On This Day, Jan 28, 1985…
An all-star lineup of musicians came together in a studio in Los Angeles to record the charity single “We Are the World.”
The tune, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, featured artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Steve Perry and more.
Released in March 1985, “We Are the World” raised more than $63 million for a newly formed organization called United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa) to help with the famine crisis in the region.
The song, produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for a month. It went on to become the first single to be certified multi-Platinum, earning a four-time Platinum certification by the RIAA.
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