On July 31, George Harrison played host at a rock'n'roll benefit held in New York's Madison Square Garden -- The Concert for Bangla Desh. The production, filmed for theatrical release, was also issued as a three-record box set, complete with a souvenir booklet (the LP package later won a Grammy Award). Among the stars who stopped by to perform that night were Billy Preston, Badfinger, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton. The concert sold twenty thousand tickets in two hours, and raised more than $4.5 million for that impoverished Asian country. Harrison added to that total by starting the Material World Charitable Foundation, and, as the first contributor, pledged all the .

The new sounds of the seventies were taking shape, growing and developing each day. In January, "Your Song" became the first Top 10 hit for Elton John, while in February, Gordon Lightfoot emerged with "If You Could Read My Mind." In April, "Another Day" kicked off the solo career of Paul McCartney, who went on to form Wings in August. That same month, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" introduced John Denver; we first heard of Olivia Newton-John via "If Not For You;" and a California band got together as the Eagles. Other groups that formed in 1971 include Supertramp, Foghat, Kansas, and Queen.

On Saturday, January 9, the U.S. Jaycees present "10 outstanding young men in America" award to Elvis Presley.
Alice Cooper emerges as leader of theatrical "shock rock." Rock'n'roll begins to splinter into many styles like "Latin rock," "jazz rock," and "religious rock,".
Producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and arranger Thom Bell develop the "Philly sound" and rival Detroit's Motown.
The Beatles officially confirm break-up rumor.
The Rolling Stones release "Brown Sugar" as their first single on Rolling Stones Records. It hits number one.
On Sunday June 27, Bill Graham closes the Fillmore East in NY.
Rod Stewart, after leaving the Faces, has first #1 single with "Maggie May".
Michael Jackson, age 13, has first solo hit with "Got To Be There."
In November, Don McLean releases "American Pie," which catapults him to worldwide fame. "American Pie" is one of the largest sellers of the seventies and at over 8 minutes in length, the longest number one hit in the history of rock'n'roll.
Simon & Garfunkel announce that they are separating.

1. "Joy To The World" - Three Dog Night
2. "It's Too Late" - Carole King
3. "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart" - Bee Gees
4. "Indian Reservation" - The Raiders
5. "One Bad Apple" - The Osmonds
6. "Go Away Little Girl" - Donny Osmond
7. "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" - The Temptations
8. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver
9. "Maggie May" - Rod Stewart
10. "Knock Three Times" - Tony Orlando & Dawn