SET OF PHOTOS FEATURING GEORGE, JOHN AND YOKO ONO AHEAD OF THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH FOR SALE

Candid photographs of George, John and Yoko Ono at landmark Bangladesh benefit gig to fetch thousands

• Photographs show the two former Beatles relaxing and chatting during rehearsals for the Concert for Bangladesh a year after the band split up
• Soon to be exhibited at Sotheby's in New York, the candid photos are expected to go for thousands when put under the hammer
• Concert for Bangladesh is estimated to have raised about $12 million for UNICEF, despite Lennon never taking the stage after a row with Ono

A set of candid photographs featuring George, John and Yoko Ono ahead of the Concert for Bangladesh have emerged for sale and are expected to sell for thousands at auction.

In the photographs, the former Beatles appear to be on good terms despite the Fab Four splitting up a year before the landmark benefit gig in 1971.

Sotheby's are placing the set of photographs, soon to be exhibited in New York, under the hammer at the A Rock N Roll History: From Presley to Punk auction on June 24.

George, John and Yoko Ono pictured in 1971, before the Concert for Bangladesh gig which netted about $12 million for UNICEF. The two Beatles' friendship waned just days before the concert

John, centre, accepted George's demand that Yoko Ono was not allowed to perform. But the couple had an argument days before the gig and John left New York so he did not appear on stage

The photographs show John smiling and joking around and Yoko Ono engaged in conversation with a frosty looking Harrison.

The late John asked all his former bandmates to perform and it would have been the first time the group would have appeared on stage together in the U.S. since 1966.

Ringo and John agreed but Paul refused due to a rift over the legal problems the Beatles split had caused.

But just days before the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in New York George and John´s friendship waned because of a row over Yoko Ono performing on the bill with Lennon.

Lennon, who was shot dead in New York by deranged fan Mark Chapman in 1980, accepted George’s demand that Yoko Ono was not allowed to perform.

But Lennon and Ono had an argument days before the gig and Lennon left New York so he did not appear on stage.

It is believed the photographs were taken during rehearsals for the concert, which featured an all-star line-up including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Badfinger.

John seen clowning around for the camera ahead of the gig.

Never-before-seen footage from 1964 tour:

Concert for Bangladesh was organised by George after his friend and mentor Ravi Shankar asked him to help raise money for the poverty-stricken country.

It is estimated that George’s brainchild raised around $12million for UNICEF in total and 40,000 people attended the live show.