40 years ago, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar took the stage in Madison Square Garden and put on an extraordinary event. The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that brought together an extraordinary group of major artists for a common humanitarian cause.  This sold out concert included artists such as Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell.

Harrison and Shankar staged two concerts to alert the world of the plight of the Bangladeshi people—victims of simultaneous floods, famine, and civil war. To pay tribute to the 40^th anniversary of the Concert, this August has been designated as the “Month of Giving.”

During this month, all donations to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will benefit UNICEF's life-saving programs for children in the Horn of Africa. UNICEF is calling the situation in the Horn the "worst humanitarian emergency in the world," as it is facing unbelievable drought and famine.

As part of the Month of Giving, musicians and performing artists across the world will engage with fans through concerts, tweeting, and posting content to their websites and Facebook pages. These artists include the original Concert for Bangladesh performers, as well as Arcade Fire, Elvis Costello, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Doors, Selena Gomez, The Go-Go's, Brian Wilson, My Morning Jacket, Nas, Jackson Browne, and more. To see a full list of participating artists, visit theconcertforbangladesh.com.

The Concert for Bangladesh album made its digital debut earlier this week on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com). In honor of the altruistic sprit that gave birth to the Concert for Bangladesh, each download will 100% benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF. 

Harrison and Shankar have shown us how music can be used to serve a higher cause.  Join us, and these amazing artists, for the Month of Giving.  You can donate here.