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A benefit concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. A concert is a live Performance, usually of Music, before an Audience. The definition of charitable organization, and of charity varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organization operates A humanitarian crisis (or "humanitarian disaster" is an event or series of events which represents a critical threat to the health safety security or wellbeing of a community Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at issue.

Benefit concerts typically feature popular performers working for little or no pay. The largest such effort in recent memory was the multi-venue Live 8 concert organized in 2005 by Bob Geldof and Bono,and the Live Earth concerts organized by Al Gore and Kevin Wall on /07/07/07 who have been involved in several other similar events. Live 8 was a string of Benefit concerts that took place on 2 July, 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, KBE, known as Bob Geldof (born 5 October 1951, is an Irish singer [1] [2] Benefit concerts were also arranged following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Hurricane Katrina. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea Earthquake that occurred at 005853 UTC on December 26 2004 with an Epicentre off the west coast of Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States

There are various ways by which additional revenue and awareness for the charitable cause is raised - over and beyond the original event. These methods have included theatrically-released concert films, live television, radio and internet broadcasts, audio recordings and home video releases of performances.

The importance of the cause can lead musicians to temporarily set aside disagreements that had led to estrangements. Examples of this include the one-time reunion of Roger Waters with Pink Floyd for their 2005 Live 8 performance; and the first post-break-up reunion of Simon and Garfunkel at a 1972 concert in support of presidential candidate George McGovern. George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943 in Great Bookham, Surrey) is an English rock musician Pink Floyd are Simon & Garfunkel are an American Singer-songwriter duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. George Stanley McGovern

There have been benefit concerts dating back to the eighteenth century, a notable example is the one held on December 28th, 1791 for the benefit of Mozart's family after his tragic death on the 5th of the month. Many prominent musicians of the day attended and performed his works.

Notable benefit concerts

June 16 to June 18, 1967. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The Monterey Pop Festival was a benefit concert to raise money for the MIPF Foundation, and took place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. The Monterey International Pop Music Festival was a three-day concert event held June 16 to June 18 1967 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey Performers included: The Animals, Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, Otis Redding, Ravi Shankar, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Who. The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s known in the United States as part of the British Invasion. Simon & Garfunkel are an American Singer-songwriter duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. The Byrds were a popular American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964 Otis Ray Redding Jr ( September 9, 1941 December 10, 1967) was an American soul singer Pandit Ravi Shankar ( রবি শংকর Devanagari: रविशंकर "Pandit" ( Sanskrit, "learned" is honorific born April "The Experience" redirects here For other uses of this term see Experience (disambiguation. The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend
August 1, 1971. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The Concert for Bangladesh took place at Madison Square Garden, New York. The Concert For Bangladesh was the event title for two Benefit concerts organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at noon and at 700 p Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Conceived and produced by George Harrison. George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Performers included: George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell. George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Pandit Ravi Shankar ( রবি শংকর Devanagari: रविशंकर "Pandit" ( Sanskrit, "learned" is honorific born April Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor William Everett Preston ( September 2 1946 – June 6 2006) was an American Soul musician from Houston Texas, Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2 1942 in Lawton Oklahoma, United States) is a Singer, Songwriter
April 1-April 3, 1976. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Amnesty International staged the first in what became its long-running Secret Policeman's Ball series of events raising funds for - and awareness of - the human rights issue. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to This article is about the entire series of Secret Policeman's Ball benefit shows for Amnesty International (1976-2008 For the original 1979 show that gave The show titled A Poke in the Eye was staged at Her Majesty's Theatre in London over three consecutive nights. Pleasure At Her Majesty's was the name given to the filmed release of A Poke In The Eye (With A Sharp Stick, the first of the Amnesty International London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. It was primarily a comedy gala starring Monty Python, Peter Cook, Beyond The Fringe and others. Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) is the collective name of the six creators of Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British Television Peter Edward Cook (17 November 1937 &ndash 9 January 1995 was an English Satirist, Writer and Comedian. Beyond the Fringe was a British Comedy stage revue written and performed by Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett Produced by John Cleese and Martin Lewis. John Marwood Cleese (ˈkliːz born 27 October, 1939) is a British Actor, Comedian, Writer, Film producer This article is about Martin Lewis - the British-born humorist/writer/producer/TV and radio host
January 9, 1979 - The A Gift of Song: The Music for UNICEF Concert was held at the United Nations General Assembly and broadcast worldwide to raise money for UNICEF and mark the International Year of the Child. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) The Music for UNICEF Concert A Gift of Song was a Benefit concert of Popular music held in the United Nations General Assembly in Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members The United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946 UNESCO proclaimed 1979 as the International Year of the Child. Performers included ABBA, Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Olivia Newton-John, John Denver, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer. The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Andy Gibb ( Manchester, 5 March 1958 – Oxford, 10 March 1988 was an English Singer and Teen idol, and the youngest brother Olivia Newton-John, AO, OBE (born September 26 1948) is a Grammy Award -winning and Golden Globe -nominated English-born John Denver (December 31 1943 &ndash October 12 1997 born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr Earth Wind & Fire is an African - American Funk band led by Maurice White that achieved worldwide success in the 1970s Rita Coolidge (born May 1, 1945, in Lafayette Tennessee) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer Roderick "Rod" David Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945 is a Singer and Songwriter born and raised in London England and currently Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines December 31, 1948) is an American Singer-songwriter and Musician who gained The concert was the idea of impresario Robert Stigwood, the Bee Gees, and David Frost. Robert Stigwood (born April 16, 1934 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian -born Impresario and entertainment entrepreneur The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE (born 7 April 1939) is an English Satirist and Television presenter, famed as both a
June 27-June 30, 1979 - Amnesty International staged the third of its Secret Policeman's Ball benefits. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to This article is about the entire series of Secret Policeman's Ball benefit shows for Amnesty International (1976-2008 For the original 1979 show that gave The show titled The Secret Policeman's Ball was staged in London over four consecutive nights. In addition to the usual comedic performers from Monty Python, producer Martin Lewis secured musical performances from Pete Townshend and Tom Robinson. Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) is the collective name of the six creators of Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British Television This article is about Martin Lewis - the British-born humorist/writer/producer/TV and radio host Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born 19 May 1945 in Chiswick, London) is an English rock Guitarist, Singer, Tom Robinson (born June 1, 1950, in Cambridge) is an English singer/ Songwriter and broadcaster probably best-known
September, 1979 The No Nukes concerts in New York
December 26-December 29, 1979 - The Concerts for Kampuchea were held at the Hammersmith Odeon, benefitting the citizens of Cambodia who were victims of the tyrannical reign of dictator Pol Pot. Events in September It is the start of the academic year in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Musicians United for Safe Energy, or MUSE, was an Activist group founded in 1979 by Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Concerts for the People of Kampuchea was a series of concerts featuring Queen, The Clash, The Pretenders, The Who, Elvis Costello, The Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainments and concert venue located in Hammersmith, London, England. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East Saloth Sar ( May 19, 1925 – April 15, 1998) also known as Pol Pot, was leader of the Communist movement known as
September 9-September 12, 1981 - Amnesty International staged the fourth of its Secret Policeman's Ball benefits. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to This article is about the entire series of Secret Policeman's Ball benefit shows for Amnesty International (1976-2008 For the original 1979 show that gave The show titled The Secret Policeman's Other Ball was staged in London over four consecutive nights. * This article is about the 1981 Amnesty International benefit show (and resulting movies and albums &mdash the sequel to the original 1979 show This show expanded on its 1979 predecessor with appearances by multiple rock musicians including Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Phil Collins, Donovan and the first-ever benefit concert appearance by a young rock musician named Bob Geldof. STING ( S equence T o and with' IN' G raphics is a free Web-based suite of programs for a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between protein sequence Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck (born June 24, 1944 to Arnold and Ethel Beck in Wallington, England) is an English Philip David Charles Collins, LVO (born 30 January 1951 Chiswick, London) is an English Singer-songwriter, Drummer Donovan ( Donovan Phillips Leitch, born 10 May 1946 in Glasgow) is a Scottish Singer-songwriter and guitarist Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, KBE, known as Bob Geldof (born 5 October 1951, is an Irish singer
John Fekner Nuke Freeze Stencil and photograph at Central Park rally, June 12th, 1982, NYC. by John Fekner. Estate of John Fekner © 1982-2007.
John Fekner Nuke Freeze Stencil and photograph at Central Park rally, June 12th, 1982, NYC. John Fekner (b NYC) is a street and Multimedia artist who in the 1970s created hundreds of environmental and conceptual outdoor works consisting by John Fekner. Estate of John Fekner © 1982-2007.
June 12, 1982 - In NYC, 750,000 people marched from the UN to Central Park to protest nuclear weapons — in what was probably the largest single protest in U. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) S. history. New York City was shut down for the day. The concert featured Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, etc. Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is a German -born American rock Singer-songwriter and Musician. Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety Graffiti artist Keith Haring creates poster for the event and is handed out free to the audience. Keith Haring ( May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990) was an artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City
July 13, 1985 - The Live Aid benefit concerts - conceived and organized by Bob Geldof - took place in London and Philadelphia. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Live Aid was a multi-venue rock music concert held on. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, KBE, known as Bob Geldof (born 5 October 1951, is an Irish singer London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Similar concerts were held in Sydney and Moscow. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of
September 22, 1985 - The first Farm Aid concert, organized by Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp to raise money for family farmers in the United States, was held in Champaign, Illinois. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Farm Aid started as a Benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign Illinois, held to raise money for Family farmers in the Willie Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country Singer-songwriter and Actor. John Mellencamp, previously known as John Cougar and then John Cougar Mellencamp, (born October 7, 1951, in Seymour Indiana) is a A farmer is a person who raises living organisms for food or raw materials The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. There have been 19 Farm Aid concerts as of 2007.
May 17, 1986 - The Self Aid concert held in Dublin, Ireland aimed to highlight the chronic unemployment problem in Ireland at the time. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Self Aid was a Benefit concert held in Dublin, Ireland on 17 May 1986. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Performers at the event included U2, Van Morrison and The Pogues. George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born 31 August 1945 is a Grammy Award -winning Northern Irish Singer, The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background playing Traditional Irish music with influences from Punk rock, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane
June 4-June 15, 1986 The Conspiracy of Hope US tour of 6 rock concerts for Amnesty International
September 2- October 15, 1988 The Human Rights Now! World tour of rock concerts for Amnesty International
September 21, 2001 America: A Tribute to Heroes was a telethon in the style of a benefit concert organized in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon by the four major United States television networks. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) A Conspiracy of Hope was a short tour of six Benefit concerts on behalf of Amnesty International that took place in the United States during June 1986 Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Human Rights Now! was a worldwide tour of twenty Benefit concerts on behalf of Amnesty International that took place over six weeks in 1988 Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. America A Tribute to Heroes was a Benefit concert organized by actor George Clooney and broadcast The World Trade Center in New York City, United States (sometimes informally the WTC or Twin Towers) was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan The Pentagon is the Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic
October 20, 2001 The Concert for New York City was a benefit concert organized as a tribute to the heroes and survivors of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Concert for New York City was a Benefit concert, featuring many famous musicians that took place on October 20, 2001 at Madison Square Garden New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous It was initiated by Paul McCartney and produced by a team including Harvey Weinstein and Jann Wenner
July 30, 2003, 450,000 spectators saw The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, The Guess Who, and others at the largest concert in Canadian history, the The SARS Benefit Concert concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, held to prove that the city was safe from SARS. Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, Harvey Weinstein, CBE (Hon (born March 19, 1952) is an American Film producer and movie studio chairman Jann Simon Wenner (born January 7, 1946, in New York City) is the co-founder and publisher of the music and politics biweekly Rolling Stone Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. AC/DC are an Australian Hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The Guess Who is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg Manitoba, that was one of the first to establish a major successful following in their own country Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto was a benefit rock concert that was held in Toronto Ontario, Canada on July 30, 2003. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page
July 2, 2005 - Bob Geldof and Bono organised Live 8, a set of 8 concerts held in 8 cities around the world on the same day - as part of a campaign to persuade the G8 member governments to increase their fight to eradicate poverty in third-world countries. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, KBE, known as Bob Geldof (born 5 October 1951, is an Irish singer Live 8 was a string of Benefit concerts that took place on 2 July, 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa.
July 7, 2007 - Al Gore inspired and helped organize Live Earth, a series of concerts held on all 7 continents of the planet on the same day - as part of a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about Global Warming and the need for environmental protection. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Albert Arnold Gore Jr (born March 31 1948 is an American environmental Activist, author Businessperson, former Politician, and former Live Earth is an annual event developed to to combat climate change.

Parodies and other references

Like other notable cultural phenomena, benefit concerts have been the subject of parody. For example, a South Park episode, Chef Aid, features a concert held for the benefit of the character Chef, featuring performances by Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, and Meat Loaf. South Park is an animated American television comedy series created and written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Comedy Central For the album based on the episode see Chef Aid The South Park Album " Chef Aid " is the 27th episode of Comedy Central 's Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English pop / rock Singer, Composer John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born December 3 1948) is a British singer Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27 1947 better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, is an American rock Musician

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