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Inspired by Band Aid's "Do They
Know It's Christmas?" in the UK, the American entertainer
and activist Harry Belafonte decided to organize a US
equivalent. He planned to have the proceeds donated to a new
organization, United Support of Artists for Africa. The
organization would provide food and relief aid for the
1983-1985 famine in Ethiopia, which killed about one million
people. The final night of recording was held on January 28,
1985, at A&M Studios in Hollywood with stars like Michael
Jackson, Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder,
Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Cindy Lauper and many
others. Released on March 7, 1985, the song was a massive
success, especially in the United States, where the initial
shipment of 800,000 records sold out within three days of
release, the fastest selling single there up to that time!
"We Are The World" topped the Year-End Chart 1985 with
enormous 14,665,000 points and at the 1986 Grammy Awards,
the song and its music video won four awards: Record of the
Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or
Group with Vocal and Best Music Video, Short Form. |
