August 1 marks the 40th anniversary of a pair of historic benefit concerts that the late George Harrison staged with a little help from some very famous friends.
Now, thanks to new technology, fans of all ages can relive the event. Tuesday marks the digital debut of The Concert for Bangladesh, the Grammy Award-winning album documenting the two 1971 shows that paved the way for star-studded projects such as No Nukes and Live Aid. Performers include Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Harrison’s co-organiser Ravi Shankar.
The digital release is available exclusively at iTunes, with Harrison’s studio single “Bangladesh” as a bonus track. In addition, the 1972 documentary film of the same name will stream for 72 hours, Saturday through Monday, on iTunes and at georgeharrison.com and theconcertforbangladesh.com. All proceeds after taxes will go to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.
For Shankar — who sparked the concert by telling Harrison of the plight of refugees escaping famine, flood and civil war in East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh — the release and stream are reminders of a “magic” assemblage of talent and altruism.
“It was the first of its kind, in raising money for people under such conditions,” Shankar says. “Now people do this sort of thing quite often, which is wonderful.”
Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis confirms that the concerts, staged at New York’s Madison Square Garden, were pop music’s “first instance of someone trying to bring celebrity power to bear on a humanitarian crisis. There was no infrastructure then for how to pull together something like this.”
The shows “were musically significant, too,” he says. “Harrison hadn’t really performed outside The Beatles, and the support he got was palpable. Dylan hadn’t performed in years, and he was terrific; Clapton was ravaged by drugs at the time, but he was great.”
To drive home the concerts’ charitable aim, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is declaring August a “Month for Giving,” during which donations to the George Harrison Fund will benefit children in the famine and drought-ravaged Horn of Africa. Artists spanning several generations, including alumni of the Bangladesh concerts, have pledged support. Starr, Clapton, Russell, Brian Wilson, Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias, Arcade Fire and Nas will be among those tweeting, posting Facebook content and otherwise engaging fans.
Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund, notes that Harrison’s widow, Olivia, “was truly committed to doing something in George’s name this summer that makes a difference in the lives of children today.”
Shankar says it’s “a joy to see the younger generation concerned about things like this.” Just don’t expect the legendary sitarist, now 91, to join them in using social media or other modern technology to support the cause.
“I’ve tried it, but I just cannot do it,” Shankar says with a laugh. “My wife is more savvy.”
With USA Today input
