The Historic Concert for Bangladesh: Pioneering Benefit Concerts for Global Awareness
On August 1, 1971, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organized the groundbreaking Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden, attracting 40,000 attendees. The event aimed to raise international awareness and funds for East Pakistan’s refugees following the Bhola cyclone and civil war issues. Featuring an iconic lineup of artists, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr, it highlighted the power of music for humanitarian efforts. The concert raised approximately $250,000, inspiring future benefit concerts and resulting in a bestselling live album that generated millions for relief.
The Historic Concert for Bangladesh: Pioneering Benefit Concerts for Global Awareness
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Presentation Transcript
The Concert for Bangladesh • Organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar • August 1, 1971 • 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City
Why? • Raise international awareness and fund relief efforts for refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after the 1970 Bhola cyclone and civil war related problems • Had a best selling album from the concert
This was the first time a benefit concert was held of this size • “Supergroup” • George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, band Badfinger
“In one day, the whole world knew the name of Bangladesh. It was a fantastic occasion…” Ravi Shankar • Raised close to $250,000 for relief • Became an inspiration for other benefit concerts
Band Aid • Charity Supergroup • Founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
Bob Geldof- The Boomtown Rats • Irish band • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yteMugRAc0 (I Don’t Like Mondays video)
Bob Geldof was moved by the plight of starving children that he decided to try to raise money using his contacts in pop music • Called musicians and convinced them to give their time free
His criterion for selection was how famous they were • Why? • To maximize the sales of the record
Recording studio came Band Aid no more than 24 hours to record and mix the record • November 25, 1984
Record released on November 29, 1984 • Straight to Number 1 on UK singles chart • Became the fastest selling single of all time in the UK, selling a million copies in the first week
Band Aid ensemble • U2, The Who, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, Duran Duran, Kiss, Bananrama, Shalamar, Kool & the Gang, Culture Club (Boy George), David Bowie (contributed a recording that was dubbed), Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Sting, Paul McCartney, Big Country, George Michael
Musicians • John Taylor (Duran Duran)- bass • Phil Collins (Genesis)- drums • Midge Ure (Ultravox)- keyboards • Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)- guitar • Jon Moss (Culture Club)- Percussion/bells • Tears for Fears- Drum samples
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITOuT5gMP-w • (Part I documentary) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9JzNjIgFfQ • (Part II documentary) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZRylAAn8GU • (Part III documentary)
