Last Updated Wed, 03 Aug 2005 15:38:23 EDT-CBC Arts
The Concert for Bangladesh, considered to be the forerunner of such musical benefits as Live Aid and SARS-stock, is being released as a DVD.
Organized by George Harrison in 1971, the event – two concerts staged on the same August day in New York's Madison Square Garden – has secured a place in history as the granddaddy of all charity shows.
The DVD will be released Oct. 25. It features performances by the likes of Bob Dylan, who at the time had become known as a recluse following his legendary motorcycle accident, and Eric Clapton, then in the grips of heroin addiction. Also pitching in are Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston.
The feature film of the concert that was released in the early 1970s will make up the majority of the DVD.There will also be a 45-minute documentary and tributes from the likes of Bob Geldof, the driving force behind this summer's Live 8 concerts and 1985's Live Aid.
Harrison, who was still getting accustomed to his status as an ex-Beatle in 1971, put the gig's all-star lineup together after talking with sitar player Ravi Shankar.
The proceeds from the concert were to be donated to UNICEF to help the emerging nation of Bangladesh, but the lion's share of the money was held up for years because of tax problems and the legal fallout that followed the breakup of the Fab Four.
The artists who were involved will donate their royalties from the new DVD to UNICEF.
Harrison began working on the DVD before his death in 2001. Credited as executive producer, Harrison's widow, Olivia, finished the task.
Among the new footage is a scene of Harrison and Dylan rehearsing, as well as Harrison, Clapton and Russell performing during a sound check.
A new two-CD album of the concert will also be released at the same time as the DVD.
