Revisiting George Harrison's stripped-back version of 'Here Comes The Sun' at 'The Concert for ...
In 1971, the state of East Pakistan was in turmoil as it sought independence to become the nation of Bangladesh during the Liberation War. It was a conflict that the world was largely unaware of until George Harrison made it a global talking point.
The former Beatles man learned about the issue over dinner from his close friend, Ravi Shankar, who initially was planning to raise $25,000 dollars to help the Bangladeshi cause. But after getting Harrison on side, his modest plans quickly grew into something rather extraordinary.
Their two very specially curated Concert For Bangladesh shows on August 1st, 1971, would go on and set a precedent for benefit gigs forever. The star-studded day would see the likes of Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Badfinger and Ringo Starr all take to the stage to unite for a cause bigger than themselves.
Source: Joe Taysom/faroutmagazine.co.uk
