Anyone who has ever attended an event at Madison Square Garden doesn’t need to be told that the iconic arena is the nation’s “coolest” venue, a title bestowed upon the Garden recently by Rolling Stone magazine.
It’s also a favorite place among the most famous of today’s musicians.
In its 134-year history, thousands of buzzworthy events have taken place at The World’s Most Famous Arena. Elvis Presley sang in his only New York City performances to what was then record-sized audiences; John Lennon made what was to be his final concert appearance on August 30, 1972, ironically as a fundraiser to benefit the mentally ill.
In 1973, Led Zeppelin played there three times, immortalizing the shows in the film “The Song Remains The Same.”
With such a storied history, the place can be intimidating.
“[I] always had sweaty palms about playing Madison Square Garden,” Mike D of the Beastie Boys told the New York Post in 2012. “Every time we came there we got chills.”
The Concert for Bangladesh
August 1, 1971
In this groundbreaking concert, major musicians joined together for the first time to raise big-time funds for a humanitarian effort. George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organized this event to raise awareness and funds for the people of Bangladesh, who were recovering from the devastating effects of a cyclone. Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr and other greats joined Harrison and Shankar for the two shows performed that day.
Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife marry 2,075 couples
July 1, 1982
The Korean businessman and evangelist and his wife, Hak Ja Han, led the mass wedding ceremony in which the men reportedly wore identical blue suits and the women wore lace and satin gowns.
The Concert for New York City
October 20, 2001
Following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Garden hosted an emotionally charged concert that raised more than $35 million for victims and their families, and honored first responders from the FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority Police. The event featured musicians, politicians and entertainers, including Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, U2, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Who, Adam Sandler, former President Bill Clinton and then-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani. At the end of the memorable performance, U2’s Bono invited dozens of first responders onstage.
From the Big Apple to the Big Easy
September 20, 2005
Soon after Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans, Madison Square Garden hosted a benefit concert for the Gulf Coast. Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Diana Krall, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, John Fogerty, Lenny Kravitz and Simon & Garfunkel, among others, performed.
The same night, Madison Square Garden presented a concert at Radio City Music Hall. The two concerts raised some $9 million for long-term relief efforts.
March 25, 2007
The singer celebrated his 60th birthday with his 60th sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. He holds the record for the greatest number of appearances at the Garden with 62 shows, soon to be 64 when he returns in December for another two performances.
12-12-12
December 12, 2012
In the largest event ever staged at the Garden, more than $50 million was raised for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Bon Jovi, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, The Who, Paul McCartney and many other artists were heard during this iconic concert.