George Harrison’s Good Work for Bangladesh Lives on!

I can't help thinking George is smiling down from above knowing that the work he started to help ease suffering humanity hasn't ended and is still reaching so many in this troubled world.

There are lots of anniversary dates this week in classic rock history (including the Atlantic City Pop Festival-more on that tomorrow), but one of the most notable is The Concert for Bangladesh that was held on August 1, 1971 at Madison Square Garden in New York at noon and at 7pm.

George Harrison spearheaded the benefit event on behalf of his friend Ravi Shankar and the people of Bangladesh.

The benefit concerts raised awareness across the globe and funded relief efforts for refugees of the 1970 Bhola Cyclone and of the Bangladesh war.

It was the first benefit concert of that magnitude and featured performances from Harrison, Ringo, Dylan, Clapton and more.

There is no doubt that George Harrison, who cared deeply about the fate of the world, set the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher purpose.

Over $250,000 was raised by the concert alone, and as with the live album and concert documentary film that sprang from it, the sale of the 2005 DVD release of the film continues to benefit The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.