In 1985, Michael Jackson helped create one of the most iconic charity songs in music history when he teamed up with Lionel Richie to write “We Are the World,” a massive collaboration created to raise money for famine relief in Africa.
Organized by legendary producer Quincy Jones, the project brought together more than 40 of the biggest artists on Earth under the name USA for Africa. The song was famously recorded in a single night at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, with stars like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, and many others all stepping into the same studio to contribute vocals. The session itself became almost as legendary as the song.
“We Are the World” quickly turned into a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions of copies and raising over $60 million for humanitarian aid. Michael Jackson’s songwriting and emotional vocals became a huge part of what made the record resonate globally, further cementing his legacy not just as the “King of Pop,” but as an artist who used his platform to bring attention to real-world issues far beyond music. 🎤🌍
In 1985, Michael Jackson helped create one of the most iconic charity songs in music history when he teamed up with Lionel Richie to write “We Are the World,” a massive collaboration created to raise money for famine relief in Africa.
Organized by legendary producer Quincy Jones, the project brought together more than 40 of the biggest artists on Earth under the name USA for Africa. The song was famously recorded in a single night at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, with stars like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, and many others all stepping into the same studio to contribute vocals. The session itself became almost as legendary as the song.
“We Are the World” quickly turned into a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions of copies and raising over $60 million for humanitarian aid. Michael Jackson’s songwriting and emotional vocals became a huge part of what made the record resonate globally, further cementing his legacy not just as the “King of Pop,” but as an artist who used his platform to bring attention to real-world issues far beyond music. 🎤🌍
