The Concert For Bangladesh was held on August 1, 1971, at
Madison Square Garden in the greatest city in the world, New
York. To the youth of the time it was just another concert. But
as history goes, it may very well go down as one of the greatest
events in mankind’s.

The brains behind the concert was ex Beatle, George Harrison,
who had become very much into causes after the group split up.
In this case, the cause was the people of Bangladesh, who were
literally starving to death. The concert was put on in the hopes
of bringing some hope to a dying region of the world.

Bangladesh had a troubled history. The events leading up to this
concert are as follows.

In 1969 General Yahya Khan assumed power in Pakistan. His goal
was to put an end to end the dictatorship and start a democracy.
In December of the following year the League of Bangladesh won a
huge victory. It became the largest party in Pakistan. But Kahn
was unwilling to allow a power shift, signature guitar
, to Bangladesh. So the
results of the election were ignored and a reign of terror was
unleashed in Bangladesh to eliminate the, signature guitar
, opposition to Kahn.

It
is estimated that over 1 million people were murdered. This was
the greatest atrocity since Hitler and the Jews. The ones who
escaped to India suffered terrible starvation, among other
things. Thus, the reason for the concert.

It all started with a call that George, signature guitar
, Harrison made to Ringo
Starr, another ex Beatle. He then made another call to Leon
Russell. Both agreed to, signature guitar
, come to the East Coast, signature guitar
, for the concert.

After those calls, others were made to business managers, the
Garden itself and everyone and anyone Harrison could think of to
be of assistance.

The list of performers were as long as King Kong’s right arm. At
the top of the list was Eric Clapton, who had played with George
Harrison while with the Beatles, signature guitar
, on tunes like “While My Guitar
Gently Weeps,” which was played at the concert itself, signature guitar
, .

Another friend of Harrison’s, Billy Preston, who played on the
Beatle’s big hit “Get Back” was also there. At the concert
itself Preston played “That’s The Way God Planned It.”

A group that was up and coming at the time, Badfinger, was also
in attendance. They were supposed to be the next Beatles,
actually founded by the Beatles and also on Apple Records. At
the concert Badfinger served as a backing band and didn’t, signature guitar
, play
any of their original material.

Rounding out the all star cast was the great Bob Dylan, who sang
many tunes including his signature tune “Blowin’ In The Wind.”

The Concert for Bangladesh was not just a concert. It was an
event. One that will never be forgotten and one that hopefully
will never come again.

Source: articleage.com