FAQ

What is the Concert for Bangladesh?
In 1971, the pioneering former Beatle, hearing Ravi Shankar's distress, used his fame and the power of music to organize the Concert for Bangladesh.  At that time, the country was ravaged by floods, famine and civil war, which left 10 million people — mostly women and children — fleeing their homes.

Harrison set the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher cause.  The Concert for Bangladesh was one of the most ambitious humanitarian efforts in rock music history.  It produced an extraordinary contribution for UNICEF, exceeding $15 million.  Perhaps more importantly, the concert focused global attention on the crisis in Bangladesh and raised the consciousness of other musicians and millions of their young fans to a new awareness of UNICEF and its role in the developing world.

Why is this concert so historically famous?
It is the first All-Star concert to raise awareness for relief efforts. It took place in Madison Square Garden. The same songs will be featured in the Austin version of this concert. Shankar opened the concert with a 17-minute recital of Indian music (Bangla Dhun). Eric Clapton made his first public appearance since the end of the five-month Derek and the Dominos tour the previous December. Clapton was still in the grip of a heroin addiction, and had been unable to attend any rehearsals until the final soundcheck. Musical help was also on hand from Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann and Badfinger (along with Jim Horn, Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organized by Don Nix). Bob Dylan made his first stage appearance since the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969. Apart from sitting in for a few numbers with The Band on New Year 1972 and an unannounced appearance backing John Prine on harmonica at a Greenwich Village club, he did not play live again until January 1974.

Who will be performing?
The tribute is the brainchild of Austin performers Darin Murphy and Paul Minor, who produced a smaller version of the show at the Hole In The Wall on the last night of SXSW ‘06. Murphy, who wowed Broadway audiences last year in the musical LENNON, heads up a more-than-a-dozen-piece band of musicians and singers who will perform the legendary concert in its entirety, as it ran originally at Madison Square Garden.  Several Austin favorites are scheduled to make guest appearances, including Sara Hickman, Trish Murphy, Miles Zuniga, Spencer Gibb, Michael Fracasso, Beaver Nelson, Matt The Electrician, Gary Clark, Jr., the Weary Boys’ Mario Matteoli, the Real Heroes’ Save Hotchkiss, Nakia, Will Sexton, Oliver Rajamani and Matt Hubbard.  The backing band also reads as a who’s who of stage performers.  It features members of The Small Stars, The K-Tel Hit Machine, 54 Seconds, Gnappy and Sheboygan.

Who are the organizers behind the concert in Austin?
TBCA- Texas Bengali Culture Alliance
KGSR Radio Station
Local Austin musicians Darin Murphy and Paul Minor
UNICEF USA

Where is Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is a small and fairly new country in South Asia. Please click here for more information.

What is UNICEF?
UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund.  UNICEF began in the aftermath of World War II as a tiny operation supplying starving girls and boys in Europe, the Middle East and China with dried milk and nutritional supplements. Today it works for the survival, protection, and development of children in 155 countries and territories around the world. In cooperation with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UNICEF helps develop community-based programs to promote health and immunization programs, basic education, nutrition, safe water supply and sanitation services, and continues to provide emergency relief as needed.

How can I get tickets?
Tickets are $10 ahead thru frontgatetickets.com and $12 at the door. Please remember that all proceeds go to the George Harrison Fund for Unicef so let all your friends know! If you would like to donate more, please feel free. Your money is in honest and helpful hands with Unicef.