USA for Africa
Appearance
USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa), was the name under which forty-five predominantly U.S. artists, led by Harry Belafonte, Kenny Rogers, 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; critics, however, claim that this money went directly to the (often military) governments of the affected countries rather than the people.
A recording of the live performance was released with the Live Aid DVD set released on November 8, 2004.
Performers
- Dan Aykroyd (The only Canadian, and one of two non-American performers)
- Harry Belafonte
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Kim Carnes
- Ray Charles
- Mario Cipollina (Huey Lewis & The News)
- Johnny Colla (Huey Lewis & The News)
- Bob Dylan
- Sheila E.
- Bob Geldof (The only Irishman, and one of two non-American performers)
- Bill Gibson (Huey Lewis & The News)
- Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates)
- John Oates (Hall & Oates)
- Sean Hopper (Huey Lewis & The News)
- James Ingram
- Jermaine Jackson
- Jackie Jackson
- LaToya Jackson
- Marlon Jackson
- Michael Jackson
- Randy Jackson
- Tito Jackson
- Al Jarreau
- Waylon Jennings
- Billy Joel
- Cyndi Lauper
- Huey Lewis
- Kenny Loggins
- Bette Midler
- Willie Nelson
- Jeffrey Osborne
- David Paich
- Steve Perry
- The Pointer Sisters
- Steve Porcaro
- Kenny Rogers
- Diana Ross
- Lionel Richie
- Smokey Robinson
- Paul Simon
- Bruce Springsteen
- Tina Turner
- Dionne Warwick
- Stevie Wonder
See also
- Charity record
- Band Aid
- Comic Relief
- Children in Need
- ChildLine
- Hear 'n Aid
- Live 8
- Live Aid
- Northern Lights
- Sport Aid
- Sport Relief