On this day (January 28). The year was 1985. Quincy Jones sent out invitations to dozens of artists to participate in the recording of "We are the World", a charity single for relief efforts in Ethiopia. Written by the King of Pop Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian.
Harry Belafonte, the brainchild of this event after the success of Do They Know It's Christmas?, enlists Ken Kragen who would go on to become President of USA for Africa Foundation. To make this vision come to reality, Ken asked Quincy to produce, then Quincy enlists Michael & Lionel to write the song. It was recorded at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, as artists responded to Quincy's invitation and begun recording. Among the artists who collaborated on this hit single were Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, 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.
Five weeks later, their album was in stores and on the airwaves. It became a worldwide commercial success. It became certified multi-platinum, then a Quadruple Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0. The 80s charity hit single was used again featuring old, and the new generation of artists. The proceeds were given to the survivors in Haiti.
Sources:
Lead Image from https://ultimateclassicrock.com/we-are-the-world/
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/usa-for-africa/we-are-the-world