Official USA for Africa logo
USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) was the name under which forty-seven 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. This super group was inspired by Bob Geldof's Band Aid.
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,[who?] however, claim that this money went directly to the governments (often military) 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] Songs Recorded
- We Are the World (USA for Africa)
- If Only for the Moment, Girl (Steve Perry)
- Just a Little Closer (Pointer Sisters)
- Trapped (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band)
- Tears Are Not Enough (Northern Lights)
- 4 the Tears in Your Eyes (Prince)
- Good for Nothing (Chicago)
- Total Control (Tina Turner)
- A Little More Love (Kenny Rogers)
- Trouble in Paradise (Huey Lewis and The News)
[edit] Performers
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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"What a Fool Believes"* performed by The Doobie Brothers (Jeffrey Baxter, John Hartman, Keith Knudsen, Michael McDonald, Tiran Porter, Patrick Simmons)
produced by Ted Templeman (1980) |
"Sailing"* performed by Christopher Cross
produced by Michael Omartian (1981) |
"Bette Davis Eyes"* performed by Kim Carnes
produced by Val Garay (1982) |
"Rosanna" performed by Toto (Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, Steve Porcaro)
produced by Toto (1983) |
"Beat It" performed by Michael Jackson
produced by Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones (1984) |
"What's Love Got to Do with It"* performed by Tina Turner
produced by Terry Britten (1985) |
"We Are the World"* performed by USA for Africa
produced by Quincy Jones (1986) |
"Higher Love" performed by Steve Winwood
produced by Russ Titelman & Steve Winwood (1987) |
"Graceland" performed by Paul Simon
produced by Paul Simon (1988) |
"Don't Worry, Be Happy"* performed by Bobby McFerrin
produced by Linda Goldstein (1989) |
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