10 million people fleeing to neighboring India. Against this backdrop of suffering, the Concert for Bangladesh emerged as a pioneering benefit concert, orchestrated by two renowned musicians: George Harrison and Ravi Shankar. This historic event not only raised substantial funds but also set a precedent for future benefit concerts, illustrating the powerful intersection of music and humanitarian aid.
The Crisis in East Pakistan
The roots of the crisis in East Pakistan can be traced back to the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, during which East Pakistan sought independence from West Pakistan to become the sovereign state of Bangladesh. The conflict led to widespread atrocities under the Pakistani military’s Operation Searchlight, resulting in the deaths of at least 250,000 civilians, with some estimates going significantly higher. Compounding this human tragedy, the Bhola cyclone in November 1970 had already devastated the region, claiming up to half a million lives and leaving the survivors in dire straits. The situation worsened in March 1971 with torrential rains and floods, exacerbating the humanitarian disaster and displacing millions.
The refugee crisis that followed saw almost 10 million people cross into India, particularly the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata), creating a new set of challenges, including severe food shortages and the outbreak of diseases like cholera. The plight of the Bengali people caught the attention of Ravi Shankar, a renowned Bengali musician, who felt compelled to help his homeland.
The Genesis of the Concert
Ravi Shankar first brought the dire situation to the attention of his close friend George Harrison, the former Beatle, in the early months of 1971. Shankar and Harrison were collaborating on the soundtrack for the film “Raga” when Shankar described the urgent need for aid. Deeply moved by the accounts of suffering and destruction, Harrison decided to leverage his influence and resources to organize a benefit concert.
By late June 1971, spurred by a powerful article by Pakistani journalist Anthony Mascarenhas in the Sunday Times of London, which detailed the atrocities in Bangladesh, Harrison committed himself to the cause. He began the intensive process of organising the Concert for Bangladesh, a project that would dominate his life for the next several months.
Organising the Concert
Initially, Shankar hoped to raise $25,000 through a small benefit concert. However, with Harrison’s involvement, the idea quickly expanded into a grand musical event. Leveraging his connections within the music industry and the resources of Apple Corps, the Beatles’ multimedia company, Harrison set out to create a star-studded concert. The chosen venue was Madison Square Garden in New York City, one of the most prestigious locations in America.
Harrison reached out to a host of prominent musicians, including his former Beatles bandmates, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Badfinger, and Bob Dylan, among others. Most of these artists agreed to participate almost immediately. Despite challenges such as Clapton’s heroin addiction and John Lennon’s last-minute withdrawal due to personal conflicts, Harrison managed to assemble a remarkable lineup.
The concert was scheduled for August 1, 1971, with two shows planned for the day. Rehearsals began in late July in New York City, with final preparations taking place at Madison Square Garden. The setlist included a mix of Harrison’s solo work, Beatles classics, and performances by the guest artists.
Afternoon Show
The afternoon show opened with a set of Indian classical music performed by Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Alla Rakha, and Kamala Chakravarty. Despite some initial restlessness, the audience’s respect and appreciation grew as the performance progressed.
Harrison then took the stage with his “Friends,” kicking off the Western music segment with “Wah-Wah,” followed by hits like “My Sweet Lord,” “Something,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” featuring a memorable guitar duel with Clapton. The concert also showcased standout performances by Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell.
The highlight of the show was undoubtedly Bob Dylan’s appearance, marking his first major public performance since the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969. Accompanied by Harrison, Russell, and Starr, Dylan delivered powerful renditions of his classics, including “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “Just Like a Woman.”
Evening Show
The evening show followed a similar format but included some variations in the setlist and order of performances. Harrison, feeling more confident, delivered an even more dynamic performance. Dylan made some changes to his set, adding “Mr. Tambourine Man” to the mix.
Both shows were received with overwhelming enthusiasm, and the event was hailed as a monumental success. The concerts raised $243,418.50, which was donated to UNICEF.
Aftermath and Legacy
The success of the Concert for Bangladesh extended beyond the immediate funds raised. The live album and concert film, released later, generated significant additional revenue for the cause. Despite initial complications, including tax issues and allegations of financial mismanagement against Allen Klein, Harrison’s manager, the project ultimately raised millions for the relief effort.
By 1985, nearly $12 million had been sent to Bangladesh through UNICEF. In subsequent years, Harrison continued to support humanitarian causes, advising on projects like Live Aid. Speaking in the 1990s, Harrison said of the Bangladesh relief effort: "Now it's all settled and the UN own the rights to it themselves, and I think there's been about 45 million dollars made."
The legacy of the Concert for Bangladesh endures, with continued sales of the album and film contributing to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.
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