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'We Are the World' Remake Features Current Music Stars

USA for AfricaIn 1985, a one-time dream team of musicians calling themselves USA for Africa recorded the song "We Are the World" as a fundraiser for African famine relief. Written by a powerhouse pairing of Michael Jackson with Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones, the original track featured an astounding 43 superstars in addition to the songwriters. Some of the soloists included Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Diana Ross.

On Monday night, a day after this year's Grammy Awards, Jones revisited the Hollywood studio where he recorded the original, 25 years earlier, to remake the song with a new cast of stars including Bono, Carlos Santana, Wyclef Jean, Lady Gaga, Usher, Akon and Jason Mraz. This time, the beneficiary will be Haiti, with proceeds going to aid the earthquake relief efforts currently underway.

Last time, the musicians gathered at the studio after the American Music Awards. This time, it was the Grammy Awards that brought them all to Los Angeles at the same time. The original recording earned three Grammy Awards and one American Music Award. More productively, it sold more than 20 million copies and raised more than $63 million for humanitarian efforts in Africa. Organizers are hoping the new version will have similar success for Haiti. "It's true, we'll make a better day, just you and me"...and, you know, an army of superstars.

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Mpeel

I agree with Pam and Robin. What about our country? Maybe these beat, no talents should put there energy into helping people in our homeland. Who the f*** is David Archuleta. I guess I travel in different circles.

February 19 2010 at 9:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pam

How come they don't do a song for all the people here in the states who are starving, homeless and need medical treatment? I do feel sorry for Haiti but there are so many here that need help and nothing is being done about it. Where I live, they just found a 79 year old homeless woman frozen to death under a bridge. Come on people, do something for your own country!!

February 02 2010 at 4:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Pam's comment
Robin

I totaly 100% agree with u.I Have a friend That has cancer and no medical insurence and no oncoligist will help her she needs chemo and radiation if she doesn't get it she will die, so u are rite we need money here for people like her.

February 02 2010 at 1:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ashley

How about David Archuleta??? :

February 02 2010 at 12:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ashley's comment
Linda

Absolutely! They really missed out on something special. Still a good cause and great group of talent, but the powerhouse Archuleta fans would have been a big boost to sales.

February 02 2010 at 7:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply