25 years after the original version was recorded, a new batch of stars convened at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, CA to re-record the charity anthem We Are The World in an effort to raise money and awareness for Haitian Relief. 25 years ago, We Are The World was written and recorded in an effort to raise money for African Aid so it is very fitting that the song would be remade for the people of Haiti. Here are a few photos from inside the recording studio yesterday for this momentous occasion:
Producers were putting the final touches Tuesday to a remake of “We Are The World” with stars such as Barbra Streisand, Wyclef Jean and Celine Dion lending their support for Haiti’s quake victims. It was 25 years ago that Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen joined others at the famed A&M Studios in Hollywood for an all-star recording of the same song to benefit famine relief in Africa. That effort, USA for Africa, raised 63 million dollars. This time, dozens of other A-listers — who also include Usher, Lil Wayne, Pink, Natalie Cole and the Jonas Brothers — took to the same soundstage late Monday for an hours-long recording that dragged into the night. The aim is to raise money to help survivors of the massive January 12 quake that killed 170,000 people and devastated what was already the poorest country in the Americas. No cameras were allowed inside, but the song’s producers said “We Are The World – 25 For Haiti” will air during NBC television’s coverage of the opening of the Winter Olympics on February 12. More than 70 stars — many of them hip-hop artists — lent their voice to the effort, none of them participants in the original recording. Rapper Wyclef Jean, a Haiti native, said in a statement he was “proud to be joined by so many members of the artistic community that want to support the region and have donated their time and talents to providing an effective way for the global community to get involved with helping the Haitian population.” The original tune was co-written and produced by Jackson, who died June 25 of cardiac arrest, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. Richie and Jones produced the new version. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, who directed “Crash” and also co-wrote “Million Dollar Baby,” filmed the session for an accompanying video. “What an unbelievable group of people who have come together to give their voices, for a cause to start the healing of a people who have experienced a devastation of such magnitude,” said Richie. Among the other performers spanning a broad swath of genres and ages, from 83-year-old Tony Bennett to 15-year-old Justin Bieber, were Carlos Santana, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys. “It kind of hit me that I guess this is something way more important than I could have ever imagined,” rapper Lil Wayne, who is playing Bob Dylan’s part from the original recording, told a news conference. The recording was timed just a day after the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards to ensure the maximum number of stars would attend. The contemporary version of the song and the video will be available to buy through online and traditional retailers. Producers say all proceeds will go “directly” to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.
This is such a fantastic idea … what a great way to raise money for Haitian relief. It’s such a shame that Michael Jackson couldn’t be part of this redux but it was nice of Kanye West to wear one of MJ‘s jackets so that he could be there in spirit. I can’t even begin to express how much of an impact the original We Are The World had on me when it was released in 1985. I loved that song so much … I would sit by the radio and record it on cassette tapes every time it aired … I would have cassette tapes with just this song recorded on it over and over again. I’m really looking forward to hearing this version. I’m not sure why this report claims there were “no cameras” allowed in the studio because there were and a lot of photos have been made available. After the jump, check out some individual shots of some of the folks who participated in We Are The World: 25 Years for Haiti yesterday …
Barbara Streisand and Snoop Dogg, y’all … how awesome is that? I can’t WAIT to hear this new version of We Are The World … but while we wait for its release, let’s take some time to watch the music video for the original version recorded 25 years ago:
The facial expressions, the clothes, the hair … ah, memories. I can’t wait to hear which of the new batch of singers will get which parts of the song. So cool!!
[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source, Source]
maybe no personal cameras allowed?
@jessica — The celebs were Twitpicing as well so they had camera phones. The notion of “no cameras allowed” doesn’t exist in this day and age.
harlow!
Sometimes it feels like voices back then were more distinguished and memorable.
Harlow is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I am so glad they did this but that is all I can think when I see her little face. So sweet!
@ Trent Maybe its more of a contractual thing for the Olympics footage? I don’t know, you’re right. You’d think they would want as much publicity as possible to raise as much money as possible…
@jessica — I just think the person who wrote the article was not aware that there were cameras in the studio.
love that joel brought harlow with him- so cute. and LMAO over Weezie singing the Dylan part!
Maybe I’m missing her but I don’t see Heidi Montag. Okay. . .just kidding!! Can’t wait to hear it!! Loved the original! Our local radio station was having a contest this morning where they played three parts from the original song and you had to guess who each artist was. Fun!
Aww, memories.
I was obsessed with this song as well, and still get goose bumps when I hear it. I believe it was HBO who did a whole documentary about the making of the video and I would watch it over and over. I LOVE IT!!
Where’s Madonna and Justin Timberlake? Rihanna?
Haha, I love how after it was over Joel was twittering about how Harlow was flirting with Kanye and Carey Heart. I was laying in bed getting those tweets and just laughing. I can just imagine her batting her little eyes at Kanye and him being like “HOLD UP little girl! Imma hold you..but first I have to hold the note to this song, because it’s the greatest note in the world!” She is so freaking cute and definitely starting to look more like Nicole! Ughh looove them!!
yeah im kinda shocked justin timberlake isnt there…
but ugh..justin bieber (sp?) that kid…do.not.like.
and i love that joel brought harolow.cute!
@ nicole- justin beiber was probably only there because usher was…
@cherrr- ya thats was i figured…still doesnt make it any better lol
Wasnt it done on Justin’s bday after the grammy’s? i didnt even see him at the show, maybe he was celebrating
Is there a list of everyone that took part?
@krissy — I haven’t found a complete list yet but I’m sure one will come to light once the single becomes available for purchase.
I have only one question. Why Kanye wears MJ’s jacket? Does he deserve it at all?
Can’t believe Justin (Timberlake-of course) wasn’t in on this??? Still, I can’t wait. Trent, I used to do the same thing with the radio and tape recorder! LOL-Casey Casum’s weekly top 40!
Umm hello Vince Vaughn? WTF?
It’s really a minor thing, but wasn’t it released in 1985?
Why weren’t the original singers even invited? It leaves a bad taste in my mouth that they are propagandizing this…
@music – I thought the same thing, I think it’s a great idea, but why not ask the original singers, most of whom are still alive AND still in the business to come and sing it as well.
And while I am glad to see everyone stepping up to do something I can’t help but think about all of the other natural disasters that have happened on both US and international soil over the years and I feel like we didn’t do nearly enough for those efforts as we’re doing now. Why the change? What is so different? I feel like it’s a nice thing that we’re able to bring people together and give aid to those who need it, but I can’t help but ask why we didn’t go above and beyond like this for other disasters?
I wish/hope Madonna and Prince are included in this remake since they inexplicably weren’t part of the original.
…
1985 was such a great year for pop music and this song was DEF one of the reasons why … I used to get shivers down my spine when I’d hear it, especially the MJ part because I thought (and still think) that his voice sounded particularly beautiful in that recording, more beautiful than I’d ever heard it before or since that single came out. But really, the entire production was just amazingly epic. I’m looking forward to hearing the remake, but I’m a bit scared to hear it, too.
I agree Kent! I think MJ’s voice was even a bit haunting! Just gorgeous! Trent, I’m with you. I had my little cassette recorder and I always called in to the radio stations to request this, and later, Heal the World.
Did i just see Vince Vaughan?? Haha WTF… well at least its bringing the celebs together to do something great! I would really like to see some other celebs who couldn’t make it due to other plans or not being in the country, record some lines to add. But this nice enough. Altho, it doesn’t feel (without hearing it) as good as the first.
Vince Vaughn is like the new Dan Ackroyd.
OMG HARLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Omg she is so freakin’ cute I can’t even get over it!
I think it’s wonderful that a group of people can come together and do something to help their fellow man. I find it incredibly sad that some of you would make comments about why certain individuals were there. It doesn’t matter if you like them or not, they are giving back and that deserves your praise not judgement.