Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, three Jonas Brothers, two Beach Boys, Pink, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Usher, Akon, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Toni Braxton, Snoop Dogg and Josh Groban. And oh yes, BARBRA.
What could bring all that star power together, for a video filmed by award-winning director Paul Haggis? A desire to help the people of Haiti.
This is the rebirth of “We Are the World,” a song first recorded to help the people of Africa in 1985. The original, by a one-time only, all-celebrity effort called USA For Africa, raised $63 million. The new single, a 25th anniversary version originally planned to raise funds for Africa, will instead go to support the nation of Haiti in the aftermath of their devastating earthquake, reported the L.A. Times. It will premiere Feb. 12 on NBC during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, with the hope of attracting huge audiences, that will then purchase and download the song – with funds raised going to Haiti.
Not enough stars for you? Try Celine, Kanye and Keith (Urban). And more.
Children of the 80s, who remember our musical icons’ participation, will be waiting to compare the new version with its 25-year-old cousin – undoubtedly missing Michael Jackson’s unforgettable vocals on the chorus and the bridge, and Ray Charles bringing it home.
What’s your favorite moment in the original? Lionel Richie’s thumbs-up, the presence of other nameless Jacksons? The random appearance by Dan Aykroyd? Which celeb are you most excited to see in the next version of the song? Will Kanye interrupt everyone or bring a vocoder with him? Do we think Vince Vaughn can sing? Tell us, Idol Chatterers.
posted February 3, 2010 at 4:11 pm
i will download this as soon as its released…absolutely…check out this article to see the original “we are the world” — it’s so moving as i’m certain the remake will be!
http://www.tonic.com/article/josh-groban-takes-tonic-inside-the-we-are-the-world-remake/
posted February 4, 2010 at 9:56 am
This is good news to Haiti.There’s the buiding of Haiti,not rebuilding as the news unfolded yesterday.And there’s the resurrection of Michael Jackson’s Charity project,”We are the world”.The world always becoming better place to live when there were people lending helping hands to our less fortunate brothers and sisters,Praise God,hallelujah.I’m not going to make any comparison
between these two Charity works,because absolutely,and surely,there’s only one and only purpose,and i am sure both were beautiful.