If you like benefit concerts this is the granddaddy of them all.

The Concert for Bangladesh generally is considered to be the first major benefit rock 'n roll concert; a precursor to many events like Live-Aid and other modern charity events, this one showed what could be done and probably gave some good lessons in what not to do.

On August 1, 1971, two concerts were played at Madison Square Garden with an all-star cast: George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Badfinger, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Billy Preston. The total live audience for the 2 concerts was over 40,000.

An album (produced by Harrison and the legendary producer Phil Spector) was released later in 1971 and this film was in theaters by 1972.

The money raised was to go to "relieve Bangladesh" which was experiencing war and hunger. Most of the money raised actually sat in escrow for more than a decade. In the hurry to put together a concert in time to prevent more deaths in Bangladesh no one had filed for the proper paperwork for the charity event and some governments wanted their cut...Harrison and attorneys fought the idea of paying taxes out of the money meant for charity.

To date, more than 12 million dollars has been raised and today those funds are administered and distributed through the George Harrison Fund for Unicef.

Highlights of the concert feature the introduction of Bob Dylan whose appearance, after a prolonged absence from the stage, had been rumored but denied. Also, Ringo Starr, in singing his hit song "With a Little Help from My Friends" manages to forget some of the words.

Enjoy!