USA for Africa

Song sung by supergoup USA for Africa in 1985

Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie

Produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian

Sales are over 20 million copies

One of fewer than 30 singles to have sold more than 10 millions copies world wide

After “Do They Know It’s Christmas” Harry Belafonte came up with idea for a benefit single also for African famine relief

Historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time

Recorded January 28, 1985Released on March 7, 1985

Topped music charts around the world

Fastest selling American pop single in history

Fans enjoyed hearing racially and musically diverse recording artists singing together on one track

Won Grammy Awards, American Music Award, and a People’s Choice Award

Music video, home video, special edition magazine, books, posters, shirts

Raised over $63 million from promotional items

Harry Belefonte wanted to have money raised by United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa)

He also wanted to set aside money to help eliminate hunger in the U.S. also

They started with Kenny Rogers and Lionel Ritchie on the list of artists

Added Stevie Wonder for more “name value”

Richie contacted Michael Jackson- Jackson had just released Thriller

Jackson said he wanted to work on writing the song as well as singing

It was top secret that they were going to record the song- they could not let the location out or else the artists would not have participated

Night of the American Music Award ceremony

45 of America’s top musicians participated

50 artists had to be turned away

Sign posted: Please check your egos at the door

Stevie Wonder greeted everyone and told them that if it was not recorded in one take that he and Ray Charles would drive everyone home

They changed a part of the lyrics after several hours of recording- and at that point Waylon Jennings left the studio

The lyrics were changed to a line in Swahili and he said no “good ole boy” every sang in Swahili

Recording started around 10:30 pm and finished around 8 am

Opens with Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, and Billy Joel singing the first verse

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross sang together next

Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau sang second verse

Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall sing second chorus

Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes next

Bob Dylan and Ray Charles sang a full chorus

Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen sang a duet

Ray Charles and James Ingram adlib at times

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, Mario Cipollina, Johnny Colla, Sheila E, Bob Geldof, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, John Oates, Jeffrey Osborne, Anita Pointer, June Pointer, Ruth Pointer, Smokey Robinson

Record became the fastest selling American pop single in history

Became the best selling single of the year

Song became the biggest single of the 1980s

Biggest selling single in both US and pop music history

First single to be multi platinum

20 million sales of the single

Record of the YearSong of the YearBest Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

Best Music Video

Cargo jets carrying food, medicine, clothing

Stopped in New York, picked up high protein biscuits, high protein vitamines, medicine, tents, blankets, and refrigeration equipment

Harry Belafonte- visited Sudan that same month

Since its release- the song has raised over $63 million for humanitarian causes

90% of money to go to birth control, food production, African relief

10% to domestic hunger and homeless programs in the uS

Recovery and development projects were launched (agriculture, fishing, water management, manufacturing, reforestation)

Helped in Mozambique, Senegal, Chad, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Mali

Performed together at Live AidAt Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration there was a performance (1993) with Clinton, Chelsea, and Hillary all singing it with many performers (Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, etc)