USA for Africa

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USA for Africa

Background information
Also known as United Support of Artists for Africa
Origin United States
Years active 1985
Website USAforAfrica.org
Former members
See Performers

USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) was the name under which forty-five predominantly U.S. artists, led by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, recorded the hit single "We Are the World" in 1985. The song was a US and UK Number One for the collective in April of that year.

The considerable profits from the enterprise went to the USA for Africa Foundation, which used them for the relief of famine and disease in Africa and specifically to 1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia; critics, however, claim that this money went directly to the (often military) governments of the affected countries rather than the people.

USA for Africa also held a benefit event, Hands Across America, in which approximately seven million people held hands in a human chain for fifteen minutes along a path across the continental United States. Participants paid ten dollars to stand in line and the money raised was used to fight hunger and homelessness in Africa.

The combined revenues raised from the sales of "We Are the World" and Hands Across America was almost $100 million.

[edit] Performers

chronologic

  • Lionel Richie (There Comes…)
  • Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder (when the world...)
  • Stevie Wonder (there are people dying...)
  • Paul Simon (oh, and it’s time to lend a hand)
  • Paul Simon & Kenny Rogers (the greatest gift of all)
  • Kenny Rogers (we can't go on…)
  • James Ingram (that someone somewhere…)
  • Tina Turner (we are all a part of…)
  • Billy Joel (and the truth…)
  • Billy Joel & Tina Turner (love is all we need)
  • Michael Jackson (We are the world…)
  • Diana Ross (there’s a choice…)
  • Michael Jackson & Diana Ross (It’s true we'll make a better day…)
  • Dionne Warwick (Well, send them your heart…)
  • Dionne Warwick & Willie Nelson (lives will be stronger and free…)
  • Willie Nelson (As god has shown us…)
  • Al Jarreau (And so we all must lend a helping hand)
  • Bruce Springsteen (We are the world…)
  • Kenny Logins (We are the ones to make…)
  • Steve Perry (there’s a choice we’re making…)
  • Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates) (it’s true we'll make a better day, just you and me)
  • Michael Jackson (when you’re down and out…)
  • Huey Lewis (but if you just believe…)
  • Cyndi Lauper (well, let’s realise that a change...)
  • Kim Carnes (When we)
  • Carnes, Lewis & Lauper (stand together as one)
  • (1 1/2 Refrains ALL)
  • Bob Dylan (there’s a choice we’re making)
  • (1 Refrain ALL)
  • Ray Charles (there’s a choice we’re making)
  • Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen (we are the world…)
  • Stevie Wonder (there’s a choice we’re making)
  • Refrains (Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen)
  • Bruce Springsteen (there’s a choice we’re making)
  • (1 Refrain ALL)
  • James Ingram (we are the world)
  • Ray Charles (there’s a choice we’re making)
  • Chorus (Fade) (ALL)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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