These 10 Charity Concerts Raised Funds for a Cause

Concerts That Made a Difference

Rock stars often step up in the face of disasters, providing not only financial aid but also memorable collaborations and interpretations of well-known songs. "Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America" exemplifies this, raising funds for a United Way initiative and featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Pharrell Williams, and more. Here's a look at 10 concerts that have paved the way for impactful initiatives in times of crisis.

1. The Festival for Peace (1970)

Peter Yarrow, a member of Peter, Paul & Mary, played a key role in orchestrating a successful benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in February 1970, raising funds for political candidates opposing the Vietnam War. He, along with his collaborators, aimed for an even grander event at Shea Stadium on August 6, 1970, marking the 25th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima. Despite occasional setbacks, such as the disruption of plane noise from nearby JFK Airport and a less-than-enthusiastic audience booing Paul Simon, the lineup featured iconic artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, Miles Davis, and Janis Joplin in one of her final performances. Unfortunately, the speculated duet between Janis Joplin and Dionne Warwick on "What the World Needs Now Is Love" was not recorded or filmed, leaving it to our imagination.

2. Concert for Bangladesh (1971)

With over 7 million Bengalis having fled to India due to the genocidal war for independence, Ravi Shankar proposed a benefit concert idea to George Harrison. Harrison organized an unprecedented event at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971, marking the first rock fundraiser on such a scale. Shankar performed traditional Indian music, and Harrison led a supergroup with Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and a struggling Eric Clapton. Bob Dylan joined last minute. The concert raised $250,000 for UNICEF, and subsequent album sales contributed more. Harrison reflected, "What we did show was that musicians and people are more humane than politicians."

3. LiveAid (1985) and Live 8 (2005)

The dawn of the all-star charity concert era unfolded on July 13, 1985, when British rockers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, known for their "Do They Know It's Christmas?" single, organized full-day events at London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. These concerts, televised live to almost two billion people globally, featured a diverse lineup from Duran Duran and Madonna to legends like Bob Dylan and a reunited Led Zeppelin. Almost 20 years later, on July 2, 2005, Geldof orchestrated Live 8, a less groundbreaking but even more ambitious series of concerts held in nine countries.

4. Tibetan Freedom Concert (1996-2012)

Studying Buddhism in Nepal during the early Nineties, Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys became aware of the Tibetan people's quiet struggle for independence against the oppressive Chinese government. Yauch and his fellow Beasties mobilized artists who shared their concerns, organizing a concert in San Francisco featuring acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Björk, Smashing Pumpkins, Cibo Matto, Rage Against the Machine, and De La Soul. The Tibetan Freedom concerts continued for six subsequent years, with the most recent in 2012 and the most ambitious in 1999, hosting shows on the same day in Wisconsin, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Sydney. Iconic bands like U2, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and the Foo Fighters used these events as a platform to bring attention to the cause of Tibetan freedom that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

5. Farm Aid (1985-Present)

"Wouldn't it be great if we did something for our own farmers right here in America?" Bob Dylan posed this question at Live Aid, causing some annoyance to Bob Geldof. In response, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young organized Farm Aid in 1985, a fundraiser for U.S. family farmers held in Champaign, Illinois. The event featured performances by Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. Since 1992, Farm Aid concerts have been held annually, with a total of 28 to date. The organization not only provides a disaster relief fund for family farmers but has also effectively lobbied Congress on their behalf.

6. America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001)/The Concert for New York (2001)

In the tumultuous aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, two significant musical events played a vital role in helping the United States grieve and honor its heroes. On September 21, the four major U.S. television networks broadcast America: A Tribute to Heroes, a benefit concert featuring memorable performances like Bruce Springsteen's poignant rendition of "My City of Ruins" and Neil Young's reflective interpretation of "Imagine." Additionally, Willie Nelson delivered a beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful." Later, on October 20, Paul McCartney organized the energetic Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden, dedicated to honoring the first responders, particularly police and firefighters. The Who delivered a powerful performance, and McCartney himself concluded the night emotionally with a set that included "Yesterday," "Let It Be," and a new song, "Freedom."

7. Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope (2005)

In December 2004, a devastating earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered the third-largest recorded tsunami, resulting in the tragic loss of 230,000 lives across 14 countries. Responding to this catastrophe, an all-star benefit, inspired by America: A Tribute to Heroes, aired in early January. Hosted by George Clooney and featuring appearances by former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the telecast was rich in celebrity participation. However, the main attraction was the music, with performances by Elton John, Annie Lennox, Sheryl Crow, Madonna (delivering her rendition of "Imagine"), and a notable collaboration between Roger Waters and Eric Clapton on "Wish You Were Here."

8. A Concert for Hurricane Relief (2005)

A memorable moment from A Concert for Hurricane Relief in September 2005 was Kanye West boldly declaring, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," leaving Mike Myers visibly surprised. Despite this incident, the benefit concert showcased excellent performances by New Orleans natives Aaron Neville, Wynton Marsalis, and event organizer Harry Connick, Jr. The subsequent program, Shelter from the Storm, aired a week later, focusing more on music. Highlights included a poignant collaboration between Mary J. Blige and U2 on "One" and a historical perspective from Randy Newman with "Louisiana 1927," reflecting on a similar flood nearly 80 years prior.

9. Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief (2010)

In January 2010, Wyclef Jean hosted a telethon to aid Haiti, devastated by a powerful earthquake that claimed over 200,000 lives. The event featured performances in both Los Angeles and New York, along with reporting directly from Haiti. Notably, the evening included renditions of pre-rock classics, such as Mary J. Blige and the Roots performing Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More," John Legend singing "Motherless Child," and Bruce Springsteen playing "We Shall Overcome." The standout moment, however, was the debut of Rihanna's powerful new song, "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)," performed in London alongside Jay-Z, Bono, and the Edge.

10. 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief (2012)

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the eastern seaboard of the United States, causing a staggering $60 billion in damages. Two months later, on December 12, a star-studded benefit took place at Madison Square Garden. This widely broadcasted event aimed to raise funds for the storm's victims in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The lineup boasted an impressive array of talent, including Bruce Springsteen, the Who, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, Chris Martin, Michael Stipe, Kanye West, and Eddie Vedder. The memorable closing act featured a rocking performance by Paul McCartney, joined onstage by the surviving members of Nirvana.