George Harrison's 1971 Concert for Bangladesh Marks 55th Anniversary

On 1 August 1971, George Harrison and Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar organized the Concert for Bangladesh at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The benefit event was staged to raise money and awareness for millions of refugees fleeing the humanitarian crisis of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The sold‑out shows featured a historic line‑up that included Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and others, with Harrison performing “My Sweet Lord.” The concerts raised roughly $243,000 for UNICEF, and subsequent album and film releases generated additional funds. The event established the template for large‑scale charity concerts, influencing later initiatives such as Live Aid.

In 2026, the 55th anniversary of the concerts is being recalled, highlighting their lasting cultural and humanitarian legacy.