It was Thirty years ago today, a plethora of musicians came together to record "We Are the World." The charity single, which was written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson raised money for hunger victims in Africa.

It was recorded in Hollywood after the 1985 American Music Awards, and featured a who's who of popular artists from that time. The artists recorded under the name USA for Africa.

Quincy Jones, was the producer of "We Are the World."  Quincy thought the song brought people together for the betterment of mankind.

"I don't think that night, that experience, will ever truly be duplicated again," says Jones, adding, "I know and believe in the power of music to bring people together for the betterment of mankind, and there may be no better example of this than the collective that was 'We Are the World.'"

 

Lionel and Michael get writing credit, however they were joined by the biggest names in music went it was time to record.

In addition to Richie and Jackson, the song also featured Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, and Ray Charles.

The all-star chorus included Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheila E., Bob Geldof, Bette Midler, Waylon Jennings, John Oates, Jeffrey Osborne, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, and Michael Jackson's siblings, Jackie, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Tito.

The recording session was on January 28th, 1985 at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood. The process began at 9pm and lasted twelve hours.

Following its release in March 7, 1985, "We Are the World" sold more than 20 million copies and raised more than 60 million dollars for famine relief in Africa. It went on to win three Grammy Awards.

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