This Colossal Concert With George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton Today In 1971

John Lennon agreed to take part in the concert, however, Harrison stipulated that Lennon’s wife Yoko could not perform with him. Lennon agreed, but left New York two days before the event following an argument with Ono regarding his and Harrison’s agreement, so that was the end of that.

Paul McCartney declined because of bad feelings caused by The Beatles’ legal problems on their breakup. McCartney told Rolling Stone years later, “George came up and asked if I wanted to play Bangladesh and I thought, blimey, what’s the point? We’re just broken up and we’re joining up again? It just seemed a bit crazy”. Ringo Starr did, however, appear.

At the press launch for the event, the former Beatle was asked by a reporter, “Why Bangladesh?” Harrison replied, “Because I was asked by a friend if I would help, you know, that’s all”. His friend was Indian musician Ravi Shankar (who surprised us all a few years back when we discovered he was the father of the very talented Norah Jones).