The historic recording "We Are The World" featured forty-five U.S. pop stars unite to fight famine in 1985.

GUILHERME CORREA

Harry Benson

Paul Simon, Kim Carnes and Michael Jackson.

   Harry Belafonte wanted to do something to help the africans after he watched the T.V. film of an Australian doctor working in Ethiopia, caring for a starving child and surrounded by thousands of others. Harry picked up the phone and called to Ken Kragen, a personal manager. Kragen suggested making the sort of record that British rockers had made in 1984 ("Do They Know It's Christmas?").

   Kragen worked day and night to join some of the most important recording artists, including Quincy Jones to produce the cut and Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie to write the song. He did all this in just 28 days!

   So Harry Belafonte, Ken Kragen, Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, Quincy Jones and Kenny Rogers.created a non-profit foundation incorporated in California named United Support of Artists for Africa (Usa For Africa). 90% went to Africa and 10% was used to help the hungry and homeless in the United States.

   "Ken Kragen, who put the project together with Quincy Jones called one day and explained this whole project, explained that Lionel and Michael Jackson had written this song, and, did I want to be a part of it? So, 'Yeah, of course,' and it was awesome. We got a call to show up at 7:30, 8 o'clock at night, and as everyone filed into the studio, there was a big sign over the door that Quincy Jones had put up: 'Leave your egos at the door.' And from that time on, the night was just magical." - Kim admited to Ken Paulson in a 2003 interview.

H.Benson/K.L.Chung/H.Diltz/S.Emerson

Kim Carnes, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross: historic recording

   January 22, 1985 - The basic instrumental track was recorded, Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson did add a vocal "guide" at Kenny Rogers' Lion Share Recording Studio on Beverly Boulevard.

   January 24, 1985 - Tom Bahler and Quincy Jones matched each solo line with the right voice.
   50 cassettes of the song were duped for the invited performers. Enclosed was a letter from Quincy Jones which part of it said: "The cassettes are numbered, and I can't express who important it is not to let this material out or your hands. Please do not make copies, and return this cassette the night of the 28th..."

   January 26, 1985 - At the "choreography" session in Lionel Ritchie's house, decisions are made as to where each artist will stand. Each performer's name would be on a piece of silvre gaffer's tape on the risers at A&M studios.

   January 28, 1985 - Once the song was written and everyone was at A&M studios, Quincy Jones did the chorus work first, then went for the solos. Then Kim sung the last line: "when we stand together as one".

   "I think maybe the neatest time was, in between singing, we took a little break, and everyone had sheet music, and everybody started taking their sheet music around to other musicians, getting autographs, and it was great. That was really a memorable, wonderful, wonderful night." - Kim said to Ken Paulson.

H.Benson/K.L.Chung/H.Diltz/S.Emerson

Bob Dylan, Kim Carnes and Lindsey Buckingham on the backstage.

   There was a familiar atmosphere on the air. Kim had recorded her first A&M album there in 1975. She was living her lucidy dreams. Some of her first idols were there: Bob Dylan and Smokey Robinson. Before this event Kim had already worked with the follow studio pals: Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Lindsey Buckingham, Kenny Rogers and James Ingram.

   Some musicians as David Paich , Steve Porcaro (both of them from Toto) and Paulinho da Costa participated too. The recording session took 12 hours!

   "Everyone was so gracious and just did a great job, you know. By the time we left, the sun was up, and no one was tired, I mean, there was so much energy in that room." - Mrs. Carnes admited to Ken Paulson.

H.Benson/K.L.Chung/H.Diltz/S.Emerson

Kim Carnes, Steve Perry, Lindsey Buckingham and Kenny Rogers having some fun.

   The album (LP and cassette) also featured 9 previously unreleased songs performed by Chicago, Huey Lewis & The News, Steve Perry, The Pointer Sisters, Prince & The Revolution, Kenny Rogers, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tina Turner and Northern Lights (formed by canadian singers as Bryan Adams, Joni Mitchell, Anne Murray).

   March 7, 1985 - "We Are The World" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #21 and peaked #1 on April 13 in USA and remained the position for 4 weeks. The single sold 7.5 million copies in USA and the album sold over 3 million copies.
We Are The World" project (single, album, video, merchandise) raised about $64 million, second Ken Kragen's official website.

"We Are The World" also won 4 Grammy Awards in February/1986: "Record Of The Year," "Song Of The Year," "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal" and "Short Form Music Video."

   Kim Carnes has participated of several events of charity: "Carols By Candlelight," "Children Advocacy's Fall Event," "Alive Hospice Benefit In The Round," "Children's Advocacy Center Of Hamilton County," "Sister Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series," etc. In 1996 Mrs. Carnes participated of chorus of "Country Music's Quest For A Cure" singing the song "Hope".

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