January 28, 1985
The all-star band USA For Africa, inspired by the UK effort Band Aid and organized by singer Harry Belafonte with the help of businessman Ken Kragen, record the Ethiopian benefit song “We Are the World”, written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. Artists included Belafonte, Jackson and Richie, Ray Charles, Lindsay Buckingham, Dan Ackroyd, James Ingram, Kim Carnes, Sheila E., Jackie, LaToya, Marlon, Randy and Tito Jackson, Darryl Hall, John Oates, Bob Dylan, Al Jarreau, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Tina Turner, Huey Lewis and the News, Willie Nelson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Billy Joel, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, Steve Perry, Dionne Warwick, the Pointer Sisters, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Geldof. It was produced by Quincy Jones.
