@commonchordusa: January 28, 1985. The night of the American Music Awards. While the rest of Hollywood celebrated, 46 of the biggest names in music gathered at A&M Studios in Los Angeles for a session that would go down in history. A sign taped to the door read: "Check your ego at the door." The idea started with Harry Belafonte, who was inspired by Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" He called Lionel Richie at 3 AM, and the movement was born. Mega-agent Ken Kragen organized the logistics, planning the session for AMA night so everyone would be in town. Quincy Jones was brought in to produce—the "master orchestrator" who had the respect of every musician on the planet. Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the song at the Jackson family home in Encino. Jackson's sister La Toya recalled: "I'd go into the room while they were writing and it would be very quiet, which is odd, since Michael's usually very cheery when he works. It was very emotional for them." They finished the lyrics the night before the session. 46 artists participated, including: Lionel Richie Stevie Wonder Paul Simon Kenny Rogers James Ingram Tina Turner Billy Joel Michael Jackson Diana Ross Dionne Warwick Willie Nelson Al Jarreau Bruce Springsteen Kenny Loggins Steve Perry Daryl Hall Huey Lewis Cyndi Lauper Kim Carnes Bob Dylan Ray Charles Dan Aykroyd Harry Belafonte Lindsey Buckingham The Pointer Sisters Smokey Robinson Bette Midler John Oates Jeffrey Osborne Jackie Jackson La Toya Jackson Marlon Jackson Randy Jackson Tito Jackson Waylon Jennings Sheila E. Bob Geldof And dozens more... Phil Collins played bongos. Louis Johnson (Michael Jackson's bassist) laid down the groove. A 50-piece choir? No—just 46 voices, singing as one. The drama was real. Prince didn't show (he later donated a separate track). Cyndi Lauper almost backed out, her boyfriend doubting the song would be a hit. Bob Dylan looked visibly uncomfortable until Stevie Wonder sat at the piano and imitated his voice to calm him down. Waylon Jennings walked out when Wonder suggested singing in Swahili. Huey Lewis stepped up for a solo when Prince didn't arrive. The session lasted until 8 AM. When it was over, Diana Ross was in tears. Quincy asked, "Diana, are you OK?" She replied: "I don't want this to be over." The song raised over $80 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States. It sold 20 million copies—the 8th best-selling single of all time. It won four Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It was certified Quadruple Platinum, the first single ever to achieve that. In 2024, the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop captured the magic for a new generation. This image is that night. 46 voices. One world. One song. Follow @CommonChordUSA for the moments when music changed the world. #FYP #viral2026 #WeAreTheWorld #USAforAfrica #CommonChordUSA Sound: USA for Africa - We Are the World

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Tuesday 03 March 2026 02:09:18 GMT