The Concert for Bangladesh (August 1, 1971)

[yerblues1968]

THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH


Madison Square Garden, New York


August 1, 1971



The Concert For Bangladesh was the event title for two benefit concerts organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at noon and at 7:00 p.m. on August 1, 1971, playing to a total of 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Organized for the relief of refugees from East Pakistan (now independent Bangladesh) after the 1970 Bhola cyclone and during the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities and Bangladesh Liberation War, the event was the first benefit concert of this magnitude in world history. It featured an all-star supergroup of performers that included Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston and Leon Russell.

An album was released later in 1971 and a concert film was released in 1972, with later releases for home video. In 2005, the film was re-issued on DVD accompanied by a new documentary.

The concert raised US$243,418.50 for Bangladesh relief, which was administered by UNICEF. Sales of the album and DVD continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.


BACKGROUND

As East Pakistan struggled to become the separate state of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the tremendous political and military turmoil and the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities led to a massive refugee problem in India. This problem was compounded by the 1970 Bhola cyclone, bringing torrential rains causing devastating floods and threatening a humanitarian disaster.


George Harrison and Ravi Shankar


Bengali musician Ravi Shankar consulted his friend George Harrison regarding a means of providing help to the situation. Harrison recorded the single Bangla Desh to raise awareness and pushed Apple Records to release Shankar's single Joi Bangla in a dual-pronged effort to raise funds.

Shankar also asked Harrison's advice regarding a small fund-raising concert in the United States. Harrison took the idea and started calling his friends, persuading them to join him in a large concert at Madison Square Garden. The event was organised within five weeks.

Harrison first asked his fellow Beatles to appear. John Lennon agreed to take part in the concert, however Harrison stipulated that Lennon's wife Yoko Ono not perform with him. Lennon agreed, but left New York two days before the event following an argument with Ono regarding his and Harrison's agreement that she not participate. Paul McCartney declined because of the bad feelings caused by The Beatles' legal problems on their break-up. Ringo Starr, however, readily agreed to appear.


CONCERT PROGRAM

Ravi Shankar and the sarodist Ali Akbar Khan opened the concert with recital of Indian music consisting of the dhun, "Bangla Dhun".

Except for back-up roles in support of both the Delaney & Bonnie Blues Band and John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, it was the first live appearance for George Harrison since the breakup of The Beatles. Eric Clapton made his first public appearance since the end of the five-month Derek and the Dominos tour the previous December. Clapton was still in the grip of a heroin addiction, and had been unable to attend any rehearsals until the final soundcheck. This was the first live performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and was the first time the public was made aware that it was Clapton who played the solo on The Beatles' recording.

Musical help was also on hand from Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Badfinger, a large horn section put together by Jim Horn and other musicians, including Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organized by Don Nix.


A Photo of Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. In the next photo are George Harrison, Leon Russell on piano, Phil Spector, Tom Evans and Pete Ham of Badfinger, respectively.


Bob Dylan made his first stage appearance since the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969. Apart from sitting in for a few numbers with The Band on New Year 1972 and an unannounced appearance backing John Prine on harmonica at a Greenwich Village club, he did not play live again until January 1974.


HERE Are THE HIGHLIGHTS:




Ravi Shankar being introduced by George Harrison, Press Conference July 27, 1971
and Madison Square Gardens - Part 1 (9:43 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-66uz725Dzk




Ravi Shankar, Madison Square Gardens - Part 2 (6:43 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9TL29M4gQ8




George Harrison sings “Wah-Wah” (6.00 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=yn2UH2eiuQo




George Harrison sings “My Sweet Lord” and "Awaiting On You All." (7:34 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks4TQtca7Ss




Billy Preston sings "That's The Way God Planned It." (4.30 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=QyyetXvX76Q




Ringo Starr sings "It Don't Come Easy." (3.18 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=w1HX3MIJE-U




George Harrison and Leon Russell sing "Beware of Darkness." (3.31 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB_2ECR0z0


BAND INTRODUCTION




After band introduction, George Harrison sings, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." (8:01 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3owg6XZaLM



Leon Russell and friends perform "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood." (9.37 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=ce_Z9NuwVBY




George Harrison sings "Here Comes the Sun" – featuring Pete Ham on rhythm guitar. (3.33 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=01D8-rUlyQ0


Bob Dylan

All songs written and performed by Bob Dylan, with George Harrison on Fender Stratocaster, Leon Russell
on Klaus Voormann's custom-painted Fender Precision Bass and Ringo Starr on tambourine.




Bob Dylan sings "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." (6.17 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FB0pYtUC9I




Bob Dylan sings "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" and "Blowin' In The Wind." (7:00 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ABrXla_Jk




Bob Dylan sings "Just Like A Woman." (4.43 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=yQW-Xay5g7k




Bob Dylan sings "Love Minus Zero /No Limit." (4:07 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjmJmm3kV38




Outtake from the Concert for Bangladesh. Bob Dylan and George Harrison sing "If Not For You." (3.00 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=cdvjoIfGViU


ENCORE




George Harrison sings, "Something." (3.24 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=XNsvYHiNK9k




George Harrison sings, "Bangla Desh." (5.55 minutes)
youtube.com/watch?v=jZZ96J_PVbk



The Concert for Bangladesh Limited Deluxe Edition DVD (2005) is available for purchase online:
www.amazon.com/Concert-Bangladesh-Limited-Deluxe/dp/B000AYQJJ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1214011070&sr=1-2




Ringo Starr remembers the Concert for Bangladesh. (1:41 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MePm9OxTBI




UNICEF honors George Harrison for the "Concert for Bangladesh" in New York City on August 1, 2006, 35 years later after the historic concert event raised over $15 million for UNICEF. George Harrison was inducted into the Madison Square Gardens
"Walk of Fame." George Harrison's widow Olivia had previously opened the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF with an initial
donation of $1 million funding programs in Bangladesh. (2:14 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhwwu05r3Zw




George Harrison August 1,1991 "Concert for Bangladesh" interview coinciding with the CD release
of the "Concert for Bangladesh" album and 20th anniversary of the concert. (7:02 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YflkzcbKmz4


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_For_Bangladesh

[yerblues1968]

GEORGE HARRISON - THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH 1971


WHY HE WANTED THIS CONCERT


The year 1971 is the most special year for Bangladesh. It achieved independence after a very painful war against Pakistan which resulted in loss of 3 million lives including the best scholars and intellectuals. For writing this article for this website, I have searched almost every website that said anything about the Concert for Bangladesh and what I found is that almost all of them have assumed that the readers know about the background of the concert and the Liberation war of Bangladesh and due to their assumption they have hardly said anything about the background. In this article I like to focus more on this aspect so that you, the western readers, can get an idea of the reasons that led George Harrison to fight for the cause.

When the British left their Indian colony then India was divided into countries- India and Pakistan. Pakistan had two wings and they were hundreds of miles away from each other. Bangladesh was known as the East Pakistan while the modern Pakistan was known as the West Pakistan. That time the Bengalis (of East Pakistan) were the majority forming the 56% of the entire population. On the other hand there were mainly 3-4 races in West Pakistan, the Punjabis forming the majority there. Since the history of Pakistan has been always dominated by the army and since it was the people of West Pakistan who had total control of the army they had the real power and they started all kinds of discriminations from the first day of Pakistan’s existence as an independent country. In 1952 massive unrest occurred in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) over the question of national language. The West Pakistani leaders wanted to impose Urdu on the Bengalis despite the fact Bengali was the mother tongue of 56% of the total population of Pakistan.

On 21 February 1952 many people sacrificed their lives to protect their language. And now, in order to show respect to their sacrifice, the United Nations officially observe this day (21 February) as the International Mother Language Day all over the world. And from 1956 Pakistan was cursed with military rule for a long time. In 1969 there was massive unrest in all parts of the country demanding democracy and the dictator, general Auyb Khan, had to step down. The new head of Army promised to return to democracy and general election was held towards the end of 1970. In that election, Awami League (a party based in East Pakistan) got a resounding majority in the national parliament. Unfortunately, the military and West Pakistani political leaders were reluctant to hand over power to Bengali leaders and the army started one of the worst genocides of world history on the night of 25 March. The people of Bangladesh started their liberation war and received warm support from India. 10 million people from Bangladesh took refuge in India.

At that time, India was a close ally of Soviet Union while Pakistan was the closest friend of USA in South Asia. Thus the US Government remained silent about the genocide and tried to treat it as a civil war not as a liberation war. Naturally the other US allies remained passive about this matter too. However, the Bangladesh cause received wide support from the western media, the intellectuals, political leaders and the common people. And George Harrison played a pivotal role in creating public awareness for this cause through ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’.

In the previous article you have seen that George Harrison was related to the Indian culture a lot. The literature and culture of Bangladesh is strongly influenced by Hinduism, Budhism and Islam although around 85% of the population of Bangladesh is Muslims. And many great Bengalis had their origin in Bangladesh but later migrated to India after the creation of Pakistan.

Pandit Ravi Shankar had close relationship to Bangladesh and he informed George Harrison about the Liberation War of Bangladesh and suggested that they try to do something for the Bangladeshi people. Thus the first concert for world humanity happened.



George Harrison and Pandit Ravi Shankar.


Ravi Shamkar requested that they should try to raise $25,000 (25 Thousand) for the UNICEF fund to help the Bengali refuges who took shelter in India. After hearing the details about the loss of life and the liberation war of the common people then George Harrion stated that they must try to do something bigger than that. Thus the first concert for world humanity took place on 1 August 1971 at Madison Square Garden. Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and Bob Dylan- these great superstars took part in this concert. I have gone through the history of rock music and I must say that we cant find any concert before ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ that included so many great talents in one stage.

Ravi Shankar presented the brilliant raga called "Bangla Dhun" with his excellent skill of sitar and other Indian instruments. Bob Dylan came back to sing after a long self imposed isolation from music. George Harrison sang some of his hit songs, but it was the last song, titled ‘Bangladesh’, that created a somber atmosphere as it was an appeal to help mission of helpless people in dire distress. Here are the lyrics to the song"


GEORGE HARRISON LYRICS


"Bangla Desh"

My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes
He told me that he wanted help
Before his country dies

Although I couldn't feel the pain, I knew I had to try
Now I'm asking all of you
To help us save some lives

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Where so many people are dying fast
And it sure looks like a mess
I've never seen such distress
Now won't you lend your hand and understand
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Such a great disaster - I don't understand
But it sure looks like a mess
I've never known such distress
Now please don't turn away, I want to hear you say
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
Relieve Bangla Desh

Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh
Now it may seem so far from where we all are
It's something we can't neglect
It's something I can't neglect
Now won't you give some bread to get the starving fed
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh
We've got to relieve Bangla Desh
Relieve the people of Bangla Desh


The message of the lyric is simple but it bears a strong appeal for saving millions of desperate people. A closer look at the language of the lyrics shows that George Harrison only talked of the plight of the common people. He did not say a word about the Liberation War or did not try to justify the cause of the Bengalis. This makes the appeal more touching and takes away any chance of creating any controversy. Harrison’s effort to stage the first humanitarian concert was not only a unique effort but also a daring one too, because at that time the Washington Government and it allies supported Pakistan because of Cold War rivalry with Soviet Union. The Pakistani military regime used this support of the west to their advantage by carrying out propaganda that some terrorists with the support of India and the Soviet Union were trying to separate East Pakistan (Bangladesh) from Pakistan. Even they used their connections in the west so that the word, ‘Bangladesh’ may not be pronounced officially by anybody. Thus George Harrison took a risk to antagonize the Pakistani military regime and its supporters in the west. But for the cause of Bangladesh, it resulted into creating international attention about the miserable condition of the common people. We should not forget that in 1971 media was not so powerful like now. There was no Internet or no cable TV like now.

So, George Harrison’s concert contributed immensely to make the international community aware about the liberation war of Bangladesh. After George Harrison died many persons in Bangladesh expressed their condolence. The Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia and the leader of the opposition, Sheikh Hasina, sent their condolence officially. To the people of Bangladesh, George Harrison is a true friend who fought for them in their distress.



George Harrison; Former (10th) Prime Minister of Bangladesh 1996-2001, Sheikh Hasina; and also former (9th and 11th) Prime Minister of Bangladesh 1991-1996 and 2001-2006, Begum Khaleda Zia. Both former Prime Ministers of Bangladesh sent their condolences when George Harrison passed away.


Razib Ahmed © beatlesnumber9


beatlesnumber9.com/bangladesh.html


Lawyer Says Bangladesh Never Thanked George Harrison - Thursday, Decemer 11, 2008
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gnUGNm_dZfV6IlkP_pBaAGt9mTJw

[yerblues1968]

Singer Ajit Roy holds the bronze plaque of George Harrison at the
Liberation War Museum at Segunbagicha in the city yesterday.
Photo: STAR


GEORGE HARRISON RETURNS TO WHO HE SANG FOR


The Daily Star
Staff Correspondent


Wednesday, February 25, 2009



It is more than a song. It is testimony to a great soul empathising with a nation fighting for independence.

Back in 1971, George Harrison's Bangladesh was a clarion call for the world community to stand by the millions of Bangalees who had been displaced by the Pakistan occupation army.

The song he wrote and the concert he organised in August that year had people across the globe united in supporting Bangladesh's struggle for liberation.

Late Harrison, who shot to fame in the 1960s as lead guitarist of the Beatles, legendary British rock quartet, was a great friend of Bangladesh.

To help new generations learn about his contribution, the Liberation War Museum yesterday installed a bronze plaque in his memory.

It received the memorial from Harrison fan and British singer Danis Theophilus.

The speakers at a function on this occasion urged the government to confer state honour on Harrison and Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar for their outstanding role in marshalling opinion during the Liberation War.

Ajit Roy and Shaheen Samad of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra unveiled the plaque. Museum trustees Akku Chowdhury, Mofidul Haque, Dr Sarwar Ali and Tarek Ali, among others, were present.

Harrison joined hands with his friend Ravi Shankar to assemble legends like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston to play for the cause of Bangladesh. Over 40,000 people gathered at New York's Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971.

The first of its kind, the benefit concert raised $243,418.51 for relief funds that UNICEF administered for Bangalee refugees in India.

Composer of songs like Here Comes the Sun, Something and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England, on February 25, 1943 and died on November 29, 2001.




Banglalink, a leading phone company, made this commercial
to honor the great George Harrison. (1:28 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SwCDCvF7AE


Liberation War Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh
www.liberationwarmuseum.org/museum.html

www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=77368